Our policy work
The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, also known as Children of the 90s) is one of the world’s longest-running studies of families, following parents, children and now grandchildren for over 30 years.
By tracking people across their lives and linking to health, education and environmental records, ALSPAC provides unique evidence about how early life experiences shape health, wellbeing and life chances.
This evidence helps governments, health services and communities make better decisions and design more effective policies and support.
Contact us
We encourage you to get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
Lynn Molloy, Chief Operating Officer (lynn.molloy@bristol.ac.uk)
Kyara Martin, Research Project Officer (kyara.martin@bristol.ac.uk)
Our impact
Over the past 30+ years, our research findings have contributed towards a greater understanding of the causes of poor health and wellbeing. Please see a selection of past briefings, case studies, and recent research below.
We work with PolicyBristol, the University of Bristol's policy unit, to share briefings on our key findings.
Please see a selection of past briefings below.
- Better support is needed for young people vulnerable to abuse in intimate relationships
- The causes of cancer: implications for policy and practice
- Children who fail to meet UK dietary guidelines have worse cardiometabolic health as young adults
- Eating disorder symptoms and self-harm are linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Paediatric incontinence: early identification and treatment needed to prevent mental health problems
We are constantly publishing new research findings. View our published papers here: www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/researchers/publications/
Find some of our most impactful recent papers here: www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/news/
Key research areas
Children of the 90s (ALSPAC) covers a range of factors which impact health and wellbeing. Some of our focus areas include:
- Multimorbidity and disease mechanisms
- Pregnancy, birth and reproductive health
- Multi-generational and family influences
- Climate and environmental impacts on health
- Chronic and complex conditions, including mental health
- Demographic change and ageing
- Health inequalities and life-course outcomes
Our data
The study has a wide variety of data types from different cohort groups over the past 30+ years. This includes questionnaires, face-to-face measures, biological samples, and linked data e.g. GP records and education.
We can advise you on the datasets that could be most useful for your work. Please get in touch using the contact information above.
Useful links
Explore our data and samples
Learn more about accessing data and samples
Our participants