National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979

The NLSY 1979 Cohort is a longitudinal project that follows the lives of 12,686 American youth born between 1957 and 1964. The study was intended to be representative of United States residents, both male and female. It observes the life-course experiences of young adults who were finishing their schooling and were making decisions about education and training, entering the labour market, military service, marriage, and having families. Cohort members are now in their 50s and survey content has turned to age-appropriate topics including health and retirement expectations.

Yearly personal interviews were conducted from 1979 – 1986. In 1987, a telephone interview was conducted. Personal interviews resumed in 1988 and continued yearly until 1994. Since 1994, NLSY79 participants have been interviewed in even-numbered years.

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries USA
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 10,000 to 19,999
Ages 20 to 39
Brain related measures
Funtional rating Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples
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|Martial status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation
Institute names The Ohio State University
Current Sample Sizes 10,000 to 19,999

age at recruitment 14-22
last updated
recruitment period 1979
estimated current sample size number value
cohort acronym NLSY79
start date 1979
pi Dr Deborah Carr
website https://www.nlsinfo.org/content/cohorts/nlsy79
contact details CHRR at The Ohio State University
921 Chatham Ln Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43221
abstract  The NLSY 1979 Cohort is a longitudinal project that follows the lives of 12,686 American youth born between 1957 and 1964.
funders  National Longitudinal Surveys – U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics
contact email [email protected]; PI email: [email protected]
contact phone number (614) 442-7362
estimated current sample size
sample sizes 12,686