Ongoing Cohort Studies

CHABLIS aims to advance research in the demography and economics of aging and healthy aging behaviors by leveraging the existing research infrastructures of several large-scale, ongoing cohort studies at the University of Chicago and NORC. Several of these ongoing studies are described below. Center affiliates and early-career investigators are encouraged to reach out to the relevant contacts or center administrator Kelsey Bogue  to learn more about these studies. 

Comprehensive Care Program

Typically, hospitalized patients are seen by hospitalists while primary care doctors provide general outpatient medical care in clinics. Unfortunately this lack of continuity in care does not always bring optimal outcomes, particularly for some of the most vulnerable patients. The Comprehensive Care Program is a large-scale study to test whether people at high risk for hospitalization have improved care, attain better health outcomes, and face lower costs when they receive care from the same doctor in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Preliminary findings suggest the approach causes dramatic decreases in costs and significant improvements in health outcomes.

National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP)

The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) is a longitudinal, population-based study of health and social factors, aiming to understand the well-being of older, community-dwelling Americans by examining the interactions among physical health and illness, medication use, cognitive function, emotional health, sensory function, health behaviors, social connectedness, sexuality, and relationship quality. NSHAP provides policy makers, health providers, and individuals with useful information on and insights into these factors, particularly on social and intimate relationships. The study contributes to finding new ways to improve health as people age.

The Oral Health Project

There is growing evidence that oral health problems can also lead to overall, systemic health problems such as nutritional deficiencies, lower mental health and cognitive function, systemic inflammation, and many others. However, many adults cannot afford dental care to avoid these problems, and Medicare does not currently cover the costs for routine dental care. The Oral Health Project recognizes that addressing dental health issues for hospitalized patients is a unique opportunity to develop plans to tackle subacute and chronic health issues before they progress.

Vitamin D Deficiency & COVID-19

There is evidence that vitamin D may prevent or improve outcomes in many infectious and inflammatory conditions, including acute and chronic respiratory infections. Using data from the University of Chicago Medical Center, we provided some of the earliest evidence to support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may affect COVID-19 risk, finding that patients with vitamin D deficient that was not adequately treated were 77% more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than patients who were not likely vitamin D deficient. Researchers in CHeSS, the Section of Hospital Medicine, and the Urban Health Lab at the University of Chicago are conducting several clinical intervention studies to examine whether vitamin D treatment can aid in the prevention of COVID-19 infection or reduce the severity of infection among different groups of people.

Center for Health and the Social Sciences 
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