The current phase of the EPIC-Norfolk study is the Third Health Check. As our Norfolk population now fall in the 50-89 age-group, it is critically important to have more information on diseases and health endpoints of relevance to the older population and how these have an impact on our daily lives and make us more prone to serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.Repeat assessments in this phase include a follow-up health questionnaire, a 7-day food diary and the same physical measures taken at the first and second health checks: height, weight, hip, waist and chest measurements, blood pressure, lung capacity, heel-bone ultrasound, percent body fat and a blood sample. New assessments in this phase include memory and cognition tests and a thorough eye exam. See Assessments in the Third Health Check and Eye Examinations for further information. To read about the EPIC Public Meeting/Launch where results and feedback were discussed, see Public Meeting.

The third health check was piloted in Attleborough from September 2004 through to 2006 as the EPIC-Norfolk 2004 Study. The results of the pilot have shown that up to 12 years on, most participants in the cohort are still eager to take part in the study. The pilot study provided a valuable testing ground for a third health check and was used to identify areas of interest and methods of measurement looking at the aspects of healthy aging. The positive response to the pilot study contributed to the decision to embark on a full third health check.

Due to the large amount of specialist equipment being used in the third health check, we have set up a central clinic based at Bertram Diabetes Research Satellite Unit, Norwich Community Hospital (formally known as the West Norwich Hospital). We have a friendly team of all-new, fully trained nurses and a local co-ordinator who manages the daily running of the clinic (see below for details). Appointments are arranged directly with the participant by the EPIC nurse, who will then send details relating to the appointment. The appointment lasts approximately 2.5 hours, which is longer than previous health checks. This is due to this health check being far more comprehensive than those carried out previously.