Et bien voila, une étude qui est fort intéressante ! Je suis allé directement à la source. D’ailleurs, je vous donne le lien en bas de page. Mais avant, de quoi travailler un peu votre anglais. Je vous recommande d’aller voir les vidéos de présentation de l’étude. Oups, j’allais oublié les inscriptions sont close depuis le mois de septembre 2010. Bonne lecture….
PRESENTATION VIDEO : http://www.ukcosmos.org/aboutus.html
Why are we conducting this research?
Following the publication of the Stewart report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones in 2000, a programme of research, called the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR), was set up in the UK to look into the possible health impact of Mobile Telecommunications. The most recent report from the MTHR concluded that:
“…short term (less than ten years) exposure to mobile phone emissions is not associated with an increase in brain and nervous system cancers. However, there are still significant uncertainties that can only be resolved by monitoring the health of a large cohort of phone users over a long period of time.”
“The Committee is convinced that the best way to address these uncertainties is to carry out a large cohort study of mobile phone users, an approach that has also been rated as a high priority by the World Health Organisation.”
The UK COSMOS study has been funded by the MTHR, jointly supported by the Department of Health and industry, to carry out long term health monitoring of a large group of people so that we can identify any possible health issues linked to using mobile phones over a long period of time.
About this study
What is COSMOS?
COSMOS is an international cohort study on mobile phone use and possible long term effects on health.
What is a cohort study?
In a cohort study, the health of people who form the cohort is followed over a period of time. For this study the cohort is a large group of people who are using mobile phones in their daily lives.
How large will the COSMOS cohort be?
The UK cohort will follow the health of approximately 90-100,000 mobile phone users (18+ years of age) for 20 to 30 years. The international cohort will follow the health of approximately 250,000 European mobile phone users.
What is the purpose of COSMOS?
To carry out long term health monitoring of a large group of people so that we can identify if there are any possible health issues linked to using mobile phones over a long period of time.
Why is this research important?
Mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time. It is important that we begin now to monitor the health of a large group of people over a long period of time. Through this health monitoring, we will be able to resolve current uncertainties about possible long term health effects associated with this new technology. This research has been endorsed as a priority by agencies worldwide, including the Department of Health, the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA), the UK Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR), the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENHIR), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Following the publication of the Stewart report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones in 2000, a programme of research, called the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR), was set up in the UK to look into the possible health impact of Mobile Telecommunications. The most recent report from the MTHR concluded that:
“…short term (less than ten years) exposure to mobile phone emissions is not associated with an increase in brain and nervous system cancers. However, there are still significant uncertainties that can only be resolved by monitoring the health of a large cohort of phone users over a long period of time.”
“The Committee is convinced that the best way to address these uncertainties is to carry out a large cohort study of mobile phone users, an approach that has also been rated as a high priority by the World Health Organisation.”
Government information on mobile phone use and health is provided on the HPA website.
What health outcomes will be studied?
We will be looking at any changes in the frequency of specific symptoms over time, such as headaches and sleep disorders, and also the risks of cancers, benign tumours, neurological and cerebro-vascular diseases.
Who is conducting this study?
In the UK, Imperial College London is carrying out this research. COSMOS is an international study being conducted in a number of European countries. Details of our project partners can be seen here.
Who is funding this study?
The study in the UK is funded by the MTHR, an independent programme of research into mobile phones and health that is jointly supported by the Department of Health and industry.
Taking part
How have I been chosen for invitation into COSMOS?
Imperial College has asked your mobile network operator to identify a random selection of their customers to be invited to participate in this study. Your invitation pack was posted to you by your operator in order to maintain your confidentiality.
Why should I take part?
There are currently more than six billion users of mobile phones worldwide and in the UK there are 70 million mobile phone devices in use. It is important for current users, and for future generations, to find out whether there are any possible long-term health effects from this new and widespread technology that has become so central to our everyday lives.
Will I benefit if I take part?
You will be contributing to an important piece of research to benefit the health of current and future generations. In addition, as a small token, everyone who completes the online questionnaire by 30th June 2010 will automatically go into a prize draw to win one of 100 £25 high-street vouchers.
For full prize draw Terms and Conditions please click here.
Do I have to take part in COSMOS?
Taking part in this research is voluntary. Your decision will not affect your relationship with your mobile network operator.
What does taking part in COSMOS involve?
If you decide to take part, please visit the UK COSMOS website at www.ukcosmos.org and click on the link to the online questionnaire. You will need your secure ID number (found on your invitation letter) to log-in, provide your consent and answer questions on your mobile phone use, health, and lifestyle. Completing the questionnaire will take you approximately 30-45 minutes. If for any reason you are unable to complete the questionnaire in one sitting you will be able to save your answers and come back to the questionnaire at a later time.
The initial phase of the study is 5 years. During this phase, we will contact you approximately once a year to update your details if you change mobile network operator or to request additional information.
We will also follow your health records for at least 20 years but you will not need to do anything other than give us your initial consent.
What if I’m having trouble logging-in with my Unique ID?
Please be aware that all Unique ID’s (as supplied on your UK Cosmos invitation letter) are case-sensitive, and should be used exactly as they are printed. Each Unique ID follows the format [letter, number, number, number – letter, number, number, number]. Common misinterpretations involve the letters i & l and the numbers 1 & 0. If you are having any issues logging on please contact us on freephone 08000 270 270 or email ukcosmos@imperial.ac.uk for assistance.
What if I’ve received an invitation for a phone I don’t use?
We are aware that in certain circumstances the bill payer on a mobile contract may not actually use the mobile phone for which they are being billed (and received an invitation to take part in the study for). You can still take part in the study by entering your own mobile phone details when registering. If you do not use a mobile phone at all we would still encourage you to take part as we are studying a large cross-section of the UK population.
Information needed
What information is needed for this study?
For this study we need to collect information about 3 specific areas of your life.
These are:
- Your mobile phone use – the questionnaire covers your past and current use of mobile phones and other new technologies. This will be supplemented with mobile phone records from your network operator(s), such as the frequency and duration of your mobile phone use, both for your contract subscription & pay-as-you-go phones. This information will not include any details identifying phone numbers that you call or those of people who call you. In order to continue to obtain mobile phone records from your network operator(s) over the study follow-up period, it is important for us to know whether you have changed to a different network operator or changed phone number. You can keep us informed of any changes by clicking here, by emailing ukcosmos@imperial.ac.uk, or by calling freephone 08000 270 270 (Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5:30pm). Alternatively, we will obtain this information from network operators.
- Your health – the questionnaire covers aspects of your past and current health. Imperial College will follow your health directly through routine medical and other health-related records, e.g., cancer registrations, using your NHS number, linked to your name, address, and date of birth.
- Your lifestyle – the questionnaire covers aspects of your lifestyle such as smoking, diet, and exercise as these are relevant to your long term health.
Why do you need my consent?
We need your consent to comply with Data Protection laws and observe the common law duty of confidentiality owed to patients. This gives Imperial College your permission to hold and use information that identifies you. It also allows us to follow up on any changes to your health and obtain information from your mobile network operator(s) on your mobile phone use.
How can I withdraw my consent?
You have the right to withdraw at any time. If you are considering withdrawing from the study, please contact the freephone number 08000 270 270 (Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:30pm).
If you do decide to withdraw, you will have the following options concerning future contact and use of your data:
- No further contact – this means that COSMOS would no longer contact you directly, but would still have your permission to retain and use information provided previously and to obtain and use further information from your health records.
- No further access – this means that COSMOS would no longer contact you or obtain further information from your health records in the future, but would still have your permission to use the information provided previously.
- No further use – this means that, in addition to no longer contacting you or obtaining further information, COSMOS would destroy all of your information previously provided.
mobiles & health
Many reviews have concluded that there is no convincing evidence to date that mobile phones are harmful to health. However, the widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is possible that adverse health effects could emerge after years of prolonged use. Evidence to date suggests that short term (less than ten years) exposure to mobile phone emissions is not associated with an increase in brain and nervous system cancers. However, regarding longer term use, the evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgments has not yet been accumulated. There are still significant uncertainties that can only be resolved by monitoring the health of a large cohort of phone users over a long period of time.
Key reviews of research to date
A major report on mobile phones and health was published by the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones in 2000, known as the ‘Stewart report’ (1). This report was updated by a further review of mobile phones and health undertaken by the Advisory Group on Non-Ionizing Radiation (AGNIR) (2) and published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in 2005. Most recently, the independent Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research programme (MTHR), established in 2001 following the ‘Stewart Report’, published a report (3) describing research undertaken as part of its programme.
None of the research supported by the MTHR programme and published so far demonstrates that biological or adverse health effects are produced by radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones. The report also summarizes the current evidence base regarding mobile phones and health and identifies priorities for future research.
You can also learn more about mobile phones, mobile phone base stations, and health protection policy in the UK from the following websites:
References
- Mobile Phones and Health.
The Stewart report, UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, 2000. - Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.
National Radiology Protection Board, Volume 14, No. 2, 2003. - Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme: report 2007. Health Protection Agency, 2007.
You can find all informations directly on the link bellow.
Link (lien) : http://www.ukcosmos.org/index.html
http://www.ukcosmos.org/aboutus.html
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