Study Locations
Families who participate in the National Children’s Study will come from 105 Study locations (counties or groups of counties) across the United States. All locations were selected using a scientifically based method to ensure children and families across the nation—from diverse ethnic, racial, economic, religious, geographic, and social groups—are included in the Study. The Study locations strategy was chosen based on the input from a national panel of experts and reviewed by working groups and the National Children’s Study Federal Advisory Committee. The Study locations selected include 79 metropolitan areas (urban, suburban, and small cities), as well as 26 rural communities. All Study locations will enroll women who are either pregnant or likely to have a child during the recruitment period. For more information on Study participants, see the Participants section.
The National Children’s Study will be conducting a preliminary pilot study, known as the Vanguard Study, in a total of 37 Study locations. The Vanguard Study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of three different recruitment strategies, as well as Study procedures and outcome assessments to be used in the Main Study. More information about the Vanguard Study and these recruitment strategies can be found on the Study Design page.
Summary of National Children’s Study Location Information
43 states have National Children’s Study locations.
37 locations currently enrolling
35 locations not currently enrolling
33 potential future locations
There are a total of 120 counties throughout the United States that are involved in the National Children’s Study.
Please note that a National Children’s Study location may comprise of one or more counties (boroughs or parishes) within a state or across states.
Study Centers
Study Centers are contractors that carry out the research and conduct the Study at selected Study locations. They work within their designated Study location(s) to recruit participants and collect and process data.
The success of the Study in each location will require the collaboration of researchers, government officials, health care workers, social service agencies, and community groups, such as schools, churches, local governments, and others. For example, Study Centers have established community advisory boards with community representatives to provide input to ensure a successful effort tailored to local interests.
For detailed lists of the Study locations and Centers, see: