Public support for the use of newborn screening dried blood spots in health research

Objectives: The level of support among Michigan adults for the use of residual newborn screening dried blood spots (DBS) was investigated. Methods: We analyzed data from 4 questions on the 2008 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 3,108). The questions asked about general support for the use of DBS for research and for research investigating childhood diseases, adult diseases and diseases related to environmental exposures. Results: The majority of adults (72.3%) favored the use of DBS for research intended to benefit the health of residents. With more question specificity, a higher proportion of adults (84.2%-86.8%) were found to favor the use of DBS for research, and a lower proportion had no opinion. The odds of favoring use were higher among those who were younger, female, white, healthy, or with at least a high school degree. Conclusions: This is the first population survey of adult attitudes regarding use of DBS for different types of health research, with results showing considerable public support. The findings are being used in community outreach efforts and highlight the need to investigate opposition in vulnerable populations.