The "Singapore Chinese Health Study" is a cohort study established by the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health in National University of Singapore, together with collaborators from several universities in the United States of America. This is a long-term study to help doctors and scientists understand the influence of diet, lifestyle and environment on the development of common diseases among Singaporean men and women. This includes cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, osteoporosis, high cholesterol and diabetes. The aim is to help us understand the causes of these diseases and to discover effective and efficient approaches for prevention and treatment.

The cohort consists of more than 60,000 men and women who were enrolled in the Singapore Chinese Health Study during 1993-1998. At the time of enrollment, participants were interviewed in-person regarding their dietary habits and other lifestyle factors. About half of them also donated small amounts of blood and urine for research between 2000 and 2004.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Housing estate residents, ages 45-74 years, Chinese

Exclusion Criteria:

• None

The study was established between April 1993 and December 1998 through the recruitment of a residential cohort of 63,257 Chinese men (n=27,959) and women (n=35,298), who were aged 45-74 years, and residing in public housing estates.