As an affiliate charity, Fight for Sight is hopeful that the health programme will improve the future of vision loss research.
Our Future Health started two years ago back in October 2022 and have now reached a key milestone of 1 million full participants. This means that they have a blood sample, health records and questionnaire responses for 1 million people.
Having such a large data pool means that we might be able to identify what factors may place people at higher risk for certain diseases, and even help us prevent or treat them in the future.
Speaking about Our Future Health, Head of Research and Programmes at Fight for Sight, Emma Blamont, said: “As a funder, Fight for Sight is happy to see so many people participating in Our Future Health. Large datasets such as these have a vital role in facilitating research into sight loss conditions, providing insights which will translate to better prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies in the future.”
Fight for Sight have previously funded work that used other large datasets, such as UK Biobank and 100,000 Genomes Project.
Our Future Health is aiming to reach a cohort of 5 million participants; a bigger cohort could help to better understand how to prevent all diseases, including those which are less common.
The programme now has the largest ever number of participants from under-represented groups in a health research programme. This is incredibly important because programmes like Our Future Health need a diverse cohort so that their findings are representative of the overall population.
“We want people from all backgrounds to be represented in Our Future Health, so that new discoveries can truly benefit everyone.”
A partnership with Tesco
Starting in November, Our Future Health will be partnering with Tesco. Clinics will be opening inside several Tesco stores, offering a convenient way for everyone to take part in health research.
The first Our Future Health clinics in Tesco stores will open in November 2024 in Tesco’s refurbished Cheshunt Extra store in Hertfordshire. At their clinic appointment, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers will be offered information about their own health, including their blood pressure.
Speaking about the partnership, Tesco Category Director for Health and Wellness, Tom Lye, said: “We are so pleased to be partnering with Our Future Health to help make it easier for our customers to volunteer for this important programme.”
Our Future Health is rolling out on a region-by-region basis to invite adults across the UK to join the programme. Volunteers who don’t live near a location where Our Future Health appointments are currently available can join now at ourfuturehealth.org.uk and be notified when new appointment locations become available. New locations will be announced on the Our Future Health website and social media channels.
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