Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study

The Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES) is a nationally representative longitudinal survey of health and lifecourse experiences of 2,827 Costa Ricans ages 60 and over in 2005. Baseline household interviews were conducted between November 2004 and September 2006, with 2-year follow-up interviews.

The main study objective was to determine the length and quality of life, and its contributing factors in the elderly of Costa Rica.
CRELES uses public data files containing information on a broad range of topics including self-reported physical health, psychological health, living conditions, health behaviours, health care utilization, social support, and socioeconomic status. Objective health indicators include anthropometrics, observed mobility, and biomarkers from fasting blood and overnight urine. Mortality events are tracked and conditions surrounding death are measured in a surviving family interview (longitudinal follow-up data are not yet publicly available).

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Costa Rica
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 60 to 100
Brain related measures
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|Urine
Genotyping
Brain imaging
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
Institute names University of Costa Rica
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment >60
last updated
recruitment period 2006
estimated current sample size number value 1,550
cohort acronym CRELES
start date 2006
pi Dr Luis Rosero-Bixby
website http://www.creles.berkeley.edu/
contact details Centro Centroamericano de Población
Universidad de Costa Rica
San José 2060, Costa Rica.
abstract  The Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES) is a nationally representative longitudinal survey of health and lifecourse experiences of 2,827 Costa Ricans ages 60 and over in 2005.
funders  Wellcome Trust
contact email [email protected] PI Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
contact phone number 
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 2,827