Call for more recruits as DHealth reaches 10,000 participants

More than 10,000 Australians have joined a QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute study investigating vitamin D’s role in our health.

The D-Health trial is one of the world’s biggest studies to establish the role vitamin D plays in preventing a range of diseases.

Associate Professor Rachel Neale says the 10,000 milestone is an extraordinary achievement but the study still has a long way to go to reach the target of more than 20,000.

“Vitamin D is often considered the latest ‘magic bullet’ for everything from cancer and heart disease, to multiple sclerosis and mental health,” Associate Prof Neale said.

“Australia spends $150 million each year on Vitamin D testing but we don’t really know what blood level patients should be aiming for.

“It is really important that we separate fact from fiction so that we can provide informed advice about vitamin D supplements.”

D-Health is launching a new recruitment drive for more people aged between 60 and 84 to join up for the study which will track their health over five years.

Participants are supplied with tablets – either a supplement or a placebo – and are required to take one a month for the duration of the study.

Associate Professor Neale says some participants are nearing their first anniversary with D-Health.

“We will start to send new tablets and annual surveys out to our volunteers soon, asking some questions about their health and how they feel,” Associate Professor Neale said.

To volunteer for D-Health phone the helpline on 1300 735 920 or visit the study website at dhealth.qimrberghofer.edu.au

“It requires very little time commitment but will make an enormous difference to our understanding of vitamin D’s role in preventing disease,” Associate Professor Neale said.

D-Health is funded by a research grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).