Sample design and cohort selection in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Population Health
• Biostatistics

Background:

• The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a significant cohort study focusing on Hispanic/Latino adults in the U.S.
• Ensuring a diverse and representative sample is crucial for accurate health research within this population.
• Participant engagement throughout long-term follow-up is a key consideration for cohort studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the sample design rationale for the HCHS/SOL, aiming for a representative and engaged cohort.
• To detail the benefits and challenges associated with the chosen sample design decisions.
• To ensure adequate subgroup sample sizes for robust inference across diverse Hispanic/Latino backgrounds.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment and follow-up of 16,000 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 18-74.
• Oversampling of individuals over 44 years of age (10,000 participants).
• A two-stage area probability sample of households with stratification and oversampling was employed across four field centers.

Main Results:

• The implemented probability sampling design successfully incorporated stratification and oversampling.
• This design facilitated the recruitment of a broadly diverse sample, meeting target age distributions.
• The methodology aimed for efficiencies in field operations while ensuring representativeness.

Conclusions:

• Probability sampling within a multisite cohort study effectively meets competing research objectives.
• The study highlights the necessity of addressing unique challenges in sample selection and recruitment inherent to probability sampling.
• The HCHS/SOL design provides a model for robust population-based health research.