How Do I Become a Research Volunteer? from NCDHR

Every year, about 80,000 medical and health research projects are conducted with approximately 2.3 million men and women participating as research volunteers. A research volunteer voluntarily agrees to be in a research study such as clinical trial or a survey. That may seem like a lot, but it's less than 1 percent of the total population in the United States (U.S. News & World Report,
posted April 1, 2008).

In recent decades, new knowledge from health research has positively impacted our quality of life. For example, better early detection and treatment of a certain disease prevents it from becoming severe or fatal. Or, interventions were made enabling affected people to improve their lifestyle behaviors to reduce risk of getting chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, there are not enough research volunteers, causing many more important health research projects to be scaled back or delayed. Become a research volunteer!

It is important to realize that joining a research study may or may not help you
directly. Joining is strictly voluntary. There are laws and regulations that make sure research volunteers are protected from being harmed by research.
The Office for Human Research Protections at the U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services has produced a pamphlet, "It's Your Decision" (see link on left). It explains that as a research volunteer, you should know what you're getting into; ask questions; learn as much as you can and know the pros and cons. It's your decision!

If you are interested in becoming a research volunteer for NCDHR, please contact us. Your participation as a research volunteer will lead to new knowledge that will promote a healthy Deaf community!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• research
• volunteer
• asl
• Deaf
• NCDHR