Earlier this week, we kicked off a string of pop-up university clinics by taking one of our mobile testing units to Kingston University.

And the response was phenomenal, with students eager to take a break from lectures and seminars to sign up to the programme.

“We had 36 sign-ups on the first afternoon alone, and the enthusiasm of the students has been palpable,” said Jasmine Denton Fontaine, Our Future Health’s senior community engagement officer.

“They’re really keen to find out more about health research, and to make a difference to future generations.”

‘It was so easy to take part’

Art Foundation student Mia said she felt lucky to come from a family with no real health issues and joined up because she wanted to help other families to become disease-free too.

“It was such a small sacrifice of my time, and just so easy to do,” she said. “The staff were lovely, and I really feel like I’ve made a difference today.” 

Yagmur, 20, a law student, who lives with a lung condition caused by exposure to passive smoke, agreed that being able to walk straight into the mobile testing unit made the programme instantly accessible.

“When I saw Our Future Health’s yellow van on campus, I just thought, ‘Why not?’” she said. “It was so easy to take part.”

Like so many of the students we met, Yagmur, whose family is Iranian, takes her health seriously. “I go to the gym and cook from scratch. I like the idea of helping people to live longer in the future.”

‘I’d like to see more research into dementia’

Fellow law student Khalil, 19, is also health conscious. “I look after myself and have zero health issues, and I decided to join Our Future Health because it felt like the right thing to do.

“I’d like to see more research into dementia,” he said. “Some of my friends’ grandparents have been affected and it’s such a cruel disease that affects the whole family.”

Charlie, 22, an event organiser, who had previously signed up to the programme, was on campus to share his experience with students.

He too hopes that researchers using Our Future Health data will focus on conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

“Both these illnesses are in my family, and we need more research to understand them better,” he said.

“There’s so much health information out there now, but we still need to better understand major diseases.

“I’ve joined up to Our Future Health for my future children and for their children too.”

‘We need more research and recognition around women’s health’

Law student Maria, 20, wants to see more research into diabetes, heart disease, and female health. 

“I’ve had some gynaecological issues, but I’ve never felt like I’ve been taken seriously and that’s something I’d like to change,” explained Maria. “We need more research and recognition around women’s health.” 

It’s a view shared by Mia, who said: “As a young woman, it seems to me that women’s health and gynaecological wellness are both really neglected.

“An awful lot of money is invested in understanding male conditions like erectile dysfunction, but then female reproductive challenges like endometriosis are being overlooked.

“This inequality seems to run right through the health system. It urgently needs to change.”

Our Future Health will be visiting more universities over the coming months, with mobile clinics at Oxford University (Radcliffe Observatory) from 2-5 November and at the University of East London (Water Lane) 9-12 November.