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The Hertfordshire Cohort Study comprises a nationally unique study of 3000 men and women born during the period 1931-1939 and still resident in the English county of Hertfordshire. Information available on these individuals includes birthweight (recorded by the attending midwife), weight at age one year (recorded by a health visitor), the method of infant feeding, and details of childhood illnesses up to age five years. Follow-up of individuals began in 1990 and medical and social histories have been ascertained, as well as detailed anthropometry, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, fasting serum cholesterol and triglycerides, bone density and physical performance. DNA on all participants has been collected and is stored in the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK.
The entire cohort is being followed up through primary care and hospital records for clinical outcomes including incident coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic airflow obstruction and fracture. The cohort members are flagged with NHS Digital for notification of deaths.
HCS is part of CLOSER (Cohort & Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources) which aims to maximise the use, value and impact of the UKs longitudinal studies.
Last update: 31/01/2017
Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries United Kingdom
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual physiological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Musculoskeletal|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Other|Urine
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names University of Southampton
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999
age at recruitment 59-73
last updated
recruitment period 1998-2003
estimated current sample size number value 1750
cohort acronym HBC
start date 1998-2003
pi Professor Cyrus Cooper
website http://www.mrc.soton.ac.uk/cohorts/hertfordshire/|http://www.mrc.soton.ac.uk/herts/
contact details University of Southampton
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton
SO16 6YD
abstract Collection of health data available on 3,000 children (up to age 5) born during 1931-1939 that still reside in Hertfordshire (UK). Follow up began in 1990 and includes additional health data through medical records.
funders Medical Research Council
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number +44 (0) 23 8077 7624
estimated current sample size 1 to 4,999
sample sizes 3225