Cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the biggest contributors to morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, killing more Black individuals in the US and the Caribbean than any other ethnic/racial group.
While these diseases are related to genetic and lifestyle practices, studying genetically similar Black populations in various geographic locations can help us understand the role of place on disease risk and outcomes.
Cohort studies are best suited to provide us with these insights.
The process
The study will contact participants from the third Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (JHLS-III). Focus groups were conducted among JHLS-III participants and study staff to guide strategies to improve recruitment and retention of participants for this cohort.
We will enroll Jamaica Health and Lifestyle III (JHLS-III) participants and along with men and non-pregnant women aged 30-70 years old from the same communities to create a longitudinal cohort (follow up study) of 8,000 Jamaican residents.
In the field
FAQs
The need for consent
Informed consent explaining the risks and benefits of participating in the study and the right to withdraw at any time will be clearly communicated to all potential study participants. Training of staff will be conducted to maintain confidentiality and data integrity. Information will be stored in a secure electronic environment that meets national and international data security standards.