title: Cohort Profile: The Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS) cohort.
abstract: The PONS cohort is a longitudinal observational regional study collecting information on health and health-related behaviours in the south-eastern part of Poland. The study aims at providing information on determinants of health differences between Poland and other countries in the region, especially related to premature mortality. The baseline data collection contains records for 13 172 individuals (2010-11), between 45 and 64 years of age, from the city of Kielce and surrounding rural area. All cohort members were volunteer participants and gave informed consent prior to inclusion. Data were collected on current health status, medical history and health-related behaviours with focus on preventable causes of chronic diseases, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and dietary habits. In addition to an extensive questionnaire, blood and urine samples were collected for storage. The study is expected to provide valuable evidence related to various lifestyle behaviours and health, and insight into the usefulness of population approaches for preventive interventions in Polish communities. To access data or biological material or to use the sample to recruit participants for new studies, researchers should contact the principal investigator, Witold A Zatonski at: [canepid@coi.waw.pl].
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manczuk
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffetta
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Lars J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Vatten
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Witold A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Zatonski
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires