Overview of Datasets

Overview of Datasets

Military Life Course

 

Air Force Health Study (Ranch Hand Study) (AFHS)

Study Site: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Veterans/AirForceHealthStudyResearchAsset…
NIA link: N/A
AFHS Report link: Study details from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report: Disposition of the Air Force Health Study
Overview of Military Specific Variables: AFHS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: In 1979, the US Congress directed that an epidemiologic study be conducted to evaluate the frequency and nature of adverse health effects that might be related to exposure to Agent Orange and other military herbicides used during the Vietnam Conflict. AFHS is a long-term epidemiologic analysis of Air Force personnel who conducted aerial spraying of herbicides during the Vietnam War, involved Operation Ranch Hand veterans and a comparison group of Air Force personnel who served in Southeast Asia but who were not involved in herbicide spraying operations. The data and biospecimens may be used for studies of other issues, including the long-term health of military veterans, other effects of service during the Vietnam Conflict, the health impacts of aging, and disease-related biomarkers to further the goals of understanding the determinants of health and promoting wellness.
Dates of Study: Most of the AFHS information collection effort was focused on the morbidity component of the study.The physical examination cycles correspond to years 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 of the study. AFHS investigators refer to the 1982 baseline morbidity evaluation as Cycle 1, the first follow-up (1985) as Cycle2, the second (1987) as Cycle3, the third (1992) as Cycle 4, the fourth (1997) as Cycle5, and the fifth (2002) as Cycle 6. Mortality and reproductive studies are reported independent of morbidity follow-ups. (see Figure 2-1 in the IOM report for the study time line)
Setting: International (Soldiers exposed to doxins and herbicides in Vietnam War)
Current Status: Closed (All the medical records, data, and biological specimens collected in the study were closed on September 30, 2006)
Birth Cohort: Around 1933-1947
Design: Longitudinal
Summary of Epidemiologic Studies of Vietnam Veterans Health: See Appendix C in the IOM report (or the uploaded document in Military Life Course website)

 

Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA)

Study Site: http://flinders.edu.au/sabs/fcas/alsa/alsa_home.cfm
ALSA data link: http://www.ada.edu.au/longitudinal/browse/australian-longitudinal-study…
Overview of Military Specific Variables: ALSA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA) is Australia's first multi-dimensional population based study of human ageing. The general purpose of the ALSA study is to gain further understanding of how social, biomedical and environmental factors are associated with age related changes in health and well-being of persons aged 70 years and over. Emphasis is given in the overall study to defining and exploring the concept of healthy, active ageing, particularly in a South Australian context.
Dates of Study: 1992- 2010 (total of 11 waves)
Setting: Regional (South Australia)
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: June 30, 1922 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal
Notes: ALSA is one of the contributing studies in DYNOPTA. For a overview about ALSA, please see The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing: 15 Years of Ageing in South Australia

 

1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70)

Study Site: http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/page.aspx?&sitesectionid=795&sitesectiontitle=Welcome+to+the+1970+British+Cohort+Study+(BCS70)
NIA link: N/A
BCS70 data link: http://www.esds.ac.uk/longitudinal/access/versionHistories.asp#bcs70
Overview of Military Specific Variables: BCS70 Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: Since BCS70 began, there have been seven full data collection exercises in order to monitor the cohort members' health, education, social and economic circumstances.
Dates of Study: Since the birth survey in 1970, there have been seven ‘sweeps’ of all cohort members at age 5 (1975), age 10 (1980), age 16 (1986), age 26 (1996), age 30 (2000), age 34 (2004), age 38 (2008) and age 42 (collected from the 1st May 2012 to the 30th April 2013).
Setting: 1
Current Status: Unsure
Birth Cohort: 1970
Design: Mostly longitudinal & some cross-sectional

 

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

Study Site: http://www.blsa.nih.gov/
NIA link: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00233272
Overview of Military Specific Variables: BLSA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The BLSA is a multidisciplinary observational study of the physiological and psychological aspects of human aging and diseases and conditions that increase with age. Information from the BLSA may help to define strategies to improve quality of life in old age and prevent and delay loss of independence. The goals of the BLSA are: 1) the description of the anatomical, physiological and functional changes that occur over the aging process; 2) the identification of the biological, behavioral and environmental factors that account for these changes; 3) the identification of the biological and physiological pathways that lead to frailty in older persons; 4) the study of factors that predict healthy aging and health-related outcomes across the life-span; 5) the development of hypotheses concerning possible targets for interventions that may positively affect several aspects of the aging process and prevent age-related diseases.
Dates of Study: "Began in 1958. Data are collected on participants every two years. The BLSA Women’s Program was initiated in 1978. It is an ongoing study until December 2016, which will be the final data collection date for primary outcome measure. Study timeline: http://www.grc.nia.nih.gov/branches/blsa/timeline.html
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: Ideal 1970's
Design: Longitudinal
External Links:

National Institute on Aging, BLSA 25th Anniversary

 

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/
NIA link: N/A
BRFSS data link: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/annual_data/annual_data.htm
Overview of Military Specific Variables: BRFSS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: BRFSS is the nation's premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. BRFSS collects data in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year, making it the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world.
Dates of Study: Since 2000, the study has had a question on veteran status (Q10.9, 2000 survey). In 2010 added a module on veterans. Ongoing
Setting: 1 (data are stratified and collected by states)
Current Status: Open
Birth Cohort: N/A (1984 was the first year of data collection)
Design: Cross-sectional
Notes: In 2011, more than 506,000 interviews were conducted, based on a BRFSS questionnaire consisting of three parts: core questions, optional modules, and state-added questions. For more survey details, please see current and past BRFSS questionnaires: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/questionnaires.htm#english

 

CDC-Vietnam Experience Study (CDC-VES)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/veterans/default1c.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: CDC-VES Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: In response to veterans' concerns about their own health and their children's, the Vietnam Experience Study was a multidimensional assessment of the health of Vietnam veterans.
Dates of Study: 1985-1986 (telephone interview), followed by sub-sampling detailed examinations (1985-1986)
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1937-44 (N=999), 1945-49 (N=5896), 1950-54 (N=1029) (non-veteran samples had similar characteristics)
Design: Cross-sectional

 

Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (Dunedin Study) (DMHDS)

Study Site: http://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: DMHDS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: There are three special features of the DMHDS that enables it to contribute new knowledge about health and development. First, the sample represents a cross-section of the Dunedin population. Second, very few members of the sample have been lost to follow-up over the years. Third, and perhaps the most valuable feature of the Study, has been its multidisciplinary focus. A comprehensive assessment of Study members has been carried out involving, as principal investigators, members of a wide range of key disciplines concerned with issues of human health and development. This has resulted in a large number of studies on a diverse range of health and development issues.
Dates of Study: Participants were studied at birth (1972-73), followed up and assessed at the age of three, then every two years until the age of 15, then at ages 18 (1990-91), 21 (1993-94), 26 (1998-99), 32 (2003-2005), 38 (2010-2012). It is planned to next see the Study members at age 44, then again at age 50, and beyond.
Setting: National (young New Zealanders)
Current Status: Ongoing data collection (nearly 40 years so far) (Sub-studies of the Dunedin Study include the Family Health History Study (2003-2006), and the on-going Parenting Study and Next Generation Study)
Birth Cohort: 1972-1973
Design: Longitudinal (The babies were first followed up at the age of 3, and then at 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26 and 32, called as Phase 3, 5, 7 ...32 respectively. Future assessments are scheduled for age 38 (2010-2012), 44 and on into the future as Study Members have their own families, age, and retire.)
Notes: Three sub-studies: http://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/studies/sub-studies/next-generation-stu…

 

The Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA)

Study Site: http://dynopta.anu.edu.au/
NIA link: N/A
DYNOPTA data link: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/annual_data/annual_data.htm
Overview of Military Specific Variables: DYNOPTA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: DYNOPTA draws together data from nine Australian longitudinal studies of ageing with a combined pool of over 50 000 participants. The collective information provided by the studies will be used to identify key incidence rates and risk factors for health outcomes. DYNOPTA focuses on four outcomes that significantly contribute to the burden of disease and disability：dementia and cognition, mental health, sensory disability, mobility/activity limitations. DYNOPTA will also develop the first Australian dynamic microsimulation model that can forecast the health and social outcomes of the baby boomer and older cohorts. It also provides an excellent platform for comparison with similar datasets from Europe, the United States and Asia.
Dates of Study: Commenced in May 2007- ongoing
Setting: National (3 out of the nine contributing studies) + Regional (the other 6 contributing studies)
Current Status: Ongoing data collection
Birth Cohort: Baseline participants N= 50,652 (participating between 1990 and 2001), aged between 45 and 103 years. Age vary by the 9 contributing studies.
Design: Longitudinal (Studies have an average of 4 waves over an average period of 9.4 years) (see the time frame of these studies- http://dynopta.anu.edu.au/Publicsite/Contributingstudies/timeframe.php)
Notes: The lack of reliable longitudinal evidence about Indigenous health and ageing: Older Indigenous Australians are underrepresented in DYNOPTA and their small numbers prevent detailed examination of their health and well-being using DYNOPTA.

 

Early Indicator - Union Army Study (EI-UAS)

Study Site: http://www.uadata.org/
NIA link: http://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_description.cfm?icde=0&aid=…
Overview of Military Specific Variables: EI-UAS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The goal of the project is to construct datasets suitable for longitudinal studies of factors affecting the aging process from the first American cohorts who reached age 65 in the 20th century.
Dates of Study: From 1850, 1860, 1900 and 1910 (1870 and 1880 censuses for black samples) (total 4 waves)
Setting: National
Current Status: Retrospective/ archival data
Birth Cohort: Between 1830-1847. Learn more at http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/index.php?p=avail
Design: The life-cycle data were created from linking about a dozen national sources
Study Documents:

External Links:

Civil War related studies

 

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)

Study Site: http://www.ifs.org.uk/ELSA
ELSA data link: http://discover.ukdataservice.ac.uk/catalogue?sn=5050
Overview of Military Specific Variables: ELSA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) study, which began in 2002 (though the sample was constructed from earlier data) is a longitudinal survey of ageing and quality of life among older people. It explores the dynamic relationships between health and functioning, social networks and participation, and economic position as people plan for, move into and progress beyond retirement. The study is funded jointly by UK government departments and the National Institute on Aging, in the USA. The main objectives of ELSA are to: 1) construct six waves of accessible and well-documented panel data; 2) provide these data in a convenient and timely fashion to the scientific and policy research community; 3) describe health trajectories, disability and healthy life expectancy in a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and over; 4) examine the relationship between economic position and health; 5) investigate the determinants of economic position in older age; 6) describe the timing of retirement and post-retirement labour market activity; and 7) understand the relationships between social support, household structure and the transfer of assets.
Dates of Study: "Wave 1: March 2002 - March 2003; Wave 2: June 2004 - July 2005; Wave 3: May 2006 - August 2007; Wave 4: May 2008 - July 2009; Wave 5: June 2010 - July 2012; Wave 6: summer 2012 and spring 2013 (ongoing) Wave 0 data were gathered in the 1998, 1999 and 2001 waves of the HSE, but these predate the official start of the ELSA study."
Setting: 1 (UK)
Current Status: Ongoing data collection
Birth Cohort: 1948, 1949, and 1951 and earlier: During 1998, 1999, and 2001, households were recruited if having one adults aged 50 and older.
Design: Longitudinal. Multi-stage stratified random sample
Notes: The ELSA sample was selected from HSE 1998, 1999 and 2001 respondents. Households were included in ELSA if they contained at least one adult of 50 years or older in the household who had agreed to be recontacted at some time in the future when participating in the HSE. To ensure that ELSA remained representative of the target population, 'refreshment' samples were included at Waves 3, 4 and 6. For economic, social and health domains, there are cross-sectional tables and longitudinal tables. Please see summary tables: http://www.ifs.org.uk/ELSA/data

 

Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE)

Study Site: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/9915/detail
 , Funding from USDHHS, NIH, NIA(N01-AG-0-2107, N01-AG-0-2106, N01-AG-0-2105,N01-AG-2-2102)
Overview of Military Specific Variables: EPESE Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The goals of the EPESE project were to describe and identify predictors of mortality, hospitalization, and placement in long-term care facilities and to investigate risk factors for chronic diseases and loss of functioning for people 65 and older. Six follow-ups were conducted, and information from death certificates for deaths occurring in the first six years of follow-up for all the four sites was also collected.
Dates of Study: 1981-1993 (Concurrently, the investigators developed substudies focused on specific problems of the elderly)
Setting: Regional ([East Boston, Massachusetts; Iowa and Washington Counties, Iowa; New Haven, Connecticut; and North Central North Carolina])
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1916 and before
Design: Longitudinal

 

The Glueck Study of Adult Development (Glueck Study)

Study Site: The Glueck Non-Delinquent Follow-Up, 1974 -2001
at Murray Research Archive Original Collection Dataverse
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: The Glueck Study Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: As part of the Crime Causation Study, this study sought to gather vital statistics on the participant, members of hisimmediate family, faternal and maternal grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Additionally, the study examined differences between delinquents and nondelinquents (Glueck study sample) in terms of familial difficulties through thereconstruction of family histories of delinquency, substance abuse, psychiatric conditions, intellectual andphysical impairments.
Dates of Study: 1940-1948 (Time I), five follow-ups, 1978-1988 (Time V)
Setting: Regional
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1929 (+- 2 years)
Design: Longitudinal
External Study Resources:

Crime Causation Study: Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency, 1940-1963

 

Grant Study of Adult Development (Grant Study)

Study Site: http://dvn.iq.harvard.edu/dvn/dv/mra/faces/study/StudyPage.xhtml?global…
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: Grant Study Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The purpose was to examine how a sample of men adapt to life. The original researchers perceived medical research to be too heavily weighted in the direction of disease, and designed the study to chart how men coped with their lives over a period of time. As the study progressed, some data were collected from the wives of study participants. It is one of the longest-running and most comprehensive longitudinal studies of mental and physical well-being in history. The Grant "College cohort" is part of the Study of Adult Development with another "the Inner City cohort" (the “Glueck Study”, 1968).
Dates of Study: 1939/1942 to 1999/2000 (72 years) (38% were dead at the 2000 contact), ongoing
Setting: Regional
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1920 +- 2 (mean: 1921)
Design: Longitudinal (Data collection started during the participants' sophomore year in college and continued through senior year. After college graduation, participants received annual questionnaires until 1955. Since 1956, participants have received questionnaires every 2 years.)
External Study Resources:

 

Hispanic EPESE (HEPESE)

Study Site: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu.proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/icpsrweb/NACDA…
Overview of Military Specific Variables: HEPESE Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The HEPESE goals are: 1) Estimate the prevalence of key physical and mental health conditions and functional impairments in older Mexican Americans and compare this prevalence with that in other populations for whom data exist; 2) Investigate predictors of physical and mental health conditions and functional status at baseline; 3) Study changes in health and functioning among survivors; 4) Examine changes in health behaviors and key social mediators of health status, including social networks and supports and various key transitions such as widowhood and changes in living arrangements, including institutionalization.
Dates of Study: 1993-94, with 5 follow-ups (1995-96, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2004-05, and 2007)
Setting: Regional and nationally representative sample. Unlike the other EPESE studies that were restricted to small geographic areas, the Hispanic EPESE aimed at obtaining a representative sample of community-dwelling Mexican American elderly residing in the five Southwestern states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California. Approximately 85% of Mexican American elderly reside in these states and the investigators were able to obtain data that are generalizable to roughly 500,000 older people (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990). The final sample size of 3,050 subjects at baseline is comparable to those of the other EPESE studies and is sufficiently large to provide stable estimates of most health characteristics of interest.
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1928 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal (total 6 waves)
External Links:

PI: Markides, Kyriakos S.

 

Health and Retirement Study (HRS)

Study Site: http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/
NIA link: http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ScientificResources/StudyInfo.htm?id=16
Overview of Military Specific Variables: HRS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The HRS will provide a long-term source of data on the transition from middle age to the initial stages of retirement and beyond.
Dates of Study: 1992- 2010 (every 2-year; 10 waves so far)
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing (HRS data collection path)
Birth Cohort: The first cohort is 1931-1941. New cohorts are added every six years rather than at each wave (every two years). The second cohort is 1953 (2004 wave). The third cohort is 1954 - 1959 (2010 wave). Te 1960- 1965 cohort is scheduled for wave 2016. Learn more at http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/index.php?p=avail
Design: longitudinal
External Links:

 

The 1984-1990 Longitudinal study of Aging (LSOA)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/lsoa/lsoa1.htm/
Overview of Military Specific Variables: LSOA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The LSOA is a multicohort study of persons 70 years of age and over designed primarily to measure changes in the health, functional status, living arrangements, and health services utilization of two cohorts of Americans as they move into and through the oldest ages.
Dates of Study: 1984, 1986, 1988, 1900
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1914 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal
External Study Resources:

 

The 1994-2000 second Longitudinal study of Aging (LSOA II)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/lsoa/lsoa2.htm
Overview of Military Specific Variables: LSOA II Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The NCHS and the NIA decided to conduct the LSOA II, 10 years after the LSOA, with a new cohort of persons age 70 years and over. The specific aims for LSOAII are: 1) To provide a replication of the first LSOA in order to determine whether there have beenchanges in the disability and impairment process among older persons between the 1980'sand 1990's; 2) the processes by which personal attitudes and social and community support appear to mitigate the impact of physical impairment; and 3) the gender and socioeconomic differentials in the health of older persons, particularly the unique burden borne by elderly women. See also The 1984-1990 Longitudinal study of Aging (LSOA I).
Dates of Study: 1994, 2 follw-ups in 1998, 2000
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed in 2000
Birth Cohort: 1924 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal
External Study Resources:

 

Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG)

Study Site: https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/22100?archive=ICPSR&…
Overview of Military Specific Variables: LSOG Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The LSOG began as a survey of intergenerational relations among 300 three-generation California families and now includes a fourth generation. With such a generation-sequential design, it allows comparisons of sets of aging parents and children at the same stage of life but during different historical periods. It makes possible the investigation of the effects of social change on inter-generational solidarity or conflict across 35 years and four generations, and effects of social change on the ability of families to buffer stressful life transitions, and the effects of social change on the transmission of values, resources, and behaviors across generations. It also examines how intergenerational relationships influence individuals' well-being as they transition across the life course from early, to middle, to late adulthood.
Dates of Study: 1971, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000
Setting: Regional (California)
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1911 and earlier for the grandparent generation
Design: Longitudinal (generation-sequential design)

 

Midlife in the United States (MIDUS I)

NIA link: http://aging.wisc.edu/research/midus.php
Overview of Military Specific Variables: MIDUS I Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:Interdisciplinary research: to identify the major biomedical, psychological, and social factors that permit some people to achieve good health, psychological well-being, and social responsibility during their adult years
Dates of Study: 1995-1996, 2004-2006 (see MIDUS II), ongoing (3rd wave is in planning)
Setting: USA
Current Status: ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1920s-1970s
Design: longitudinal (2 waves approximately 10 years apart)
External Links:

 

Mid-life in the United States (MIDUS II)

Study Site: http://www.midus.wisc.edu/
NIA link: http://aging.wisc.edu/research/midus.php
Overview of Military Specific Variables: MIDUS II Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The samples were from the MIDUS I. To add refinements to MIDUS II, an African American sample (N = 592) was recruited from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Besides the MIDUS follow-up project, MIDUS II has 4 other projects: neuroscience, biomarker, cognitive, and daily stress projects.
Dates of Study: 2004-2006, ongoing (3rd wave is in planning)
Setting: USA
Current Status: ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1920s-1970s
Design: longitudinal (2 waves approximately 10 years apart)
External Links:

 

Normative Aging Study (NAS)

Study Site: N/A
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NAS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The NAS was founded in 1961 to examine aging processes in normal, healthy men. More than 6,000 men were screened between 1961 and 1968 for good health (i.e., absence of chronic disease, blood pressure no greater than 140/90, and evidence of "geographic stability," defined as having extensive kinship ties in the area and stated intentions to remain in Boston).
Dates of Study: 1961-70 enrollment
Setting: Local (orignally located in Greater Boston)
Current Status: ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1885 - 1945
Design: Longitudinal

 

National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council Twin Registry of World War II Male Veterans (NAS-NRC WWII Twin Registry)

Study Site: http://www.iom.edu/activities/veterans/twinsstudy.aspx
NIA link: N/A
Background Information: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Veterans/TwinsStudy/Background.aspx
Overview of Military Specific Variables: WWII Twin Registry Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The Twin Registry is a program of the Medical Follow-up Agency, a division of the Institute of Medicine, a part of the National Academies since 1955. In addition to the general advantages of twin studies, the Twin Registry offers at least two special advantages: its population-based ascertainment and the veteran status of its members. Records-based, computerized data have come largely from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and there have been three major epidemiological questionnaires, undertaken roughly every 15 years. The early focus of the registry was on medical conditions, and recently the focus is on chronic disease epidemiology. Work on a DNA specimen bank is now a top priority, due to the increasing force of mortality in this twin cohort. Over the years, the Registry has shown itself to be quite flexible in accommodating studies over a wide range of topics: atopic dermatitis, schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, headache, multiple sclerosis, cancer mortality, alcoholic cirrhosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, among others. Access to the National Academies’ Twin Registry is granted only upon approval by the Twins Committee.
Dates of Study: 1960s, Ongoing
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing/Unsure (functioning as a registry, which researchers have to apply to contact the twin veterans)
Birth Cohort: 1917-1927
Design: Longitudinal
Other twin registries:
The Current Era Twins Registry (CETR) is a panel of 440 twin pairs, both members of whom served in the Army in 1986 or later, with an additional 577 pairs in which only one twin has agreed to participate in the registry. In contrast to the NAS-NRC Twin Registry, CETR contains both men and women and is more ethnically diverse. There are plans to expand CETR by including other military branches and by identifying twins as they enter basic training.

In addition to the NAS-NRC Twin Registry, the Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry is the only other national registry of twins in the US (Eisen et al., 1987; Henderson et al., 1990).

 

National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA)

Study Site: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACDA/studies/06668/version/1
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: National Survey of Black Americans Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The purpose of this data collection was to provide an appropriate theoretical and empirical approach to concepts, measures, and methods in the study of Black Americans. It investigates neighborhood-community integration, services, crime and community contact, the role of religion and the church, physical and mental health, self-esteem, life satisfaction, employment, the effects of chronic unemployment, the effects of race on the job, interaction with family and friends, racial attitudes, race identity, group stereotypes, and race ideology.
Dates of Study: Waves 1-4, 1979-1980, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1992
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1961 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal
External Study Resources:

Sample characteristics

 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NHANES Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. NHANES is a major program of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Findings from this survey will be used to determine the prevalence of major diseases and risk factors for diseases. Information will be used to assess nutritional status and its association with health promotion and disease prevention. NHANES findings are also the basis for national standards for such measurements as height, weight, and blood pressure. Data from this survey will be used in epidemiological studies and health sciences research, which help develop sound public health policy, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the Nation.
Dates of Study: It began in the early 1960s and has been ongoing since 1999.
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: Not focusing on specific cohorts (age range from 0 to 85+)
Design: Longitudinal
External Links:

Main Continuous and Historical NHANES Tutorials

 

National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS)

Study Site: http://www.nhats.org/scripts/conDocDCI.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NHATS Overview
Study Goals:To promote scientific study of late-life disability trends and dynamics; and to advance our understanding of the social and economic impact of late-life functional changes for older people, their families, and society.
Dates of Study: About 9,000 people will participate in the first wave of NHATS from May 2011. The first data release is anticipated in Spring 2012. The study team is currently calling for Modules for NHATS 2012 (Round 2).
Setting: USA
Current Status: Data collection starts summer 2011
Birth Cohort: 1900s-1945
Design: longitudinal
External Links:

First wave study content

 

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

Study Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/about_nhis.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NHIS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The NHIS, referred to in the National Health Survey Act of 1956, was initiated in July 1957. The main objective of the NHIS is to monitor the health of the US population through the collection and analysis of data on a broad range of health topics. A major strength of this survey lies in the ability to display these health characteristics by many demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The NHIS covers the civilian noninstitutionalized population residing in the United States at the time of the interview. Because of technical and logistical problems, several segments of the population are not included in the sample or in the estimates from the survey. Examples of persons excluded are patients in long-term care facilities; persons on active duty with the Armed Forces (though their dependents are included); persons incarcerated in the prison system; and U.S. nationals living in foreign countries.
Dates of Study: 1957, ongoing (data available since 1963)
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: N/A
Design: Cross-sectional household interview survey
External Study Resources:

One can merge Sample Adult data for health outcomes with the Person file; however, the veterans in the sample adult file represent a subset of all adult veterans on the Person file, one will have fewer veterans to analyze.

 

National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS)

Study Site: http://www.census.gov/did/www/nlms/
NIA link: N/A, NLMS is funded by Cencus Bureau.
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NLMS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The NLMS goal is to provide an analytical research database for the purpose of studying the effect of demographic and socio-economic differentials on U.S. mortality rates
Dates of Study: Data files linking Census data to death certificate information are available for 1973-2002 (one-time measurement for participants, not longitudinal)
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing (Every March about 30'000 random American households are interviewed. There are currently 3 million participants, combining their information from 30 different national databases)"
Birth Cohort: Age varies depending on when participants were surveyed (for Year of birth: var. YOB) (Some have been followed up longer than others)
Design: Multiple cohorts
External Links:

Reference manual

 

National Longitudinal Survey - Older Men (NLS -Old)

Study Site: http://www.bls.gov/nls/oldyoungmen.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NLS - Older Men Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The primary purpose of the NLS is to collect data on the labor force experiences of adults and young adults. In addition, the surveys have regularly gathered information about a range of factors potentially affecting labor market attachment, including investments in education and training, geographic region of residence, the influence of parents, marital status and family responsibilities, socioeconomic status, work-related attitudes and aspirations, health problems, and job discrimination. See also NLS Younger Men Survey.
Dates of Study: 1966 - 1991
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed in 1991
Birth Cohort: 1907-1921 (N=5,020 aged 45-59 in 1966)
Design: Longitudinal (3 surveys 2 cohorts)
External Study Resources:

 

National Longitudinal Survey - Younger Men (NLS - Young)

Study Site: http://www.bls.gov/nls/oldyoungmen.htm
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NLS - Younger Men Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals:The primary purpose of the NLS is to collect data on the labor force experiences of adults and young adults. In addition, the surveys have regularly gathered information about a range of factors potentially affecting labor market attachment, including investments in education and training, geographic region of residence, the influence of parents, marital status and family responsibilities, socioeconomic status, work-related attitudes and aspirations, health problems, and job discrimination. See also NLS Older Men Survey.
Dates of Study: 1966 - 1991
Setting: National
Current Status: Closed in 1991
Birth Cohort: 1942- 1952 (N=5225 aged 14-24 in 1966)
Design: Longitudinal (3 surveys 2 cohorts)
External Study Resources:

 

National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH)

Study Site: Wave I 1987-1988, Wave II 1992-1994 and Wave III 2001-2002
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NSFH Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The NSFH was designed to provide a broad range of information on family life to serve as a resource for research across disciplines. A considerable amount of life-history information was collected, including: the respondent's family living arrangements in childhood, departures and returns to the parental home, and histories of marriage, cohabitation, education, fertility, and employment.
Dates of Study: Interviews were conducted in 1987-88, 1992-94, and 2001-2003.
Setting: National
Current Status: Unsure/other
Birth Cohort: 1967 and earlier
Design: Longitudinal
External Study Resources:

 

National social life, health and aging project (NSHAP)

Study Site: http://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/national-social-life-health…
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NSHAP Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The two waves of NSHAP are essential to understanding how social and biological characteristics change. By eliciting a variety of information from respondents over time, provides data that will allow researchers in a number of fields to examine how specific factors may or may not affect each other across the life course. The study contributes to finding new ways to improve health as people age.
Dates of Study: 2005-2006, 2010-2011
Setting: National
Current Status: Unsure/other
Birth Cohort: Between 1920 and 1947
Design: Longitudinal
External Links:

 

National Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Study (NVVRS)

Study Site: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/nvvrs-docs.asp
NIA Link: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/press-releases/2013/vietnam-vets-with-pts…
NVVRS Finding Summary: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/vietnam-vets-study.asp
Overview of Military Specific Variables: NVVRS Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The National Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Study (NVVRS) was conducted in response to a congressional mandate in 1983 for an investigation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other postwar psychological problems among Vietnam Veterans (Kulka et al., 1990a, Kulka et al., 1990b). The purpose of the NVVRS was to obtain accurate prevalence rates of postwar psychological problems in order to serve the needs of the nation's Veterans. The NVVRS sample is arguably the most representative group of Vietnam Veterans to be studied to date. Understanding the effect of the Vietnam War on Veterans is important in developing and applying mental health treatments to those who continue to suffer from PTSD or other psychological/readjustment problems. Recent researchers have confirmed that premilitary, during military, and postmilitary risk factors for PTSD. An important message is that social support plays a critical role in reducing PTSD symptoms and increasing one's level of functioning.
Dates of Study: between November 1986 and February 1988
Setting: National (representative national samples of Vietnam Veterans and their peers who did not serve in the military during the Vietnam Era)
Current Status: Closed (NB: The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study [NVVLS) was fielded in 2013 so longitudinal followup may soon be available.)
Birth Cohort: All of those whose life was affected by Vietnam War services (1940-1955 and beyond)
Design: Cross-sectional (see note above re: Current Status –– may soon be longitudinal)
Notes: NVVRS was supported by grants from NHLBI (K24HL077506), (R01 HL68630), and (R21HL093665), the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG026255), the National Institute of Mental Health (K24 MH076955), and by the American Heart Association. Support also was provided by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR000454) and the National Center for Research Resources (MO1-RR00039).

 

Piedmont Health Survey of the Elderly, Fourth In-Person Survey (PHSE-NC EPESE)

Study Site: https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/2744?archive=ICPSR&q…
NIA link: N/A
Overview of Military Specific Variables: PHSE-NC EPESE Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The PHSE is a multiyear study sponsored by the NIA as one of the components of the EPESE. The EPESE project was to describe and identify predictors of mortality, hospitalization, and placement in long-term care facilities and to investigate risk factors for chronic diseases and loss of functioning. The data included in this release of the EPESE (since 1981) make up the seventh follow-up and the fourth in-person interview for the North Carolina site. This NC cohort was the only EPESE site in the southeastern US. This site was unique in that the baseline cohort was over 50-percent Black, and the geographic area selected was diverse, allowing both racial and urban/rural comparisons to be made regarding the distribution of certain risk factors and disease.
Dates of Study: 1986/87, 1996/1997 (seven follow-ups; 4th in-person interview)
Setting: Regional [Durham, Warren, Vance, Granville, and Franklin Counties, North Carolina]
Current Status: Closed
Birth Cohort: 1921-1922 and later
Design: Longitudinal

For further questions, contact Martha E Fay, MA, MPH
Research Analyst; Center for Population and Development Studies
9 Bow Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]

 

Project TALENT (Project Talent)

Study Site: http://www.projecttalent.org/about/overview
ICPSR link: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACDA/support/announcements/2012/02…
Overview of Military Specific Variables: Project TALENT Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: Conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Project Talent is a national longitudinal study that first surveyed America’s high school students in 1960. At the time, it was the largest and most comprehensive study of U.S. high school students. It was instrumental in revealing the factors, both within and beyond the school system, that influence students' educational attainment. It transformed the field of aptitude testing and led to increased understanding of the connections between certain identifiable skills and career success later in life. In addition, it has contributed to research ranging from the changing role of women in American society to the experiences of veterans of the Vietnam War.
Dates of Study: Baseline: 1960. There were three follow-ups at 1, 5, and 11 years after participants' anticipated high school graduation (1961-1974). Card (1983) studied the effect of Vietnam war on the 9th grade cohort in 1981.
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: Grades 9-12 in 1960; typically 1942-1946
Design: Longitudinal

 

Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID)

Study Site: http://psidonline.isr.umich.edu/
Overview of Military Specific Variables: PSID Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: The PSID gathers data on the family as a whole and on individuals residing within the family for over 40 years since 1968. It emphasizes the dynamic and interactive aspects of family economics, demography, and health. It is one of the life course and multigenerational research projects.
Dates of Study: 1968- 2011 (data were collected annually 1968-1997 and biennially after 1997).
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1940s
Design: Longitudinal
Original Study Documents:

 

Panel Study of Income Dynamics - Transition to Adulthood Subsample (PSID-TA)

Study Site: http://psidonline.isr.umich.edu/
Overview of Military Specific Variables: PSID-TA Overview (.xlsx)
Study Goals: This study was designed to collect information from all children who had participated in the Child Development Supplement who had turned age 18 and had completed high school and had families still active in PSID.
Dates of Study: 2005, 2007, 2009 (2009 data is not available online)
Setting: National
Current Status: Ongoing (The next collection year will be 2011)
Birth Cohort: 1987- (children of the PSID index family, who are aged 18 and older in 2005)
Design: longitudinal
Original Study Documents:
Sample Frame Diagram (.bmp)
PISD User Guide (2009) (.pdf)
Overview of Health Measures (.xlsx)
Overview of Psychological Measures (.xlsx)

 

Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA)

Study Site: http://www.vetsatwins.org/
Overview of VETSA Variables: VETSA1_Data Dictionary (.pdf)
Note: The Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry is the only other national registry of twins in the US in addition to the NAS-NRC WWII Twin Registry (Eisen et al., 1987; Henderson et al., 1990).

Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS)

Study Site: http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/wlsresearch/
NIA link: http://nihlibrary.ors.nih.gov/nia/ps/NIADB_Details.asp?which=99
Overview of Military Specific Variables: WLS Overview (.xlsx)
Dates of Study: 1957 (W1),
Setting: Regional
Current Status: Ongoing
Birth Cohort: 1937 – 1940
Design: Longitudinal

 

Extra Resources / Issues