Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study
The Normative Aging Study (NAS) is a longitudinal study of aging in men initiated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 1963. The objectives of the NAS are to:
- Characterize the biomedical and psychosocial parameters of normal aging as distinct from the development of disease;
- Define the incidence and precursors of the diseases accompanying aging; and
- Examine the influence of lifestyle and major life events on the aging process.
- Start Year
- 1963
- Supplementary Information
-
Access to data is by request to the PI’s and is considered on a case-by-case basis. The data are not publicly available.
Second marker paper:
Bossé, R., Ekerdt, D., & Silbert, J. (1984). The Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study. In S. A. Mednick, M. Harway, & K. M. Finello (Eds.), Handbook of longitudinal research: Vol 2. Teenage and adult cohorts (pp. 273-289). New York: Praeger.
Visit VA NAS
| Investigators | Contacts |
|---|---|
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Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Follow Up
-
Originally, participants reported every 3 years (age 52 or older) or 5 years (younger than age 52) for their exam. Since 1986, a 3-year interval has been used for all men. In the month before their scheduled exam, men are mailed a packet of surveys to complete and bring with them to their exam.
- Supplementary Information
Marker Paper
Bell B, Rose CL, Damon H. The Normative Aging Study: an interdisciplinary and longitudinal study of health and aging. Aging and Human Development, 1972; 3: 5-17.
Recruitment
- Recruitment Target
-
- Individuals
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 2,280
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 2,280
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
Timeline
NAS population
The study panel consists of 2280 initially healthy men who were enrolled between 1961 and 1970 in the Boston area, and aged 21 to 81 years.
Selection Criteria
- Sex
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Men
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
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- United States of America
- Territory
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Boston area
- Health Status
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- Initially healthy
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
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- General population
- Supplementary Information
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The participants were recruited through large companies with a stable workforce, including a large insurance company, the post office, and metropolitan police and fire departments, and from radio and newspaper advertisements.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 2,280
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 2,280
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase I
|
The Social Screening survey was used to screen men for admission to the study, and to obtain basic demographic information (e.g., marital, education, and occupation histories), as well as ... |
1963 | 1970 |
| 1 |
NAS - Biomedical Domain
|
Originally, participants reported every 3 years (age 52 or older) or 5 years (younger than age 52) for their exam. Since 1986, a 3-year interval has been used for all men. In the month before ... |
1963 | 2014 |
| 2 |
NAS - Health Behavior Domain
|
Mail surveys on smoking and drinking behaviors were begun in 1973 and continued at irregular intervals. Beginning in 1978, information on tobacco consumption (primarily smoking) has been ... |
1973 | 2014 |
| 3 |
NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase II
|
In Phase II, psychosocial data were collected by mail surveys. A survey on work and retirement was conducted in 1975. Every 3 years thereafter, until 1987, this survey was mailed only to ... |
1975 | 1980 |
| 4 |
NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase III
|
In Phase III, information on mental health and on qualitative and quantitative aspects of social support was obtained in mail surveys in 1985, 1988, and 1991. During February 1990, a ... |
1985 | 2014 |
| 5 |
NAS - Psychosocial Domain - Phase IV
|
In Phase IV, data are collected on health, mental health, stress and coping via a questionnaire sent to men in the month prior to their scheduled biomedical exam. This survey also assesses work ... |
1987 | 2014 |
Classifications
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Diseases
- Symptoms and signs
- Medication and supplements
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Health and community care services utilization
- Death
- Physical measures and assessments
- Laboratory measures
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Preschool, school and work life
- Social environment and relationships
- Physical environment
- Administrative information
- Cognitive functioning
- Personality
- Psychological distress and emotions
- Other psychological measures and assessments
- Life events
- Beliefs and values
- Perception of health
- Quality of life
- Life course development
- Functional limitations
- Other perception of health, quality of life and functional limitation-related information
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Nutrition
- Breastfeeding
- Physical activity
- Sleep
- Sexual behaviours and orientation
- Technological devices
- Misbehaviour and criminality
- Other and unspecified lifestyle information
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Lifestyle and behaviours
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Diseases
Symptoms and signs
Medication and supplements
Non-pharmacological interventions
Health and community care services utilization
Death
Physical measures and assessments
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Preschool, school and work life
Social environment and relationships
Physical environment
Administrative information
Personality
Psychological distress and emotions
Life events
Beliefs and values
Quality of life
Physical activity