Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study
The Normative Aging Study (NAS) is a longitudinal study of aging in men initiated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 1963. The objectives of the NAS are to:
- Characterize the biomedical and psychosocial parameters of normal aging as distinct from the development of disease;
- Define the incidence and precursors of the diseases accompanying aging; and
- Examine the influence of lifestyle and major life events on the aging process.
Overview
- Acronym
- VA NAS
- Website
- VA NAS
- Investigators
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- Contacts
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General Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Start - End Year
- 1963 -
- General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
-
Originally, participants reported every 3 years (age 52 or older) or 5 years (younger than age 52) for their exam. Since 1986, a 3-year interval has been used for all men. In the month before their scheduled exam, men are mailed a packet of surveys to complete and bring with them to their exam.
- Recruitment Target
-
- Individuals
- Number of Participants
- 2,280
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 2,280
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
|
Marker Paper
Bell B, Rose CL, Damon H. The Normative Aging Study: an interdisciplinary and longitudinal study of health and aging. Aging and Human Development, 1972; 3: 5-17.
Supplementary Information
Access to data is by request to the PI’s and is considered on a case-by-case basis. The data are not publicly available.
Second marker paper:
Bossé, R., Ekerdt, D., & Silbert, J. (1984). The Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study. In S. A. Mednick, M. Harway, & K. M. Finello (Eds.), Handbook of longitudinal research: Vol 2. Teenage and adult cohorts (pp. 273-289). New York: Praeger.
Timeline
Population
The study panel consists of 2280 initially healthy men who were enrolled between 1961 and 1970 in the Boston area, and aged 21 to 81 years.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
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Men only
- Countries
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- United States of America
- Territory
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Boston area
- Health Status
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- Initially healthy
Sample Size
- Number of Participants
- 2,280
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 2,280
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase I |
|
1963 | 1970 | |
| 1 | NAS - Biomedical Domain |
|
|
1963 | 2014 |
| 2 | NAS - Health Behavior Domain |
|
1973 | 2014 | |
| 3 | NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase II |
|
1975 | 1980 | |
| 4 | NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase III |
|
1985 | 2014 | |
| 5 | NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase IV |
|
1987 | 2014 |
Participating Studies
| Acronym | Name | Study design | Countries |
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Harmonization Initiatives Included
| Acronym | Name |
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Datasets
| Name | Data Collection Events | Variables |
|---|
Areas of Information Collected
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Death
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Physical measures and assessments
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Laboratory measures
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Diseases
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Symptoms and signs
- Preschool, school and work life
- Medication and supplements
- Social environment and relationships
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Physical environment
- Health and community care services utilization
- Administrative information
Variables Content Summary
Areas of Information Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
Networks
| Acronym | Name | Harmonization Initiatives | Individual Studies |
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