Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study

The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) is an ongoing, longitudinal study of the health, development and well-being of a general sample of New Zealanders. They were studied at birth (1972-73), followed up and assessed at the age of three when the longitudinal study was established. Since then they have been assessed every two years until the age of 15, then at ages 18 (1990-91), 21 (1993-94), 26 (1998-99), 32 (2003-2005), and 38 (2010-2012). It is planned to next see the Study members at age 44/45 and beyond.

Last update – 31/01/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries New Zealand
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 0 to 9|10 to 19|20 to 39|40 to 59
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health
Funtional rating Individual physiological|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment 0
last updated
recruitment period 1972-73
estimated current sample size number value
cohort acronym DMHDS
start date 1972-73
pi Dr Terrie Moffitt and Dr Richie Poulton
website http://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/
contact details Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit,
Department of Psychology,
University of Otago,
PO Box 913,
Dunedin 9054,
New Zealand
abstract  DMHDS is a longitudinal study of health, development and well-being of New Zealanders. 1,037 participants were recruited at birth to the study between 1972 and 1973.
funders  UK Medical Research Council
US National Institute of Health
National Institute on Ageing
contact email Email : [email protected], PI email: [email protected] and PI email: [email protected]
contact phone number +64 3 4798508
estimated current sample size
sample sizes 1037