GrassrootsHealth is conducting a research study to find out more about vitamin D status and health outcomes. There will be approximately 50,000 participants worldwide. The purpose of this study is investigate the health outcomes of large population groups that achieve serum hydroxyvitamin-D levels of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) and to compare them with the general population. It is estimated that more than 1 billion of the world’s population is deficient and it is this study’s intent to highlight the benefits of solving that deficiency. Cedric F. Garland, Dr. P.H., Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Member, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, is the lead investigator of this study.
Your participation in the study will involve a two times per year vitamin D blood spot test and filling in a health questionnaire online for a period of 5 years. Based on your own personal health condition and consultation with your physician, it is expected that the serum level target would be the 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) and that appropriate steps would be taken to achieve that level.
Participation in this study has no known risks. Participants are expected to be under their own physician’s medical care. Participants will be informed of any significant new findings.
There may or may not be any direct benefit to you from this study, however, it is expected that significant reductions in the incidence of many diseases from breast cancer, colon cancer, type 1 diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal pain compared to the general population. The investigator, however, may learn more about these and other topics.
There is a fee for participation in the ‘open arm’ of the project. This part of the project is funded by a grassroots effort and, as such, the vitamin D blood spot test has a fee of $40.00/test. Participants are responsible for this cost. The subscription schedule includes options of a one-time test, a 2 times/year test for 1 year or a 5 year subscription each with 2 tests/year. Payment is only made at the time of the test. Participants may be part of a clinic where there is no fee to GrassrootsHealth for the test. Special codes are provided by the clinic for this participation.
Participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You may refuse to participate or withdraw at any time without penalty.
Research records will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. The data submitted on the questionnaire and the results of the blood spot test will be used by the researchers to evaluate the health outcomes. This data is used by the researchers without any of your identifying personal information.
You will be told if any important new information is found during the course of this study that may affect your wanting to continue.
You may print a copy of this consent document to keep and the Experimental Subjects Bill of Rights PDF.