The survey's other results show a significant desire for the greatest medical advances of the next 50 years to be in the areas of childhood diseases and conditions of ageing. These polled 37% and 30% respectively. Only 20% of respondents want to see the greatest developments achieved into conditions primarily affecting adults.

The results come at a time when Action Research is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of funding medical research into conditions affecting all age groups. The charity's work has led to important healthcare improvements including the first polio vaccine, hip replacement surgery and medical ultrasound scanning.

The society is itself highly concerned with the health issues of premature birth, a condition that costs the NHS some £200million a year. Research has proven that those babies go on to suffer from language and learning difficulties, along with behavioural problems, later in life. Nearly one in ten of all babies are currently born prematurely.

John Grounds, director of campaigns and communications at Action Research, commented "It comes as a real surprise that only 7% of the public wanted to see the greatest advances made into conditions relating to pregnancy and birth. Research has proved that it is imperative to give children the best possible start in life to help avoid mental and health problems in later years. Advances resulting in methods preventing premature birth should play a major part in medical research in the 21st century."

MORI's survey was based on 2,031 (male and female) interviews with adults aged 15 plus between 18 to 22 October 2001. All interviews were conducted face to face.



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