GuLFOMBattachment17NEWAppendix_R_-_Active_Follow-up_Sub-cohort_Pre-visit_Appointment_Cover_Letter

Appendix R:

Active Follow-up Sub-cohort Pre-Visit Appointment
Cover Letter

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GuLF ID:

[Participant Name]
[Participant Address 1]
[Participant Address 2]
[Participant City, State, ZIP]
[Date]
Dear [MR/MS. FIRST AND LAST NAME]:
Thank you for joining the GuLF Study. I appreciate the time you took to complete the telephone
interview. On behalf of the entire research team, I welcome you to this major study on potential
health effects of oil spill clean-up. Every person who joins the study is important.
Thank you for allowing one of our trained Medical Assistants to visit your home. Recently,
[MR/MS. FIRST AND LAST NAME] called you and scheduled a visit at [TIME] on [WEEKDAY],
[MONTH] [DATE]. Please take a few minutes to read the enclosed instructions - How to
Prepare for your Home Visit and Urine Collection Instructions.
When [MR/MS LAST NAME] arrives, [he/she] will review the Informed Consent Form with you.
Be sure to ask any questions you have before you sign it. During the visit, you will be asked to
complete the following study activities:
•

Allow our staff to measure your blood pressure, height, weight, hip and waist
circumference, and lung function

•

Provide blood, hair, toenail, urine, and saliva samples

•

Complete a health interview

•

Allow our staff to collect a dust sample from your home

After the visit, we will give you a report with the results of measurements and tests we did. In the
future, we will ask you to update your health and contact information. We will also send you
regular newsletters about study progress and findings.
I am very grateful for your help with this study. I look forward to staying in touch with you over
the coming years.
If you have any questions or need to reschedule your visit, please call the GuLF Study toll-free
at 1-855-NIH-GULF (1-855-644-4853). Our hours are Monday through Saturday (9am – 9pm)
and Sunday (12pm – 6pm) [LOCAL TIME]. Our website is www.nihgulfstudy.org.
Sincerely,

Dale Sandler, PhD
GuLF Study Principal Investigator

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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health

Version 0.2 (12/21/10)

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