The Million Women Study is one of the largest studies of women’s health in the world. Over 1.3 million UK women were recruited into the study between 1996 and 2001 and have been followed for health outcomes ever since. The study was initially set up to provide reliable information on the risks associated with different types of menopausal hormone therapy (popularly known as HRT), but was designed to be able to provide information on the effects of many other factors that could affect women’s health as they age.
The Million Women Study is coordinated by a team of researchers in the Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Oxford Population Health, University of Oxford, and led by the Principal Investigators Professor Gillian Reeves and Associate Professor Sarah Floud. To date, some of the most important findings from the study have been on:
• the association of menopausal hormone therapy use with the risk of female cancers;
• the effect of lifelong smoking on women’s health;
• the burden to health associated with overweight and obesity.
Could you help us improve our research by:
• Giving your opinion on the scope of the study?
• Sharing your input on the research currently being undertaken?
• Shaping our dissemination activities?
We are looking to recruit one public contributor to join our Million Women Study Advisory Committee for a three-year period. Ideally we are looking for a woman aged over 50, to match the gender and age range of the participants recruited into the study.
We do not expect you to have a background in research or have formal medical knowledge. We are looking for someone who has an interest in older women’s health and is willing to listen and engage in open discussions about the study.
The Committee meets annually, either online or in person, usually for two hours, with additional ad hoc meetings convened when the need arises. Minutes are taken at each meeting and circulated to the members. An agenda and documents will be circulated in advance of the meetings. The public contributor would need to read these before the meeting.
The Chair of the Committee is responsible for the running of the meeting. Everyone is expected to listen to and behave respectfully towards each other to enable all views, opinions and voices to be heard. Committee members are expected to inform the administrator if they will be late or cannot attend a meeting, and if they think they have any conflicts of interest. All discussions are confidential to enable open discussion of work that may not yet be in the public domain. If appropriate, relevant training will be provided.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Leandros (Leo) Tsiotos at ppie@ndph.ox.ac.uk giving:
• a summary of your background;
• why you would like to join the Committee;
• what you think you can contribute to the Committee.
We will evaluate all applications and let you know the outcome. If you are shortlisted, we may invite you to an informal chat. The deadline for applications is Sunday 8 December 2024.
Reimbursement
Public contributors will be paid expenses for their time (during and outside meetings) and any travel if needed in line with the Oxford Population Health payment policy for public contributors (the rate is currently £25 per hour of involvement).
Date required
Deadline for applications: Sunday 8 December 2024.
Organisation
Oxford Population Health
Contact
Leandros (Leo) Tsiotos, Senior Public & Patient Involvement & Engagement Officer: ppie@ndph.ox.ac.uk
www.ndph.ox.ac.uk/patients-and-the-public