Biomarkers in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study The aim of the project described in this application is to develop, evaluate and disseminate the biological data from the pilot phase of the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), specifically data from blood. Like the U.S. Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) and related surveys such as the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), CHARLS is collecting a set of biomarkers. The collection of biological data was supported by the pilot project but the assays and analysis (including validation) of the biomarkers is not supported by that project. This application requests support to develop the laboratory capacity in China to perform assays of blood samples collected using dried blood spots from 1873 respondents. It also requests support to perform assays of these dried blood spots to provide measures of high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin. We will also compare results from assays done in China to those done in labs used for HRS assays of dried blood spots. This project will also support the evaluation, documentation, and distribution of data from these assays.

Public Health Relevance

The Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) will provide detailed information on the health of the Chinese population over 45. Biomarker data will clarify the level of risk for major health outcomes such as mortality, heart disease and loss of physical and cognitive function in this rapidly aging society which will be a dominant force in world aging. The results of this study will add assay data from blood spot samples to the CHARLS public data, greatly enriching these data.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AG033675-01A1
Application #
7738461
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-HOP-B (90))
Program Officer
Haaga, John G
Project Start
2009-08-01
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$204,552
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
072933393
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90089