H70 and other population studies

The Gothenburg H70 Birth cohort Studies

The Gothenburg H70 Birth cohort Studies include large population studies on elderly people in Gothenburg (H70, H85, 95+) examined over half a century. Later-born cohorts have been added over the years, the last born 1944. Other databases include the Prospective Population Study of Women (PPSW), starting already in midlife, and the 95+ studies including more than 1000 late nonagenarians and centenarians. All samples are systematically obtained from the Swedish Population Register based on birth dates. Response rates are 60-85%. Part of examinations have been virtually identical between studies to enhance possibilities of comparisons, and are done at the Neuropsychiatric outpatient clinic at Wallinsgatan, or in the participant’s home. New and modern examinations have also been added over time.

H70

Between 1971 and 2014, 70-year olds born in 1901-02, 1906-07, 1911-12, 1922, 1930, and 1944 has been examined in the H70 study. Continuous follow-ups have been performed from the age of 75 up to participants are over 100 years old. In 2019, the latest follow-up of 75-year olds born in 1944 started. The H70 study give us unique opportunity to compare the health of 70-year olds born in the beginning of 1900 to those born more than 4 decades later.

H85

H85 started in 1986 with 85-year olds born in 1901-02. That birth-cohort has been followed for 20 years. In 2008, a new cohort of 85-year olds born in 1923-24 started, followed by the latest cohort born in 1930 and examined in 2015-16. Follow-ups has been performed every 2-5 year and the oldest cohort was followed until the age of 103.  

95+

Between 1996 and 2012 almost 1000 participants were recruited to the 95+-study. As far as we know, this is the largest epidemiological study of persons over the age of 95 in the world. Follow-ups has been performed every 1-2 year and the oldest participants were examined at the age of 109.

The Prospective Population-based study of Women in Gothenburg (PPSW)

PPSW started in 1968 when women aged 38-60 were recruited in order to study health in women before, during and after the menopause.  Participants were followed up in 1974-75, 1981-82, 1992-93, 2000-2002, 2005-2006, 2009-11, 2015-16, and 2018-2019. This study gives us opportunity to evaluate how risk- and protective factors in middle age affect health in late life.

H70 Clinical Study

A clinical study of patients with suspected dementia disease at the Memory Clinic Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The H70 Clinical Study is a research study regarding the examination of cognitive (mental) decline and dementia in patients at the Memory Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The study is part of the well-known H70 studies at the Center for Aging and Health (AGECAP) at the University of Gothenburg. The purpose of the study is to increase the understanding of disease processes, as well as to find new disease markers and investigate how these affect the onset and course of various dementia diseases. Increased knowledge in this area can lead to improved early diagnosis and enable treatment and preventive measures against dementia diseases.

Sahlgrenska Suicide studies

Sahlgrenska Suicide studies started in 2000 and investigate risk factors for suicidal behaviour in older persons using population-based studies, registry studies and clinical studies.

FRESH – Frail Elderly Support Research Group

The aim is to study measures to support ageing well at home and broaden our understanding of the concept of frailty, to contribute to the understanding of the frailty process among older people who are frail, and those at risk of developing frailty. The capability approach is a fundamental part of all projects, putting focus on people’s real opportunities people to achieve what that they have a reason to value, in relation to the resources they have at hand. Based on mutual respect and the sharing of ideas, we as a research group apply user involvement in every step of the research. Our primary focus is older people’s voices are heard, but the voices of professionals will be given equal weight to the development of the programme under investigation with the goal to increase the relevance of research findings to the target groups.

HEalth, Aging and Retirement Transitions in Sweden
- Hearts Study (HEARTS)

Leaving work life for retirement is a major life event. Sometimes retirement changes life from one day to the next. How do people cope with this transition? – This is what will be studied in the research project HEalth, Aging and Retirement Transitions in Sweden – Hearts Study (HEARTS). HEARTS focuses on the retirement process. Retirement tests our ability to adapt, not only to age-related biological changes, but also to possibilities and expectations in our social environment. Retirement changes our lifestyle, including physical, intellectual and social activities, and therefore also impacts our health and psychological well-being. HEARTS aims to find out more about the transition from work-life to life as a retired individual and how this process is handled. The study started in 2015 with 6000 participants born between 1949 and 1955. Participants will be followed annually over several years, making it possible to follow their individual retirement process.

Origins of variance in the oldest old (OCTO Twin) 

What are the effects of genes on ageing? The twin study OCTO-Twin started in 1991 and has the purpose to answer questions about the relevance of heredity for health and functional ability in late life. The project includes 702 twins (140 identical and 202 dizygotic twin pairs) that were examined at five occasions every 2 year. The project in funded by National Institute on Aging, USA.

Panel Survey of Ageing and the Elderly

Panel Survey of Ageing and the Elderly (PSAE) was performed in 2002-2003 and 2010-2011, and is a combination of data from a studies of living conditions (ULF), and information from registries.

Surveys from the SOM institute

The SOM Institute is an independent survey research organisation at the University of Gothenburg. The Institute collaborates with researchers from a range of disciplines, aiming to explore Swedes' attitudes and habits in a range of areas and to understand the evolution of the Swedish society. The SOM Institute has always focused on Swedes' habits, behaviour, opinions and values with respect to society, politics and media. The large number of surveys and vast amount of collected data provide exceptional opportunities to carry out cross-disciplinary longitudinal analyses at the national, regional and local levels. The unique amount of data has made the SOM Institute a national research centre for researchers interested in empirical studies of society, opinions and media. The institute has also developed international collaborations with researchers in other parts of the world. 

Optimal ageing at home -
interventions to support frail older people

The aim is to study measures to support ageing well at home and broaden our understanding of the concept of frailty, to contribute to the understanding of the frailty process among older people who are frail, and those at risk of developing frailty. The capability approach is a fundamental part of all projects, putting focus on people’s real opportunities people to achieve what that they have a reason to value, in relation to the resources they have at hand. Based on mutual respect and the sharing of ideas, we as a research group apply user involvement in every step of the research. Our primary focus is older people’s voices are heard, but the voices of professionals will be given equal weight to the development of the programme under investigation with the goal to increase the relevance of research findings to the target groups.