How to get a free gut health analysis and help Cahokia Heights sewer research

Researchers are looking for volunteers from Belleville and other metro-east communities to share some details about their health as part of an ongoing study in Cahokia Heights, where it regularly floods and sewage spills out of city pipes.

Anthropology professors Theresa Gildner from Washington University in St. Louis and Tara Cepon-Robins from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are studying whether living conditions and environmental factors like those in Cahokia Heights affect a person’s gut health and inflammation.

Preliminary results so far show some Cahokia Heights residents have elevated intestinal inflammation and some have a bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, which is believed to spread through contact with feces or contaminated food or water.

Researchers want to use information from residents in neighboring communities to compare to residents in Cahokia Heights.

New study participants will receive a $25 gift card and free information about their gut health. Participation will involve a health history interview with researchers and a finger prick blood sample. Participants will also receive a collection kit to take home to provide researchers a stool sample. 

Researchers are coming to the metro-east to collect the information and samples from those interested in participating between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays from July 28 to Aug. 22 at four locations in Belleville, Cahokia Heights and Fairview Heights:

• Cahokia Public Library, 140 Cahokia Park Drive in Cahokia Heights
• The REC community center, 9950 Bunkum Road in Fairview Heights
• Equity Legal Services office, 10220 Lincoln Trail Suite A in Fairview Heights
• The Abbey coffee shop, 5801 W. Main St. in Belleville

Here is the schedule of where researchers will be for the first week of collection:

• Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31: Equity Legal Services office

• Friday, Aug. 1: Cahokia Public Library and The REC

A weekend date is also scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Cahokia Public Library.

Information about future dates will be published on the 2025 data collection calendar on the researchers’ website, reachresearch.org.

Interested residents can set up an appointment by calling 618-417-7348. Walk-ins are also welcome.

This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 5:45 AM.