Cohort Profile Update: The Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) Study

The original cohortIn 2010, the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study was designed to provide a knowledge base on inequalities in health and healthcare between the six largest ethnic groups living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1, 2].HELIUS was set up by the Amsterdam University Medical Center and the Public Health Service (GGD) of Amsterdam as a prospective population-based study with stratified sampling across ethnic groups to allow equal sample sizes.Baseline data collection took place between 2011 and 2015, and consisted of Key Features The Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study is an ongoing prospective multiethnic cohort study in Amsterdam, The Netherlands that started in 2011. The principle aim of HELIUS is to investigate the causes of (the unequal burden of) diseases across ethnic groups, with an emphasis on mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, and infectious disease, and their interrelationships. Stratified sampling by ethnic group resulted in similar-sized samples of individuals of Dutch, African Surinamese, South-Asian Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish, and Moroccan origin. Between 2011 and 2015, 24 780 individuals (aged 18-70 years) participated in the baseline examination that consisted of a questionnaire, physical examination, and collection of biological material. Between 2019 and 2022, the first follow-up data collection took place among 11 035 participants (aged 22-79 years) with an average follow-up time of 6.4 years.In addition, follow-up data have been collected through linkage with healthcare registries. The HELIUS study has several existing collaborations.For new collaborative projects and inquiries, please contact heliuscoordinator@ amsterdamumc.nl.