Using Human-Led Data Linkage to Improve Aging Studies
Author Information
Author(s): Dorame Ashley N, Antic Mina, Ferrie Joseph, Waldinger Robert, III Avron Spiro, Mroczek Daniel, Lee Lewina
Primary Institution: Boston University School Of Medicine
Hypothesis
It is unknown whether the associations of early adversity with later-life health may replicate in prospective designs.
Conclusion
Human-led data linkage is an effective strategy to enhance the scientific value of longitudinal aging studies.
Supporting Evidence
- Hand-linkage identified 10,146 female and male siblings of the original cohort members.
- Match rates for hand-linkage were significantly higher than those using a commonly used algorithm.
Takeaway
Researchers found a better way to connect old data about people's childhoods to their health later in life, which helps us understand how early experiences affect aging.
Methodology
The study used human-led data linkage to connect early-life family and neighborhood conditions from U.S. Censuses to participants in longitudinal aging studies.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from three all-male longitudinal aging studies.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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