Adventists: A “National Treasure” Update on Adventist Health Study-2 Eminent Stanford University researcher, Professor Ralph Paffenbarger, has stated, “Adventists are a national treasure for health research because of their diversity in diet.” Paffenbarger was for many years an external consultant to the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Study and values the major health discoveries from the earlier Adventist health studies. The recognition of this national treasure during the last 45 years has only been possible with the participation of large numbers of Seventh-day Adventists and the contribution of over $30 million of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a result, more than 200 research articles have been published in scientific journals. We’ve Made a Promise The Loma Linda researchers believe that the best is yet ahead. They expect many more pioneer findings from the current Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) as long as sufficient members are involved. This new study, which began in 2002, now has 75,000 participants. But we need more than 105,000 participants to meet our commitment to NIH and to make AHS-2 a truly significant and viable study that will have international impact. The first five years of funding from NIH ends in 2006. Our challenge, during 2005, is to sign up at least another 30,000 members. Only then can we have the guarantee of another five years of funding to achieve our goals to discover evidence of the best types of foods and lifestyles that enhance health and reduce cancer risk. You Cannot Spoil the Outcome All Adventists, regardless of their diets or lifestyles, contribute equally to the results. It is the diversity of diet among Adventists that give us a unique edge for this type of research. Gary Fraser, director of AHS-2, says, “We certainly need many more Adventists with all dietary lifestyles. But it would be especially helpful to have more non-vegetarians, more men and more vegans.” Members can enroll by calling (877) 700-7077 or by visiting the Web site: adventisthealthstudy.org. Some Early Results In the latest descriptive analysis of the first 63,000 members in the study, we find that 65% of participants are female, the average age is 60 years, and 58% of females and 62% of males are overweight. When it comes to the foods we eat, 30% eat two or more eggs a week, about 40% never eat cheese, and women eat more fruits and vegetables than men. Other results can be found in the 2004 newsletter at the AHS-2 Web site. North Pacific Union Response There has been a great response to the Adventist Health Study-2 from North Pacific Union members with 11,675 having returned questionnaires. North Pacific has the highest achievement level of any union. Churches in Alaska show a good response without any official promotion. However, to reach the union goal, we need another 4,066 surveys. Loma Linda asks all participants to help their church recruit more members. Extra enrollment forms are available by calling (888) 558-6297. Sidebar (Place in a box.) An Appeal for Northwest Participation A successful completion to the Adventist Health Study-2 will be a significant benefit not only to the Adventist community but to the U.S. population in general. God has blessed this church with special counsel on diet and health. He wants us to be an example to the world now. In recognition that millions of dollars have been donated by the National Institutes of health (NIH) to fund this study, lets do our part by participating in this historic research project. Jere D. Patzer, president North Pacific Union Conference
Adventists: A “National Treasure”
Update on Adventist Health Study-2
Eminent Stanford University researcher, Professor Ralph Paffenbarger, has stated, “Adventists are a national treasure for health research because of their diversity in diet.” Paffenbarger was for many years an external consultant to the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Study and values the major health discoveries from the earlier Adventist health studies.
The recognition of this national treasure during the last 45 years has only been possible with the participation of large numbers of Seventh-day Adventists and the contribution of over $30 million of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a result, more than 200 research articles have been published in scientific journals.
We’ve Made a Promise
The Loma Linda researchers believe that the best is yet ahead. They expect many more pioneer findings from the current Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) as long as sufficient members are involved. This new study, which began in 2002, now has 75,000 participants.
But we need more than 105,000 participants to meet our commitment to NIH and to make AHS-2 a truly significant and viable study that will have international impact.
The first five years of funding from NIH ends in 2006. Our challenge, during 2005, is to sign up at least another 30,000 members. Only then can we have the guarantee of another five years of funding to achieve our goals to discover evidence of the best types of foods and lifestyles that enhance health and reduce cancer risk.
You Cannot Spoil the Outcome
All Adventists, regardless of their diets or lifestyles, contribute equally to the results. It is the diversity of diet among Adventists that give us a unique edge for this type of research. Gary Fraser, director of AHS-2, says, “We certainly need many more Adventists with all dietary lifestyles. But it would be especially helpful to have more non-vegetarians, more men and more vegans.” Members can enroll by calling (877) 700-7077 or by visiting the Web site: adventisthealthstudy.org.
Some Early Results
In the latest descriptive analysis of the first 63,000 members in the study, we find that 65% of participants are female, the average age is 60 years, and 58% of females and 62% of males are overweight. When it comes to the foods we eat, 30% eat two or more eggs a week, about 40% never eat cheese, and women eat more fruits and vegetables than men. Other results can be found in the 2004 newsletter at the AHS-2 Web site.
North Pacific Union Response
There has been a great response to the Adventist Health Study-2 from North Pacific Union members with 11,675 having returned questionnaires. North Pacific has the highest achievement level of any union. Churches in Alaska show a good response without any official promotion. However, to reach the union goal, we need another 4,066 surveys. Loma Linda asks all participants to help their church recruit more members. Extra enrollment forms are available by calling (888) 558-6297.
Sidebar (Place in a box.)
An Appeal for Northwest Participation
A successful completion to the Adventist Health Study-2 will be a significant benefit not only to the Adventist community but to the U.S. population in general.
God has blessed this church with special counsel on diet and health. He wants us to be an example to the world now. In recognition that millions of dollars have been donated by the National Institutes of health (NIH) to fund this study, lets do our part by participating in this historic research project.
Jere D. Patzer, president
North Pacific Union Conference
