BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Born in Bradford

Documentaries

Factual

Winifred Robinson reports on research involving children born in Bradford 2007-2009.

Radio 4 has been given exclusive access to research involving the families of children born in Bradford 2007-2009. Winifred Robinson charts their progress over the years.

Born in Bradford: Child development and attainment

14/12/2018

Child development and attainment

BBC Radio 4 - Born in Bradford, Child development and attainment

Winifred Robinson tracks the lives of the 14,000 families taking part in Born in Bradford.

Winifred Robinson has been alongside the Born in Bradford research for over a decade and reports on the latest findings as the 14,000 youngsters included reach secondary school.

Beginning in 2007 researchers have recruited 14,000 mothers and babies across this city. Each has donated blood and tissue samples and completed a lengthy questionnaire, running to 42 pages, detailing diet, family structures, relationships, incomes, mental and physical health. The project is run by Professor John Wright, a consultant clinical epidemiologist at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, who said that Born in Bradford had set in motion a quiet revolution in the city:

“There’s much more recognition that just being part of the study has made mothers much more aware of diet and health and many say they have made changes to improve their health.

“What’s also interesting is the effect it’s had on galvanising the city – when we set out on the study we didn’t realise it would become part of the city’s.”
“This spotlight of research makes you think about your health much more: because we’re always asking questions it does trigger changes and the other aspect of it is the results that the study is producing. We’ve found very clear evidence about being in green spaces and the impact on the future long term health of the baby,” says Professor Wright.

The research began in response to poor health in the city and high levels of child morbidity and mortality. Bradford had child mortality rates twice the national average – and rising at a time when they were falling everywhere else. Radio 4 has been given exclusive access to this research and to some of the families taking part, returning year after year to chart progress in a series of documentaries.

Producer: Sue Mitchell

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Born in Bradford

Child development and attainment

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4