The cohort directory is a collection of UK population cohorts. The aim of the directory is to signpost users to individual cohorts to maximise the use and translation of findings of these valuable UK assets.
It has been developed in response to recommendations in the MRC Strategic Review of the Largest UK Population Cohort Studies.
The information included in the cohort directory provides a high level overview of the cohort profile and type of variables and data collected.
1970 British Cohort Study
The 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) follows the lives of more than 17,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales in a single week of 1970.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59
- Anthropometric: height, weight, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: Smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
Read more about the 1970 British Cohort Study.
Aberdeen Children of the 1950s
The Aberdeen Children of the 1950s (ACONF) study is a population based resource for the study of biological and social influences on health across the life-course and between generations.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, blood pressure
- Physical: respiratory, reproductive
- Psychological: cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, marital status
Read more about the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s.
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
Based at the University of Bristol, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as Children of the 90s, is a world leading birth cohort study.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
Born in Bradford
Born in Bradford (BiB) is a long term study of a cohort of 13,500 children, born at Bradford Royal Infirmary between March 2007 and December 2010, whose health is being tracked from pregnancy through childhood and into adult life.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Find out more about Born in Bradford.
Boyd Orr Cohort Study
The Boyd Orr cohort is an historical cohort study carried out by the University of Bristol School of Social and Community Medicine to investigate the long term impact of children’s diet, growth, living conditions and health on adult cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about Boyd Orr Cohort Study.
Breakthrough Generations Study
The study involves over 110,000 women recruited between 2004-2009 from the general population from whom information has been gathered about factors that might relate to breast cancer risk or protection.
Categories
- Gender: female
- Sample size: 100,000 to 499,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference
- Physical: musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, urine
Read more about the Breakthrough Generations Study.
British Regional Heart Study
The British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) is a prospective study in middle-aged men drawn from general practices in 24 British towns; 7,735 men were recruited in 1978-1980.
Categories
- Gender: male
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine
British Women’s Heart and Health Study
The British Women’s Heart and Health Study (BWHHS) is a prospective cohort study of heart disease in over 4000 British women between the ages of 60 and 79.
Categories
- Gender: female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about the British Women’s Heart and Health Study.
Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies 1
The Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies 1 (CFAS 1) study started in the late 1980s with the initial aim of investigating dementia and cognitive decline in a representative sample of more than 18,000 people aged over 65 years.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, other
Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies 2 (CFAS 2)
Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies 2 (CFAS 2) based in England and Wales started in 2008, and builds on the design and infrastructure of CFAS I. It will provide data on generational and geographical differences including people in institutions.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: saliva, other
Determinants of Adolescent Social Wellbeing and Health
Determinants of Adolescent Social Wellbeing and Health (DASH) is a study of a multi-ethnic adolescent cohort in London which investigates social and biological influences on ethnic differences in health and wellbeing in adolescence.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, saliva
Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
The Dunedin Longitudinal Study investigates the health, development, and behaviour of a cohort of births born between April 1972 and March 1973 in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study.
East London Genes and Health
East London Genes and Health (ELGH) is a large scale, community genomics and health study, tracking people of British-Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage living in east London.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 20,000 to 49,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: ethnic group
- Biological samples: blood, saliva
Read more about the East London Genes and Health.
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
The primary objective of English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) is to collect longitudinal multidisciplinary data from a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and older.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, saliva, other
Read more about the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study
The Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study aims to build knowledge about children’s disruptive behaviour such as oppositional, conduct, hyperactive and inattentive behaviour.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, other
Read more about the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study.
European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, Oxford
The Oxford component of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, Oxford (EPIC-Oxford) is a prospective cohort of 65,000 men and women living in the UK, many of whom are vegetarian.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 50,000 to 99,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, Oxford.
European Prospective Investigation of Cancer, Norfolk
The Norfolk component of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer, Norfolk (EPIC – Norfolk) recruited over 30,000 people from 1993 to 2000. EPIC-Norfolk participants are men and women who were aged between 40 and 79 when they joined the study and who lived in Norwich and the surrounding towns and rural areas.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 20,000 to 49,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, education, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, urine
EXCEED: Extended Cohort for E-health, Environment and DNA
EXCEED is a longitudinal population-based cohort which facilitates investigation of genetic, environmental and lifestyle related determinants of a broad range of diseases and of multiple morbidity through data collected at baseline and via electronic healthcare record linkage.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, ethnic group
- Biological samples: saliva
Read more about EXCEED: Extended Cohort for E-health, Environment and DNA.
Gemini: Health and development in twins
Gemini is a large population-based twin birth cohort study of 2400 families recruited from all twin births between March and December 2007 in the UK.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 0 to 9
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Lifestyle: physical activity, dietary habits
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: other
Read more about Gemini: Health and development in twins.
Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study
Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (GS:SFHS) is a research study looking at the health and wellbeing of volunteers and their families. The study recruited probands and their family members. Recruitment ended 10/05/2011.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 20,000 to 49,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group
- Biological samples: blood, urine
Read more about Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study.
Growing up in Scotland
Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) is a large scale longitudinal research project aimed at tracking the lives of several cohorts of Scottish children from the early years, through childhood and beyond. Over 14,000 children were recruited between 2005 and 2011.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
Read more about Growing up in Scotland.
Hertfordshire Cohort Study
The Hertfordshire Cohort Study comprises a nationally unique study of 3,000 men and women born during the period 1931-1939 and still resident in the English county of Hertfordshire.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, other
Read more about the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.
INTERVAL
INTERVAL participants are healthy blood donors who took part in a 2 year trial to investigate optimum blood donation intervals.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 20,000 to 49,999
- Age: 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Biological samples: blood
Life Study
Life Study was an ambitious, complex, and innovative study led by University College London that aimed to track the development, health and wellbeing of around 80,000 UK babies and their parents. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) agreed that Research Councils’ funding for Life Study would discontinue early 2016.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 50,000 to 99,999
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference
- Physical: respiratory, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, other
Read more about Life Study.
Lothian Birth Cohort 1921
The participants of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 (LBC1921) were recruited to the project because they had taken part in the Scottish Mental Survey 1932. The surveys had, respectively, tested the intelligence of almost every child born in 1921 or 1936 and attending school in Scotland in the month of June in those years.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921.
Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
The participants of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936) were recruited to the project because they had taken part in the Scottish Mental Survey 1947. The surveys had, respectively, tested the intelligence of almost every child born in 1921 or 1936 and attending school in Scotland in the month of June in those years.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, other
Read more about the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936.
Million Women Study
The Million Women Study is the largest study of women’s health in the world. In 1996-2001, a quarter of UK females then aged 50-64 years (1.3 million women) joined the study. The aim is to provide reliable information on potentially modifiable causes of common and serious illnesses, to help improve individual and public health.
Categories
- Gender: female
- Sample size: 500,000+
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about the Million Women Study.
MRC National Survey of Health and Development Cohort 1946
The MRC National Survey of Health and Development Cohort 1946 Birth Cohort (NSHD/ 1946BC) has informed UK health care, education and social policy for more than 50 years and is the oldest and longest running of the British birth cohort studies.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about the MRC National Survey of Health and Development Cohort 1946.
Newcastle 85+ Study
The Newcastle 85+ Study is the biggest and most comprehensive population-based longitudinal study of health and ageing in the over-85s anywhere in the world and is providing new insights into health factors as the population becomes older.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about the Newcastle 85+ Study.
Northern Ireland Cohort Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Northern Ireland Cohort Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA), is Northern Irelands’ long term study of ageing in the over 50’s, with 8,500 participants randomly selected from the free living population.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about the Northern Ireland Cohort Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Orkney Complex Disease Study
The Orkney Complex Disease Study (ORCADES) is a genetic epidemiology study based in an isolated population in the north of Scotland.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, other
Southall and Brent Revisited
The Southall And Brent Revisited Study (SABRE) is the largest tri-ethnic population-based cohort in the UK, involving nearly 5,000 European, Indian Asian and African Caribbean men and women.
Categories
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva
Read more about Southall and Brent Revisited.
Southampton Women’s Survey
The Southampton Women’s Survey (SWS) is the only study in Europe of women and their children, for which information was obtained from the mothers before conception of the child. The aim is to learn more about the dietary and lifestyle factors that influence the health of women and their children.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, urine, other
Read more about the Southampton Women’s Survey.
The Airwave Health Monitoring Study
The Airwave Health Monitoring Study is a long term observational study following up the health of police officers and staff across Great Britain, with the ability to monitor both cancer and non-cancer health outcomes through data linkage.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 50,000 to 99,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine
Read more about the Airwave Health Monitoring Study.
The Health and Employment After Fifty study
The need in many countries to work longer raises important questions concerning the health risks and benefits of extended working life, its feasibility in those with problems of ageing, and how best to support and maximize the wellbeing of older workers. The Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study addresses these questions.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
The Millennium Cohort
The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) is a multi-disciplinary research project following the lives of around 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000-01. It is the most recent of Britain’s world renowned national longitudinal birth cohort studies.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: saliva,other
Read more about the Millennium Cohort.
The National Child Development Study 1958
The National Child Development Study (NCDS) 1958 Birth Cohort follows the lives of 17,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales in a single week of 1958.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, saliva
Read more about the National Child Development Study 1958.
The Whitehall 2 Study
The Whitehall 2 study was established in 1985 to investigate the importance of socio-economic circumstances for health by following a cohort of 10,308 working men and women aged 35 to 55 at enrolment.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about The Whitehall 2 Study.
Twins Early Development Study
The Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) is one of the foremost ongoing twin studies of its kind in the world.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 10,000 to 19,999
- Age: 0 to 9, 10 to 19
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: other
Read more about the Twins Early Development Study.
TwinsUK
TwinsUK was set up in 1992 and is currently based at the Department of Twin Research, King’s College London. Its initial main aim was to investigate the incidence of osteoporosis and other rheumatologic diseases.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 5,000 to 9,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva, other
Read more about TwinsUK.
UK Biobank
UK Biobank is a major national health resource, and a registered charity in its own right, with the aim of improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses – including cancer, heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, eye disorders, depression and forms of dementia.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 500,000+
- Age: 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, housing, education, ethnic group, social support
- Biological samples: blood, urine, saliva
Read more about the UK Biobank.
UK Women’s Cohort Study
The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) began in 1994 and is one of the largest cohort studies investigating associations between diet and cancer in the UK. A large cohort of over 35,000 middle aged women has been created encompassing a wide range of different eating patterns, including diets currently of interest to research into protection against cancer and coronary heart disease.
Categories
- Gender: female
- Sample size: 20,000 to 49,999
- Age: 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, reproductive
- Psychological: cognitive function
- Lifestyle: Smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, saliva, other
Read more about the UK Women’s Cohort Study.
Understanding Society
Understanding Society began in 2009 and is a unique and valuable academic study that captures important information every year about the social and economic circumstances and attitudes of people living in 40,000 UK households.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 100,000 to 499,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: respiratory
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood
Read more about Understanding Society.
Viking Health Study Shetland
The Viking Health Study Shetland (VHSS) is a genetic epidemiology study based in an isolated population in the north of Scotland.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status
- Biological samples: blood, urine, other
Read more about the Viking Health Study Shetland.
West of Scotland 11-16 and 16+ Study
The 11 to 16 Study was a school-based study of health and health behaviours which followed a cohort living in a predominantly urban area in and around Glasgow City.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision
- Psychological: mental health
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study
The West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study (Twenty-07) study was set up in 1986 in order to investigate the reasons for differences in health by socio-economic circumstances, gender, area of residence, age, ethnic group, and family type.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Age: 10 to 19, 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 100
- Anthropometric: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure
- Physical: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, hearing and vision, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: blood, saliva
Wirral Child Health and Development Study
The Wirral Child Health and Development Study was established in 2007 to identify early social, emotional and biological risks and processes involved in the development of childhood conduct problems.
Categories
- Gender: male, female
- Sample size: 0 to 4,999
- Anthropometric: height, weight
- Physical: cardiovascular, reproductive
- Psychological: mental health, cognitive function
- Lifestyle: smoking, dietary habits, alcohol
- Socio-economic: occupation, finances, family circumstances, housing, education, ethnic group, marital status, social support
- Biological samples: saliva
Read more about the Wirral Child Health and Development Study.
Last updated: 26 February 2024