If you are not yet familiar with The 10,000 Families Study (10KFS), we want to share information about the very first long-term study about Minnesota’s families. 10KFS is seeking families to join us on a journey to understand the mysteries behind families’ health! We are a cohort study led by a group of experienced University of Minnesota researchers from the School of Public Health and Medical School and supported by the Masonic Cancer Center. We aim to understand why some families live longer and healthier and how risk of illness is transmitted through generations. To do this, we are studying the roles that genetics, lifestyle, and environment play in family health and illness.
10KFS wants to address the varied and unique health needs of Minnesota. We differ from other states in many ways, including having both large rural and large urban populations, with contrasting environmental exposures. Furthermore, communities of color are growing in numbers. Today 25% of all new births in the state are from those communities. Equally important, Minnesota has 11 American Indian reservations and a large urban American Indian population–more than most cities and states.
10KFS gathers and analyzes health information from participants that can be used over time to develop better advice on how to live a healthy life and to guide policies to promote health and reduce illness for ALL Minnesotans. Our team of experienced University of Minnesota researchers and staff is committed to engaging with the Minnesota community and sharing what we learn.
We welcome all families from different races, ethnicities, and personal backgrounds living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. 10KFS is including everyone regardless of health status, including cancer survivors and their loved ones, in order to make discoveries to advance healthcare and public health for future generations.
How can you join this project?
If you live in Minnesota and are 18 years or older, you can take our short eligibility survey!
If your family is eligible:
- We will ask you to invite family members who live in Minnesota, or any neighboring state (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin)
- Every family member who agrees to participate will need to complete an online health questionnaire
- Every family member will need to attend a health visit for measurements and sample collection*
How do we thank our participants?
- We include each participant in a drawing for a $250 Amazon gift-card after they complete the health questionnaire.
- At the end of the health visit each participant receives a $25 gift-card. We also send them results from their health visit.*
Please visit our website for COVID-19 updates on health visits.
If you or your organization or community group would like to partner with us, we always welcome ideas and opportunities to collaborate.
We cannot do it without you! Please consider joining us by linking to the eligibility survey.
To learn more about 10KFS, visit our new and improved website.
