Cohort Profile: Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort(BHACS)

Abstract BHACS was established to fill the lack of a large representative cohort of the elderly based on general populations and was designed to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, and natural history of cognitive decline, functional disability, and conventional vascular risk factors. The objectives were to determine the evolution of those diseases by estimating rates and impact factors of progression and reversion to adverse outcomes including dementia, cardiovascular events, cancer, and all-cause death. Therefore, it can provide evidence to help policy-makers develop better policies to promote healthy aging in China. BHACS was formed by three cohorts in Beijing with a total population of 11 235 (6281 in urban, 4954 in rural), the baseline survey time and follow-up time differed between the three. BLSA was followed up in 2014 with the baseline survey completed in 2009; CCHS-Beijing was followed up twice in 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 as its baseline survey was performed in 2013-2015; BECHCS was followed up every two or three years with the baseline investigation completed in 2010-2014. Data were collected using questionnaires, physical measurements, and laboratory analysis. Topics of BHACS include numerous physical and mental health indicators, living habits, and personal, familial, and socio-economic health determinants. There is no immediate plan to make the cohort data freely available in the public domain, specific proposals for further collaboration are welcome.