León hosts major Spanish biomedical research study

The Impact project, Spain’s largest biomedical research and public health macro-study, has begun its initial phase in the Castilla y León region. The initiative, led by the Health Department and the Carlos III Health Institute, aims to monitor the health of 200,000 Spaniards over a 20-year period, including 12,000 participants from Castilla y León.

León serves as a strategic hub for the study, specifically representing the rural population with approximately 50,000 residents. Health centers in areas such as Ribera del Órbigo, Astorga, La Bañeza, Santa María del Páramo, and La Magdalena are participating in the process.

Participants undergo comprehensive evaluations, including arterial stiffness tests, 3D echocardiograms, respiratory capacity assessments, cognitive tests, and muscle strength evaluations. By integrating genetic, environmental, and social data, researchers intend to develop personalized preventive medicine capable of predicting risks for conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cardiac diseases years in advance.