NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Lead Contact

• Linda Liao, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG)
  National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Principal Investigator (PI):

• Rashmi Sinha, Ph.D.
  Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG)
  National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Funded Since: 1995
Funding Source: NCI Intramural Program (DCEG)
Year(s) of Enrollment: 1995-1996
Study Website: http://dietandhealth.cancer.gov

The NIH-AARP (formally known as the American Association of Retired Persons) Diet and Health Study was initiated to investigate relations among diet, lifestyle, and cancer. In 1995 and 1996, the study recruited more than 560,000 AARP members, aged 50 to 71 years, who resided in one of six states (California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Louisiana) or in two metropolitan areas (Atlanta, Georgia, and Detroit, Michigan). The baseline questionnaire collected information on diet and some lifestyle factors. Subsequently in 1996 and 1997, the study mailed the participants a Risk-Factor Questionnaire which asked additional questions about lifestyle and behavior. In 2004 to 2006, a follow-up questionnaire was administered. The study ascertains cancer incidence through a linkage of the cohort to state cancer registries and vital status through the Social Security Administration Death Master File and follow-up searches of the National Death Index Plus.