The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. Participants are selected via a random sampling method. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. The NHANES interview includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related questions. The examination component consists of medical, dental, and physiological measurements, as well as laboratory tests administered by highly trained medical personnel.
The Amish Research Group of the University of Maryland School of Medicine has been studying the Old Order Amish population in Lancaster County, PA, since 1993. This database currently consists of health-related data on over 7,000 adults resulting from studies ranging from population and basic science to clinical and translational research. Areas of investigation include: Cardiovascular Risk, Diabetes, Bone Health, Blood Pressure, Vascular Imaging, Aging, Breast Tissue Density, Platelet Aggregation, Microbiome, Wellness, and Brain Imaging. Extensive genetic data (genotyping and sequencing) is also available.