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Cohort Description

Cohort Description

The cohort component of the ARIC study began in 1987. Each of the four ARIC Field Centers (Washington County, MD; Forsyth County, NC; Jackson, MS; and Minneapolis, MN) randomly selected and recruited a cohort sample of approximately 4,000 individuals aged 45-64 from their community.

These 15,792 participants received an extensive baseline examination, which included medical, social, and demographic data. The cohort study participants agreed to participate in several more examinations at our clinic sites, sometimes completed by home visits. These examinations have included a variety of measurements from ECGs and echocardiograms, to questions on physical activity and diet. The cohort of participants also complete brief phone interviews twice a year to provide information on recent hospitalizations and changes in their health status.

Approximately 6,000 of our original participants, now in their 80's and 90's, continue to generously provide their time and contributions to the ARIC study.


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