Overview
Dataset Summary
The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) is a large prospective cohort study that began in 1986 with 51,529 male health professionals. The study focuses on identifying risk factors—particularly dietary and lifestyle factors—for major chronic diseases. Approximately 20,000 participants remain actively followed.
HPFS collects detailed longitudinal data on diet, physical activity, medication use, medical history, and incident chronic diseases. Researchers frequently analyze HPFS data alongside the Nurses’ Health Study II to conduct sex-specific and comparative analyses of lifestyle and health outcomes.
Caveats
- Investigators must request permission to collaborate and access data through the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- For projects tied to grant applications, proposals must be submitted at least 10 weeks before the grant deadline.
- Depending on the proposed work, access may be free or may require fees.
- Cohort consists of male health professionals, which may limit generalizability.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
- Association of healthy lifestyle factors with longevity
- Incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes
- Nutrition and dietary patterns in relation to chronic disease
- Medication use and long-term health outcomes
- Comparative analyses with female cohorts (e.g., Nurses’ Health Study II)
Topic
Clinical Epidemiology, Population Health, Quality and Outcomes
Resource Type
Dataset
Share
Related Resources
National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS)
Overview Topic: Hospital Utilization; Inpatient Care; Emergency Department Care; Outpatient Services Dataset…
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Systems
Overview Topic: Electronic Medical Records; Clinical Care; Health Services Research; Quality Improvement…
MarketScan Research Databases
Overview Topic: Healthcare Utilization; Cost of Care; Insurance Claims; Health Services Research…
