Information for researchers
The Study Resource
Data collection for the 45 and Up Study commenced in February 2006. Over time we will recruit 250,000 people aged 45 and over, which is 10% of all people in this age group in NSW.
Australia has no other longitudinal study of the scale of the 45 and Up Study; its large size gives the Study power to answer research questions quickly, and also to address a diverse range of research questions, even those relating to uncommon conditions and small population groups
The 45 and Up Study provides the opportunity to answer almost any question about health and ageing and we actively encourage use of the resource by any individual or group provided that ethical and scientific quality criteria are met.
The 45 and Up Study Data Book provides a summary of preliminary data from the first 36,187 participants joining the study up to the 1st September 2006. To view the Data Book click here.
Researchers, evaluators and policy makers are encouraged to use data from this unique study. A list of projects that have been given approval to use data from the 45 and Up Study can be found here.
Use of the 45 and Up Study resource currently comes under five categories:
1. Consulting and data analysis on an ad-hoc fee for service basis: The 45 and Up Study team is very experienced in the design and conduct of long-term and large-scale cohort studies. We also have extensive expertise in the analysis of cohort and linked study data. Arrangements can be made to contract the 45 and Up Study team to undertake one off pieces of work using data from the 45 and Up Study. More …
2. Data analysis and reporting through an agreed program of work: Interested individuals or groups, particularly health policy agencies, can work with the 45 and Up Study team to design a program of work with targeted analyses and identified outputs to ensure the 45 and Up Study data are used efficiently to produce timely and relevant results to inform policy. More …
3. Baseline questionnaire data: Data from the baseline self-administered questionnaire completed by cohort participants can be purchased by interested individuals or groups for independent analyses. These data include information on: health; lifestyle; demographics; and social, economic and other factors that might influence health. More …
4. Linkage studies: Projects using baseline questionnaire data linked with other health data can also be undertaken. The 45 and Up Study has in-principle ethical approval to link to data sets held by Medicare Australia (including MBS and PBS data sets), Department of Health and Ageing, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Sydney South West Area Health Service. The 45 and Up Study is also included in the Master Linkage Key for the NSW Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL). More …
5. Sub-studies: Participants in the 45 and Up Study have given consent to be approached to participate in additional studies, e.g., additional mailed surveys. This provides the opportunity for interested individuals or groups to look more closely at the health of particular populations – people with diabetes, for example, or those living in remote parts of NSW. More …
In the future, we aim to collect biological samples – blood or DNA – to help us understand the relative contribution of environment and genes to healthy ageing. This information will also be added to the Study resource when it becomes available.
Detail on how to apply to use the Study resource is found here.
If you would like further information about using the 45 and Up Study resource you can send an online enquiry by clicking here or you can call the 45 and Up Study helpline on 1300 45 11 45 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).