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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data

Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data

Published on: July 27, 2018

The Lifeways Cross-Generation Study: design, recruitment and data management considerations.

D O'Mahony¹, U B Fallon, F Hannon

¹UCD School of Public Health and Population Science. deirdre.omahony@ucd.ie

Irish Medical Journal

|October 25, 2007

Summary

The Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study in Ireland tracks over 3,500 family participants. This unique longitudinal database collects extensive health data across multiple generations to understand family health patterns.

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Area of Science:

Public Health
Epidemiology
Genetics

Background:

Established in 2001, the Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study is Ireland's sole longitudinal family database.
Recruited 1124 mothers during pregnancy (primarily in 2002), expanding to over 3,500 family participants.
Addresses the absence of a unified national health information system in Ireland.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish a comprehensive, multi-generational health database.
To facilitate the tracking of family members and their health data over time.
To support epidemiological and public health research in Ireland.

Main Methods:

Collected baseline self-reported health data from mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
Integrated clinical hospital data, General Practitioner follow-up data (3-year), and linked hospital/vaccination records.
Utilized a relational database system for data coordination and participant tracking.

Main Results:

The study has amassed a significant longitudinal dataset from over 3,500 individuals across multiple family members.
Data collection spans baseline, 3-year follow-up, and ongoing 5-year parent follow-ups (through 2007).
Demonstrates successful integration of diverse data sources in the absence of a national health registry.

Conclusions:

The Lifeways study provides a valuable, unique resource for cross-generational health research in Ireland.
The methodology developed can inform future large-scale cohort studies, particularly in data-scarce environments.
The database supports ongoing investigations into family health trajectories and determinants.