German Ageing Survey

The DEAS is a nationwide representative survey of the German population aged 40 and older that combines cross-sectional and longitudinal samples. Participants from baseline samples (drawn every six years) are followed up and enter the different panel samples. Panel data was collected at the same time as baseline samples until 2008. Starting from 2011, panel samples are interviewed every three years. Thus, DEAS enables an analysis of social change using the cross-sectional data of 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2014, as well as an investigation of intra-individual development over three to eighteen years (1996-2002-2008-2011-2014).

Last update – 16/02/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Germany
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 20,000 to 49,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Cognitive function|Mental health
Funtional rating Individual physiological|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Height|Weight
Physical Hearing and Vision
Biological samples
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names German Centre of Gerontology
Current Sample Sizes 20,000 to 49,999

age at recruitment 40-85
last updated
recruitment period 1996-present
estimated current sample size number value
cohort acronym DEAS
start date 1996 – present
pi Prof. Dr. Clemens Tesch-Roemer, Dr. Julia Simonson, Dr. Claudia Vogel
website https://www.dza.de/en/research/deas.html
contact details Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen
Manfred-von-Richthofen-Straße 2,
12101 Berlin,
Deutschland
abstract  DEAS is a longitudinal study looking at ageing in the German population. 20,715 participants aged 40 to 85 were included at baseline however recruitment in ongoing.
funders  Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number +49 30 260740 23
estimated current sample size
sample sizes 20715