Participants needed for Whitehall II study (Stress & Health study)

The study aims to better understand how social and personal factors in people's lives affect their health, and specifically the health of their heart, cardiovascular system and mental wellbeing. The study has already made important contributions to understanding the effects of working conditions on health.

For more information about the study, including a detailed report titled Work, Stress & Health, please visit our website.

We are now beginning the next phase of the study and are looking for volunteers aged 50 years and over to pilot our study. We are particularly interested in people between the ages of 60-80 so please do forward this e-mail on to those who might be interested.

• The pilot will involve you completing a questionnaire during the end of October 2011. Earlier the following year, you will also be invited to have a free medical examination at our clinic based in Central London (Camden Road) during 17-27th January 2012.
• The paper and pen questionnaire will be sent to you by mail and you can complete it in your own time. It contains questions ranging from your general health to your work and life circumstances.

The medical examination will take between 3.5 to 4 hours and will include a range of tests. These include blood pressure, heart functioning assessed via an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other measures, a test of your walking speed and physical functioning, together with blood tests for cholesterol and diabetes and a couple of computerised tests.

Light refreshments will be available at the clinic.

Each volunteer will receive the results of some of the tests and all travel costs to and from the clinic will be paid.

All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and used for pilot study purposes only. Once you have received the results of your tests, your personal details will be deleted from our records.

Our measures and procedures have been approved by the NHS National Research Ethics Services, NRES Committee London Bentham. REC Ref: 85/0938 and we aim for the best possible clinical and professional practice.

If you would like to participate, please contact Stephanie Smith

on 020 7679 5621

or on our freephone number 0800 068 1562

or via e-mail to s.c.smith@ucl.ac.uk

or at

Stress and Health Study

Department of Epidemiology & Public Health

University College London

1-19 Torrington Place

London WC1E 6BT

If you are already taking part in the Stress and Health study, please wait for your personal invitation to the next phase of the study.

Stephanie Smith, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health