Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Indiana Health Study?
How many people will be in the Indiana Health Study?
Why is it important to participate in the Indiana Health Study?
Why study the population of Central Indiana?
What diseases are being studied?
How can I participate?
If I become part of the Indiana Health Study, what is going to happen?
What happens to my blood sample and information after it is in the repository?
How is my privacy protected?
Will researchers know that my blood sample and information came from me?
Will I benefit from this study?
What if I change my mind and want to withdraw from the study?

What is the Indiana Health Study?
The Indiana Health Study is collecting information about the population of Central Indiana that will make it possible for researchers to learn more about the causes of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The results of the Indiana Health Study may lead to new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat chronic disease and make Indiana healthier for generations to come. toptop

How many people will be in the Indiana Health Study?
The Indiana Health Study is intended to last for many years and include thousands of people. It will include people who are healthy as well as people with heart disease, cancer and other diseases. The study’s success depends on the participation of the Indiana communities.  toptop

Why is it important to participate in the Indiana Health Study?
This is your chance to be part of research that will lead to better treatments for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Your participation will help make Indiana healthier for your children and grandchildren. Community participation is essential to the success of the Indiana Health Study. toptop

Why study the population of Central Indiana?
Central Indiana is an ideal site for longitudinal cohort studies. The population is ethnically diverse and has high rates of heart disease, cancer and diabetes as well as high rates of smoking and obesity that increase the risk of developing these diseases. In addition, Indiana's stable residency will make follow up of study participants easier, increasing the scientific value of the study.  toptop

What diseases are being studied?
The Indiana Health Study is currently studying coronary artery disease, a type of heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.  toptop

How can I participate?
We are currently enrolling participants in several primary and specialty care clinics located throughout Central Indiana. If you are interested in being part of the Indiana Health Study, please contact us at info@indianahealthstudy.org or call us at 317-238-7050. toptop

If I become part of the Indiana Health Study, what is going to happen?
The first thing is that you will give us your permission to be in the study. Your participation in the study is always voluntary. If you give permission to be in the Indiana Health Study, a study coordinator will ask you questions about your health and will draw a sample of blood. The information and blood sample you provide will be collected and stored in a protected bank called a biobank. Once a year, we will contact you by telephone to update your health information.  toptop

What happens to my blood sample and information after it is in the biobank?
Your blood sample and information, along with hundreds of other blood samples and information, will be made available to researchers to learn more about the causes of common chronic diseases. Personal information that can identify you, such as your name, address, and birth date, is never given to researchers. The results of their research may lead to new drugs and diagnostic tests that will allow doctors to better manage chronic diseases, and will make Indiana a healthier place. toptop

How is my privacy protected?
The Indiana Health Study takes many precautions to keep your blood sample and information safe and secure. Information that could identify you such as your name and address is removed and your sample and information are given a unique identifier. No information that could identify you is ever released to researchers.  toptop

Will researchers know that my blood sample and information came from me?
No. Information that could identify you, such as your name and address, will be removed from your blood sample and information before it is given to researchers. This process is known as de-identification.  toptop

Will I benefit from this study?
The benefit of being part of the Indiana Health Study is to your family and the community. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping make Indiana healthier for generations to come.  toptop

What if I change my mind and want to withdraw from the study?
You can leave the study at anytime. The choice to be in the Indiana Health Study is always yours.  toptop