Orange County is the only county in California selected to participate in the National Children’s Study, the largest, long-term study of children’s health and development ever to be conducted in the United States. In fact, Orange County is just one of eight Vanguard sites in the entire United States – sites where the study will be implemented for the first time.

The study will collect information on 100,000 children in 101 locations across the country, tracking their growth, and development to age 21. The study includes the wide range of biological, physical, genetic, social, cultural and other factors that affect health and development. It should yield new insights into asthma, allergies, genetics, obesity, heart disease, and the health impact of neighborhood planning and construction.

The results of this study, as they are reported, will help Orange County better understand and respond to the health and developmental needs of children.