For participants

I’m having trouble logging in. What should I do?
If you don’t know your GUTS participant ID, or if you have any other difficulties logging in, just email guts@channing.harvard.edu, and we’ll be glad to help.

I haven’t heard from the study in a while. How do I update my contact info?
Log in to update your contact info, or send an email to guts@channing.harvard.edu.

I’m no longer “growing up.” When does the study end?
GUTS is a longitudinal cohort study that follows its participants throughout their lifetimes. As long as funding allows, we will continue to ask participants to update us on their health and experiences. Our research continues to evolve as participants reach new phases of adulthood.

Am I still in this study?
Absolutely! The longer you stay active in the study, the more valuable your participation becomes. Even if it’s been a while since you last participated, we encourage you to complete the most recent questionnaire.

I skipped some past questionnaires. Can I still participate?
Yes, we encourage you to complete the most recent questionnaire. Your participation is still valuable! We’ve improved the GUTS experience to make it as easy as possible for you to stay with us for years to come.

What does participation involve?
Participating in GUTS consists of completing a short online questionnaire approximately every 6-12 months. Occasionally you will have the option to participate in sub-studies that focus on specific topics like parenting, environmental exposures, the microbiome, and asthma.

What if I’m not comfortable answering a question?
Feel free to skip it—you can always choose to skip any question for any reason. If you have feedback you’d like to share, you can email us at guts@channing.harvard.edu.

What has changed since GUTS started?
The study is always changing and adapting to reflect what we learn from GUTS participants. As participants move through adulthood, we collect information about relationships, work, living environment, and parenting. The new Fathers and Families Study is examining dads’ roles in their children’s health. See how GUTS questionnaires have evolved over time.

What do you do with my data?
GUTS data are used by researchers around the world, resulting in hundreds of publications. Here’s how we protect your confidentiality.

How is GUTS funded?
GUTS is primarily supported through grants from the National Institutes of Health.