title: The Air Force Health Study Data and Specimens as a Resource for Researchers.
abstract: The Air Force Health Study (AFHS) is perhaps the most thorough longitudinal examination of both the health of military personnel and the health effects of herbicide exposure ever conducted. Data were collected through comprehensive physical examinations, questionnaires, and other records at six time points over a 20-year period; 2,758 subjects participated in at least one examination cycle. Data collected during physical examinations included indices of health status overall and specific endpoints for each organ system. Questionnaire data included sociodemographic information, marital and fertility history, health habits, recreation activities, toxic substances exposure, and military experience. Biospecimens were collected at each examination cycle; serum was collected at all six examinations while other biospecimens, such as semen and whole blood, were collected at one time. More than 200 clinical laboratory tests and measures were performed, with more than 60 of these measured at all six cycles. The vast amount of electronic data and the more than 91,000 unaliquoted biospecimens contained in the repository offer unique opportunities for new research on understanding determinants of health. The Institute of Medicine is the custodian of the AFHS materials and conducted a pilot research program to facilitate new research using the materials. An expert committee issued requests for proposals, created a Web-based form for submissions, reviewed and evaluated potential research studies, and made data and biospecimens available to qualified researchers. This article summarizes the experience of this initiative.
authors.affiliation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Institute of Medicine, Medical Follow-up Agency, 500 Fifth Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20001.
authors.forename: Anne N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Styka
authors.affiliation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Institute of Medicine, Medical Follow-up Agency, 500 Fifth Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20001.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000075182:Agent Orange; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D035843:Biomedical Research; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D003678:Defoliants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010808:Physical Examination; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D014481:United States; D047829:Vietnam Conflict
chemical_list: D003678:Defoliants, Chemical; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D000075182:Agent Orange; D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid