A 20-year longitudinal epidemiologic study and its continued applicability for new research findings and directions: The Air Force Health Study

The U.S. Congress asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to help make a uniquely rich and largely unexplored longitudinal epidemiologic database available to researchers and to facilitate more expansive research on the materials. Available data comprise medical, physical exam, and laboratory records as well as information collected from extensive questionnaires on ~2,200 male veterans. Participants were followed for up to 20 years and took part in up to six intensive, multiday exams in years 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 of the study. Information includes objective clinical measures and outcomes and self-reported socioeconomic status; marital and fertility history; child and family health; health habits; recreation, leisure, and physical activities; toxic substances exposure; and military experience. Biospecimens were collected at each exam and subjected to >200 laboratory tests and measures; many parameters were measured repeatedly over time. About 91,000 biospecimens (serum, whole blood, urine, semen, and adipose tissue) were stored and are available for use in future analyses. The cohort’s biospecimens are particularly valuable in that some types—such as serum and urine—were collected longitudinally and all of the samples can be linked to the extensive information contained in the database. These assets are now being made available to the scientific community for use in novel research studies. This presentation will address: the characteristics of the data and biospecimens, and scientific merit of their continued study; the status of the IOM management and dissemination effort including examples of successful research projects using the assets; and potential future research opportunities.