VBS Data Releases 2016

November 12, 2020

The 2016 Biomarker Data V1 is now available. The 2016 Biomarker Data were part of the physical measures and biomarker portion of the 2016 Core data collection. The Dried Blood Spot (DBS) data have been collected from approximately half the sample in each year beginning in 2006. Detailed descriptions of the procedures for collection and assay of DBS based data as well as VBS blood-based markers beginning in 2016 are available on the HRS website.

The 2016 VBS Sub Sample Data V1 is now available. These data contain information on homocysteine, clusterin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mtDNA copy number. Procedures for collection, assay, and descriptions of other blood-based variables are included in this documentation (link). These assays were done on a non-random subsample people who participated in the 2016 Venous Blood Study. The sample includes all the participants of the 2016 Healthy Cognitive Aging Project (HCAP) who provided blood samples, younger participants designated for future HCAP assessments, and a subsample of HCAP non-participants. This subsample fully represents the entire HRS sample when weighted.

The 2016 VBS Supplemental File V1 is now available. The VBS 2016 Supplemental File contains additional assays that were measured on the 2016 Venous Blood Study sample. These data contain information on 5 cytokines, vitamin D and IGF-1. Procedures for collection, assay, and descriptions of other blood-based variables are included in the documentation Venous blood collection and assay protocol in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study.