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The HCS is a population-based cohort study established to assess factors important in the health, well-being, social functioning and economic consequences of ageing. The participants included community-dwelling men and women aged 55-85 years of age who reside in Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. They were randomly selected from the NSW State electoral roll and contacted between December 2004 and December 2007.
The participants’ study data was collected through self-report postal questionnaires which covered a wide range of variables but also linked with local and national health information databases and hospital records. These provided follow-up on use of prescription medication, health service utilization and hospitalizations, morbidity and mortality. There was also a baseline clinic visit which measured a wide variety of parameters including hearing, vision, smell, balance, cognition, and lung function. Medications and diagnoses have been collected not only at baseline but also at periodic intervals during follow-up.
Last update – 31/01/2017
Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Australia
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|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|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 University of Newcastles School of Medicine and Public Health and the Hunter New England Area Health Service
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999
age at recruitment 55-85
last updated
recruitment period 2004-07
estimated current sample size number value 1749
cohort acronym Hunter CS
start date 2004-07
pi Dr John Attia, Dr Mark McEvoy, Dr Catherine DEste, Dr Rodney Scott and Dr Peter Schofield
website https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/39/6/1452/735859/Cohort-Profile-The-Hunter-Community-Study
contact details University of Newcastle,
School of Medicine and Public Health,
Callaghan,
New South Wales,
AU
abstract The HCS is a population-based cohort study established to assess factors important in the health, well-being, social functioning and economic consequences of ageing. The study began in 2004 when 3,253 participants aged 55-85 were recruited.
funders University of Newcastle
contact email PI Email: [email protected]
contact phone number +61 (0)2 4042 0500
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 3253