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The CONSTANCES cohort: an open epidemiological laboratory.
Marie Zins1, Sébastien Bonenfant, Matthieu Carton
1Inserm U1018, Epidemiology of occupational and social determinants of health - Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, 16 avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, F-94807, Villejuif, France.
BMC Public Health
|August 14, 2010
Summary
The CONSTANCES cohort study recruits 200,000 French adults to examine health determinants. This large prospective cohort will provide valuable public health data on aging and occupational factors.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Longitudinal Studies
Background:
- Prospective cohort studies are crucial for understanding disease etiology.
- The CONSTANCES cohort aims to provide public health insights and serve as an open research laboratory.
- Focus areas include occupational and social health determinants, and aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a large, representative French cohort for epidemiological research.
- To investigate the interplay of lifestyle, environment, genetics, and health outcomes.
- To focus on occupational and social factors influencing health and aging.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 200,000 French adults aged 18-69 over five years.
- Comprehensive health examinations, questionnaires, and biobanking at inclusion.
- Longitudinal follow-up via yearly questionnaires and national health/retirement/death databases.
Main Results:
- A field-pilot with 3,500 subjects demonstrated a satisfactory sample structure and data validity.
- The study aims to collect extensive data on social, behavioral, occupational, and health factors.
- A parallel cohort of non-participants will be followed to address attrition bias.
Conclusions:
- The full sample constitution was planned for late 2010.
- The CONSTANCES cohort was launched in early 2011.
- This resource will facilitate research on diverse health endpoints and determinants.
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