Funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) infrastructure fund through the Medical Research Council, the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) will be led by Professor Cathie Sudlow.

 It will include participation of individuals from a range of backgrounds to analyse physiological, genetic and social determinants of health and health inequalities, and will track adolescents for a minimum of 10 years. 

The study will explore topics including diet, brain development, puberty milestones, young peoples’ interactions with digital and social media, mental health issues and lifestyle factors such as smoking and vaping.

Sudlow is currently working with young people to inform the initial pilot phase of the research, with participation recruitment set to take place primarily through schools.

Sudlow said: “I am excited to be leading the creation of the Adolescent Health Study resource. We are in a period of profound socioeconomic and cultural change. It is critically important that we understand the impacts on the health and wellbeing of young people.

“The study is already working actively with a young people’s advisory group. Young people are helping to shape the Adolescent Health Study, including our plans for recruiting and following participants, and the data and samples we will collect.”

MRC executive chair, Patrick Chinnery, said: “The study will become a key national infrastructure, contributing to the UK’s world-leading research assets, underpinned by a wealth of longitudinal population-based studies.

“It will learn from and complement other studies, such as the ESRC-led Early Life Cohort, and will be part of Population Research UK.”