DOI: 10.3886/icpsr04050
title: Charleston Heart Study, Charleston, South Carolina, 1960-2000
title: Archival Version

description: The Charleston Heart Study (CHS) represents data collected over a 41-year period (1960-2000) in order to provide an understanding of the natural progression of aging in a community-based cohort. In 1960 the CHS began enrolling a random selection of community residents who were 35 years of age and older -- including men and women, Black and White. The primary hypothesis of the original study was to investigate racial differences in the manifestation and risk factors for coronary disease. Over the ensuing 40+ years, a variety of outcome measurements were incorporated into the re-examination of the participants, including psychosocial, behavioral, aging, and functional measures. As a longitudinal study, the CHS allows for the study of the risk factors, correlates, and consequences of aging, while simultaneously allowing for exploration of racial disparity in the manifestation of putative risk factors and outcomes. The CHS began with baseline data and added a special cohort of Black men. In subsequent years three separate follow-ups were conducted. The data include death information for respondents and background characteristics (age, race, sex, occupation, education, and marital status).
description: To provide an understanding of the natural progression of aging in a community-based cohort. The primary hypothesis of the original study was to investigate racial differences (Black and White) in the manifestation and risk factors for coronary disease. As a longitudinal study, the CHS allows for the study of the risk factors, correlates, and consequences of aging, while allowing for exploration of racial disparity in the manifestation of putative risk factors and outcomes.
description: The study was completed during the course of 6 phases, with each phase containing a unique study design: <strong>Baseline:</strong> The baseline data are derived from both a personal interview and a brief physical examination with each participant. <strong>Phase 3 (Additional Cohort):</strong> A special cohort of 102 Black men were recruited to fill a void of higher socioeconomic status Black men that resulted from the initial cohort selection in 1960-61. 125 Black men were nominated for inclusion by their peers and resulted in 102 observations. The data are derived from both a personal interview and a brief physical examination with each participant. <strong>Phase 10 (Recall 3):</strong> Returning subjects participated in an in-home interview with one of two trained interviewers. Those participants who were unable to be interviewed in person were contacted by telephone or mail. A separate questionnaire was developed for the purpose of self-completion, and is not included in the documentation. For the listed interview, the order of the variables generally follows the questionnaire. The user is cautioned to consider the many skip patterns used in administering the questionnaire. <strong>Phase 11 (Recall 4):</strong> Returning subjects participated in part or all of a follow-up study. Parameters included background information; general health information; smoking history; functional disability; a cardiovascular questionnaire; sexual dysfunction; cognitive disability; Raynaud's phenomenon; medication history; serum sample; urinalysis; Holter monitoring; electrocardiograph; cardiovascular history; and physical examination <strong>Phase 12 (Recall 5):</strong> Returning subjects participated in part or all of a follow-up study. Parameters included serum sample; urinalysis; blood pressure; hearing and visual screening; cognitive disability; walking test; medical history; physical exam; and questionnaires covering background information, general health, smoking history, functional disability, physical ability, cardiovascular health, sexual dysfunction, depression, coffee consumption, medication history, and nutrition <strong>Deaths:</strong> data sources included the National Death Index and death certificates. Birthdates were obtained from several sources including follow-up surveys, death certificates, and internet resources. Study participants not confirmed deceased have a date of last contact provided.
description: DS1: Baseline Data 2,181 cases, 48 variables DS2: Phase 3 Additional Cohort Data 102 cases, 38 variables DS3: Phase 10 (Recall 3) Data 1,040 cases, 253 variables DS4: Phase 11 (Recall 4) Data 1,022 cases, 531 variables DS5: Phase 12 (Recall 5) Data 917 cases, 570 variables DS6: Deaths 2,283 cases, 13 variables
description: Presence of Common Scales: Physical Disability IndexHealth Scale for the AgedWechsler Memory ScaleShort Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ)Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale
description: Clustered geographical probability sample.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: Baseline Data DS2: Phase 3 Additional Cohort Data DS3: Phase 10 (Recall 3) Data DS4: Phase 11 (Recall 4) Data DS5: Phase 12 (Recall 5) Data DS6: Deaths
description: Residents of Charleston County, South Carolina in 1960. Smallest Geographic Unit: City
description: cognitive assessment test; face-to-face interview; mail questionnaire; on-site questionnaire; telephone interviewThe documentation for this collection is available for direct download; the data files are restricted-use and users must complete the data use agreement to access the data.