The Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study: Design, Methods, and Baseline Characteristics

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 17
• Main Authors: Thompson, Terri-Ann M, Desai, Mayur M, Martinez-Brockman, Josefa L, Tessier-Sherman, Baylah, Nunez, Maxine, Adams, O Peter, Nazario, Cruz María, Maharaj, Rohan G, Nunez-Smith, Marcella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.12.2023
• Subjects: Adult; Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Caribbean Region - epidemiology; Chronic illnesses; Cohort analysis; Cohort Studies; Collaboration; Community; Data collection; Diabetes; Disease control; Female; Health disparities; Households; Humans; Hypertension; Islands; Male; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; Noncommunicable Diseases; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Surveillance; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; West Indies; United States; West Indies; Caribbean Region; Canada; Puerto Rico; Barbados; Virgin Islands-US; United States > US; prevalence; cohort study; health disparities; United States; chronic disease; US territories; noncommunicable diseases; biobank; Caribbean region
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010017

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for a higher proportion of mortality and morbidity in the Caribbean and US territories-majority-minority communities-than in the United States or Canada. Strategies to address this disparity include enhancing data collection efforts among racial/ethnic communities. The ECHORN Cohort Study (ECS), a regional adult cohort study, estimates prevalence and assesses risk factors for NCDs in two United States territories and two Caribbean islands. Here, we describe the cohort study approach, sampling methods, data components, and demographic makeup for wave one participants. We enrolled ECS participants from each participating island using random and probability sampling frames. Data components include a clinical examination, laboratory tests, a brief clinical questionnaire, and a self-administered health survey. A subset of ECS participants provided a blood sample to biobank for future studies. Approximately 2961 participants were enrolled in wave one of the ECS. On average, participants are 57 years of age, and the majority self-identify as female. Data from the ECS allow for comparisons of NCD outcomes among racial/ethnic populations in the US territories and the US and evaluations of the impact of COVID-19 on NCD management and will help highlight opportunities for new research.