NSHDS-VIP

The cohort is population-based and consists of blood and data from primarily 40, 50 and 60 year olds, taken every year in this age group in connection with the Västerbotten health surveys from 1985 - present. About half of the individuals have donated blood samples on two or more occasions. The database is administered by the Department of Biobank Research at Umeå University. The biobank samples are handled by Biobanken Norr, Västerbotten County Council. The blood samples consist primarily of EDTA and heparin blood samples divided into plasma, erythrocyte concentrate and buffy coat and for a certain percentage, DNA is extracted. A large part is fasting samples. Survey data concerning health-related lifestyle factors, e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, socioeconomic status and self-perceived health can be linked to the blood samples, and a number of user tables have been created. The database Northern Sweden Diet Database consists of survey data from VIP concerning nutritional factors. The database can be linked to a number of disease registries, e.g. for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. A part of the VIP cohort is included in the EPIC cohort. Purpose: Prospectively collected cohort for all disease areas.