IJE Advance Access originally published online on March 7, 2008
International Journal of Epidemiology 2009 38(2):379-384; doi:10.1093/ije/dyn042
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Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2008; all rights reserved.
Cohort Profile: The Swiss National Cohort—a longitudinal study of 6.8 million people
1 Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
2 Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
3 Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), University Hospital and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland.
4 Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Basle, Basle, Switzerland.
5 Institut de Médicine Sociale et Préventive (IUMSP), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
* Corresponding author. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), Finkenhubelweg 11, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. E-mail: egger@ispm.unibe.ch
Accepted 11 February 2008
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How did the study come about? |
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For many years research on socio-economic inequalities in health in Switzerland was based on cross-sectional data.1–3 Cross-sectional studies are problematic for several reasons. For example, results may be affected by numerator/denominator bias.4 Furthermore, occupational information from death certificates was used to describe the socio-economic position of individuals. However, this meant that those who do not work, older men and a substantial proportion of women, had to be excluded.
Decennial censuses, conducted at the beginning of December every 10 years, have been done in Switzerland since 1850 (exceptions were 1890 and 1940, which were replaced by a census in 1888 and 1941, respectively). Deaths and causes of death have been registered since 1876, with data stored electronically since 1969. Death registration is anonymous. However, the date of death and birth are available, as well as gender, marital status, place of residence, date of birth of spouse and other variables. The 1990
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What does the study cover? |
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What has been measured? |
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Who is in the sample? |
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How were records linked? |
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What has the Swiss National cohort found? |
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What are the main strengths and weaknesses? |
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Can I get hold of the data and where can I find out more? |
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