The BC Generations Project is launching a new questionnaire and this time we want to know about all the places you’ve worked over your lifetime. Our new online Occupational History Questionnaire will collect workplace information from the nearly 30,000 British Columbians enrolled in the Project. Your answers will allow us to explore exposure risks that may be related to the work environment, such as hazardous materials or air pollution, commuting distances, or shift work.

As a longitudinal cohort study, the BC Generations Project regularly collects health information from the same group of individuals over several decades. This approach allows us to track health changes and disease outcomes across a population over time.

The information from the Occupational History Questionnaire will be added to the data we’ve already collected through previous questionnaires regarding participants’ residential history and health & lifestyle. This will create an even richer resource for research into the causes of cancer and other chronic diseases. Keep an eye out for your invitation to complete the questionnaire. In the meantime, it may be helpful to check your files to confirm employment dates and locations.

What work history should I include?

The Occupational History Questionnaire asks you to provide details about every job or occupation you have held for at least three months in Canada or elsewhere. All full-time, part-time, seasonal work, volunteer work and military service should be included.