Headlines - The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance launches the Esteban study on April 14, 2014!

Esteban, which stands for "Study of Health, Environment, Biomonitoring, Physical Activity, and Nutrition," focuses on several aspects of health: exposure to certain environmental substances, diet, physical activity, and certain chronic diseases or risk factors. Supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy, it is being conducted by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS). Esteban will measure exposure to potentially harmful substances present in our immediate environment (pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, etc.), as well as their sources, particularly in food. The estimated levels of exposure in the population will enable the establishment of national reference values. Esteban will study our dietary habits and consumption patterns, as well as our level of physical activity—factors that play a decisive role in the onset or prevention of certain chronic diseases—to supplement the data already collected during the National Nutrition and Health Survey (ENNS) conducted by the InVS in 2006 and 2007. Asthma, allergies, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol... a portion of our population suffers from these diseases or risk factors without knowing it, due to a lack of diagnosis. Esteban will measure the exact prevalence of these conditions in our population. Esteban will provide a better understanding of our health, its risk and protective factors, and will guide prevention and public health initiatives. Conducted approximately every 7 years, it will track changes in numerous health parameters over the long term and identify certain emerging trends. Esteban will be conducted in mainland France among a sample of 4,000 adults aged 18 to 74 and 1,000 children aged 6 to 17. You or your child may be randomly selected to participate in this study. This random selection is essential to ensure the reliability of the results and to provide an accurate picture of the health of the population living in France. The success of this project therefore depends on your consent to participate.