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Launched on Monday, September 16, the Albane study led by the health authorities aims to collect new data on the health of the French to improve prevention policies. In total, 3,000 participants (and maybe you!) will be solicited by the end of 2026.
Better understanding the evolution of chronic diseases in France, and what can influence them (eating habits, environment, etc.): this is the objective of the major two-year study launched on Monday in France.Albane survey led by Public Health France and the National Agency for Food and Environmental Safety (ANSES) wishes to use this information to better adapt prevention policies to each age group.
Who will be affected by this study?
The selection of participants will be done by drawing lots from an INSEE database and must be representative of the French population. We are therefore all concerned. This recruitment will be done in two stages:
- From September to December 2024: In order to test the system, the survey is first deployed to 400 people in several areas located in the Ile-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions. This first phase is used to prepare the deployment, in spring 2025, of the survey at the national level;
- From May 2025: The survey is being rolled out in mainland France with more than 3,000 people. This constitutes the first cycle of the survey, which will end in December 2026. The cycles will then be repeated every two years, indicates the Santé publique France website.
Participation will, however, remain optional and voluntary.
Objective: adapt prevention policies
Albane aims to gain a better understanding of the health status of the French population in order to help public authorities guide health and prevention policies. As the survey is repeated, it will enable in particular:
- to describe the frequency of chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity or high blood pressure;
- to report exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, bisphenols, phthalates or perfluorinated compounds (PFAS);
- to better understand the eating habits and level of physical activity of the population.
Questionnaires, health checks… What tests are required?
Those who agree to participate in the Albane study will be asked to complete a questionnaire on family, housing, diet and lifestyle habits.Some participants will also have to wear an accelerometer for a week to measure their level of physical activity.” indicates the site.
Then comes a period of health tests and check-ups: participants will have to go to a medical biology laboratory for a health examination: measurements of height, weight, muscle strength and blood pressure. Urine tests will also be carried out, as well as blood tests for participants over the age of six. Participants will then be questioned about any chronic diseases they may have, tobacco use and exposure to specific chemicals, which is called biomonitoring.
Santé Publique France assures us that all this data will remain anonymous. However, volunteers will have the advantage of having access to their medical analysis results.
The first results will be available from 2027 and those concerning biomonitoring from 2028.
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