About 800 people have volunteered for a provincial health study in Owen Sound.
But the doctor who is helping to spearhead the study wants more — at least another 14 hundred.
Doctor John McLaughlin visited City Council this week to talk about the Ontario Health Study that is underway in Mississauga and Sudbury as well.
The study’s goal is to monitor the long term health of approximately 150 thousand Ontarians in an effort to improve the prevention of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The study is open to people of all walks of life between the ages of 35 to 69 who will first have a two to three hour assessment.
Personal data will be collected from volunteers, as will blood and urine samples.
The study will follow up with them on an annual basis via postal mail, e-mail or telephone.
Doctor McLaughlin says about 800 people have begun taking part in the study since the Owen Sound office opened in May — but the goal is 22 hundred people.
Doctor McLaughlin says Owen Sound and Grey-Bruce were chosen for a variety of factors.
Those include the small urban centre with a significant surrounding rural population — and the high instances of heart disease.
Anyone interested in being part of the study can call 1-866-606-0686 seven days a week, or visit the website www.ontariohealthstudy.ca