Life course program encompasses two cohort studies
The aim of the Life Course Program is to relate life events beginning in the womb to later health and wellbeing. The Life Course Program encompasses two cohort studies, the Aboriginal Birth Cohort study and the Top End Cohort study.
Aboriginal Birth CohortLife course study of Indigenous people
Top End CohortLife course study of non-Indigenous people
The Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study (ABC) is the largest and longest running Indigenous birth cohort in Australia. Commencing in 1987 it has been following the health of Indigenous people in their place of residence across the Top End.
1987 - 1990 Birth - recruitment
Dr Sue Sayers founded the largest and longest running prospective study of Indigenous babies.
1998 - 2001 Childhood
85% of the original cohort was seen at mean age of 11 years.
2005 - 2008 Adolescence
71% of the original cohort was seen at a mean age of 18 years.
2013 - 2015 Young Adulthood
71% of the original cohort was seen at mean age of 25 years.
2019 - 2023 Adulthood
47% of the original cohort was seen at mean age of 30 years.
The Top End Cohort Study is a prospective, life course study of non-Indigenous people living in the Top End, NT.
1987 - 1991 Birth
All members of the TEC study were born in Darwin, NT between 1987 and 1991. Retrospective birth characteristics have been obtained from their hospital records.
2007 - 2009 Adolescence - Recruitment
196 non-Indigenous adolescents born in Darwin between 1987-1991 were recruited.
2013 - 2015 Young Adulthood
117 of the original cohort was seen at mean age 25 years.
2019 - 2023 Adulthood
47% of the original cohort was seen at mean age of 30 years.
