title: Protocol of the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS) in rural Switzerland.
abstract: Increased longevity and consequent major changes in demographics and population lifestyles necessitate new approaches to reduce the burden of ageing-related diseases (including cardiovascular disease) and maintain an optimal quality of life. This study aims to examine and longitudinally follow health status and disease risk factors in a Swiss rural cohort, evaluating all health-related research and practice disciplines to assure development of new implementable and successful preventive strategies for healthy ageing.
  
  
  
  Small Swiss villages with low migration rates will be selected for this study. 2 villages (Cama/Lostallo) have already been selected as initial study sites. All residents (age ≥6 years, no upper age limit) are eligible. The target enrolment number per village is 300. Examinations and measurements encompass medical history, anthropometry, cardiac and vascular health, pulmonary function, physical performance, nutritional, mental and emotional status, biochemical and molecular analyses. Follow-up examinations (identical to baseline) will be performed after 5 and 10 years, and in 10-year intervals thereafter. The major objective is to assess, and observe change in, health status over time in a prospective manner. Secondary objectives are to: (1) identify 'hidden' (asymptomatic and/or unrecognised) health problems which enhance risk for chronic diseases; (2) identify barriers to accessing healthcare and adapting health behaviours; (3) evaluate efficacy of present preventive strategies and recommendations; (4) evaluate knowledge and attitude towards ongoing health programmes and public health recommendations; (5) monitor change and progress towards the national health objectives; (6) formulate new preventive strategies and recommendations based on the findings and knowledge base of the past 10 years; (7) formulate models for successful prevention of chronic diseases and for healthy ageing.
  
  
  
  The Ethics Committee of Nordwest-und Zentralschweiz approved this study (EKNZ 2014-209). It is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02282748). Findings will be disseminated through scientific articles/presentations and public events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Schoenenberger
authors.affiliation: Outpatient's Medical Clinic, Via i Platani, Vezia (Lugano), Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muggli
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.|Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parati
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallino
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ehret
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Paolo M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schoenenberger-Berzins
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Therese J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Resink
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011634:Public Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: eipdemiology; health status; prevention; risk factors