Save the date! The 2024 Add Health Users Conference will take place on Monday, June 17, 2024, and Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. More information will be provided later this fall, along with a Call for Papers available on November 1, 2023. Visit the 2024 Add Health Users Conference website for additional details.
We hope to see you there!
In collaboration with the UNC Chief Information Officer and the Research Computing Unit at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Add Health is making the UNC Secure Research Workspace (UNC SRW) available for restricted-use contract researchers to analyze Add Health data in UNC’s enterprise secure data enclave free of charge. (Please note that a processing and set-up fee to obtain an Add Health restricted-use contract still applies). This is a major upgrade to the way Add Health is disseminating restricted-use data and we think will be very helpful for users of restricted-use Add Health data all over the world. In a nutshell, this means we will phase out “pushing restricted-use data out” to the user community. Instead, contract users will use Add Health restricted-use data by logging in to the SRW at UNC. This should make using restricted-use Add Health data easier for the user community. Moreover, it will help keep Add Health data more secure in our efforts to maintain the strict confidentiality of our participants.
As new users apply for contracts and as current restricted-use contracts expire, we will help users begin using the UNC SRW. We will make this process as seamless as possible. Looking ahead, Wave VI restricted-use data will be fully disseminated through the UNC SRW when those data are released (ETA 2025).
** Please note that Add Health will continue to produce and disseminate public-use data through ICPSR at the University of Michigan. **
Accessing the SRW:
More details
User Feedback:
Our goal is to make the use of Add Health data for contract researchers as straightforward as possible. Over the last few months, we have slowly begun moving researchers to the UNC SRW. As more researchers are added to the SRW, we will carefully monitor progress and problems in the effort to best serve the user community. Here is just a small sampling of what current non-UNC Add Health researchers who are using the UNC SRW are saying:
“… it has been wonderful to use — easy, intuitive, and reliable. I am so glad you helped us set up this option.”
“Everyone on the team has been very responsive! Add Health staff sent the output very quickly. Very communicative…There has been a level of collegiality that is unparalleled. Everyone on the UNC team has been great. Excited to be part of the SRW!”
Thank you for being an Add Health restricted-use data user. We will continue to put tremendous effort into collecting and disseminating great data for the scientific community. Please contact us at addhealth_contracts@unc.edu if you have questions or concerns regarding our transition to the UNC SRW.
Add Health is excited to be attending the Society for Epidemiological Research 2023 Conference in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, June 13th to Friday, June 16th. Come by the exhibit hall where Add Health staff with be at booth #4 and be sure to check out the following posters using Add Health Data:
Poster Session 1, Health Disparities
Tuesday, June 13, Exhibit Hall
7:30 PM to 8:30PM
P-596. Comparing lifetime polyvictimization and mental health outcomes in women with vs without incarceration histories: A population based latent class analysis Sandra P. Arevalo, PhD* [57496] Arevalo Qianwei Zhao
Purpose: This study uses data from the Add Health, a national and longitudinal survey, to identify women with (n = 418) and with no incarceration histories (n = 5,099) to compare lifetime trauma exposure and risk for distal mental health and substance use outcomes in women with vs. without incarceration histories. Method: With a detailed list of traumas that captures the category (e.g., sexual, physical, psychological), the perpetrator (parent, partner, other), and timing (e.g., childhood, adolescence, adulthood) of the exposure, we used Latent Class Analysis to identify distinct groups of polytrauma exposure in the two groups of women. Multivariate logistic regressions examine the association between class membership and mental health (depressive symptomatology, PTSD, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt), and substance misuse (alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drug misuses) outcomes, after adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: we identify a unique pattern of trauma exposure characterized by high exposure to multiple types of childhood abuse that persisted during the preschool and middle childhood years in the group of women with incarceration histories. Different groups of polytrauma exposure were associated with distinctive mental health and substance misuse outcomes among women with incarceration histories, but not in women without incarceration histories. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the common prevalence of polyvictimization exposure in both women with and without histories of incarceration; and point to distinct patterns created by the type, frequency, and timing of the trauma exposure, and their distinct associations to distal psychological health outcomes, and possibly criminal justice involvement.
Poster Session 1, Neurology
Tuesday, June 13, Exhibit Hall
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
P-959. Evaluating Pathways between Dementia Risk Factors, Biomarkers of AD/ADRD, and Cognitive Function in Young Adulthood. Jennifer Momkus* [57496] Aiello Jennifer Momkus Rebecca Stebbins Yuan Zhang Y. Claire Yang Kathleen Mullan Harris
Background: The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) risk score has shown significant predictive value for AD and cognitive impairment in older age populations. Yet, it is increasingly recognized that neuropathology and cognitive decline begin much earlier, including during young adulthood. Thus, there is a need to examine the utility of risk scores for AD in younger adult populations. We tested the association of the CAIDE score in predicting cognitive function in young adults and assessed whether the score was associated with biomarkers of AD/ADRD risk in young adulthood. Methods: Participants were from Wave IV (ages 24-34) and Wave V (ages 33-44) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The CAIDE score was constructed based on survey and physical exam data using age, educational attainment, sex, systolic blood pressure, BMI, total cholesterol, and physical activity. Measures of word recall and digit span backwards tasks were used to assess cognitive function. We used survey-weighted linear regression to estimate the associations between CAIDE score and (1) cognitive function (2) biomarkers of inflammation and neurological damage at each wave (including C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin (IL)-6, total Tau, Neurofilament light, among others), adjusting for race/ethnicity and early life socioeconomic status (SES). Results: A higher CAIDE score at Wave IV was associated with lower cognitive function at Wave IV and Wave V (see Figure 1). A higher CAIDE score was also associated with higher levels of CRP and IL-6 in both waves. Neither the Wave IV nor Wave V CAIDE score predicted markers of neurodegeneration. Conclusions: Even in early adulthood, known dementia risk factors were associated with cognitive function. Chronic inflammation may play a role in this relationship. Intervention earlier in the life course may be especially effective for prevention of AD/ADRD.
Poster Session 2, Cardiovascular
Wednesday, June 14, Exhibit Hall
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
P- 244. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Hypertension Risk in Adulthood: Results from Wave V of the Add Health Study. Fahad Mansuri* [57496] Mansuri Megan C. Barry Jill Desch Dieu Tran Skai Schwartz Chighaf Bakour
Background and objective: The impact of the clustering of multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on hypertension in adulthood has not been adequately explored. We examined the association of ACEs with hypertension and assessed sex and race as effect modifiers using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Methods: We used data from Waves I, III, IV, and V of the Add Health study. An ACE score (range: 0-9) variable indicating the total number of ACEs experienced out of the nine ACEs (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; parental incarceration, alcoholism, divorce/separation; foster home placement; and exposure to community violence) was created and split into five categories of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more ACEs. Hypertension was defined as: SBP≥130 mm/Hg and/or DBP≥90 mm/Hg; taking an antihypertensive medication; and/or self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. The association between ACE score and hypertension was examined using multivariable regression analysis. Interaction terms for race and sex were included in models to examine the effect modification and the models were adjusted for participant’s sex; race; age, household income, and parental education at Wave I. Results: The final sample included 5,157 participants with a mean age of 15 years at Wave I and 37 at Wave V. About 50% of the participants were female and 17% of the participants were African American. The risk of hypertension (Wave V) in participants with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more ACEs was 37.6%, 39.3%, 44.8%, 42.7% and 41.1% respectively. The adjusted RR (95% CI) of hypertension in the participants with 1, 2, 3, 4 or more ACEs (vs. 0 ACE) was 1.0 (0.9, 1.2), 1.1 (0.9, 1.3), 1.1 (0.9, 1.3), and 0.9 (0.8, 1.2) respectively. Likewise, the adjusted RD (95% CI) of hypertension in the participants with 1, 2, 3, 4 or more ACEs (vs. 0 ACE) was -0.05 (-5.2, 5.1), 4.4 (-1.7, 10.4), 2.8 (-4.8, 10.4), and -1.52 (-9.4, 6.4) respectively. There was no evidence of interaction of sex and race with ACEs score on the multiplicative or additive scales. Conclusion: Using data from the Add Health study, we found that experiencing higher number of ACEs was not associated higher risk of hypertension in adulthood. We also found no evidence of effect modification of the association between ACEs and hypertension by sex or race.
Poster Session 2, Perinatal & Pediatric
Wednesday June 14, Exhibit Hall
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
P- 1096. Upward mobility is associated with preterm birth but not low birthweight. Julia M Porth* [57496] Porth Bobby K Cheon
Background: Changes in socioeconomic status (SES) between adolescence and adulthood, termed SES mobility, may influence perinatal health via changes in resources available to engage in healthy behaviors, stress, and psychological strain due to changing status. This analysis examined relationships between SES mobility and women’s experiences of delivering a child who is preterm (PTB) or has a low birthweight (LBW). Methods: Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. SES was defined as a combination of education, occupation, and income, assessed among parents (when participants were aged 12-19) and later in adult participants (aged 24-32). SES mobility was the difference between parent and adult SES quintile, categorized as short-range (adult SES 1 quintile higher/lower than parent SES) and long-range (adult SES 2-4 quintiles higher/lower than parent SES). Those who did not experience SES mobility were categorized as having high SES immobility or low SES immobility. Relationships were assessed using logistic regressions accounting for complex survey design and clustering of births by mother. Results: Samples included 1,041 births from 672 mothers (PTB) and 1,013 births from 655 mothers (LBW). Compared to high SES immobility, upward mobility was associated with higher odds of PTB (OR: 2.77 [95% CI: 1.26, 6.08]), results which seem to be largely driven by short-range upward mobility (OR: 2.78 [1.28, 6.03]). Odds of PTB were higher among downwardly mobile participants though the 95% CI contained the null (OR: 1.82 [0.82, 4.03]). Neither upward nor downward mobility were associated with odds of LBW. Conclusions: Contrary to previous studies using more geographically restricted samples, results of the present study suggest upward mobility may be associated with increased odds of PTB. Future research should seek to clarify specific groups in which upward SES mobility can be harmful to perinatal health.
The following data are now available to Add Health contract researchers.
Polygenic Index Inventories – Release 2
This data file is a 2022 update of the polygenic scores computed by the SSGAC consortium for anthropometric traits, cognition/education, fertility/sexual development, health/health behaviors, and personality/well being. N=5,689 Current Add Health investigators can log in to the CPC Data Portal and use the “Request More Data” button to order this dataset.
For more information on the CPC Data Portal, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
The following data are now available to Add Health contract researchers.
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health across the Life Course (SOGI-SES)
This file contains new survey data to support exploration of the relationships among sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, romantic and sexual behaviors, socioeconomic status, and health. It contains social, demographic, behavioral, and health data collected in 2020-2021 on a sample of Add Health Wave V participants. N=2,614
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health across the Life Course (SOGI-SES) – Sensitive
This file contains the SOGI-SES study’s sensitive data variables related to gender identity, in vitro fertilization, and HIV status. N=2,614
This datafile has special requirements for access, please see requirements listed on the CPC Data Portal.
Some additional information: The SOGI-SES study sample is comprised of sexual and gender minorities and a comparison sample of people identifying as cisgender and heterosexual. Variables also include information about romantic partners, family formation, COVID-19, mental health, perceived discrimination, major life discrimination, economics and intergenerational transfers, parental acceptance, sexual behavior, as well as household and child rosters. Variables identified as sensitive are available in the SOGI-SES – Sensitive data file.
Note the SOGI-SES Survey is publicly available on the Add health website under Documentation.
Current Add Health investigators can log in to the CPC Data Portal and use the “Request More Data” button to order this dataset.
For more information on the CPC Data Portal, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday, April 19th, the newest members of its prestigious academy.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an honorary society that recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals in academia, the arts, business, government and public affairs. The academy, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded to recognize accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good. The organization’s work is wide-ranging and multidisciplinary, with current areas of focus that include arts and humanities, democracy and justice, education, energy and environment, global affairs, and science and technology.
Dr. Hummer is the Howard W. Odum Distinguished Professor of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a demographer whose research centers on health and mortality disparities across population groups in the United States. Hummer is also a fellow of the Carolina Population Center and director of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Add Health is the largest, most comprehensive nationally representative and longitudinal study of the health of adolescents who have now aged into adulthood ever conducted in the United States. In March 2021, Add Health received two major awards from the National Institute on Aging worth an expected $38.2 million over five years to enable the project to follow the original adolescent cohort into their 40s.
To read the full announcement, visit the American Academy of the Arts & Sciences website.
For other news from the UNC College of Arts and Sciences click here.
Wave I & II School District Grouping Data
To facilitate clustering by school district, the school district identifiers comprising this file are based on the Local education agency identification numbers (LEAID) of the school districts in which the Wave I school, Wave I residence, and Wave II residence were situated. The first two characters of this LEAID represent state and reflect state codes assigned by Add Health in other disseminated data similarly intended for clustering at different geographic areas. N=84,166
This datafile has additional requirements for access, please read the requirements carefully before requesting. The requirements are listed on the CPC Data Portal.
Current Add Health investigators can log in to the CPC Data Portal and use the “Request More Data” button to order this dataset.
For more information on the CPC Data Portal, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Add Health Director, Dr. Robert Hummer, will participate in the Center For Studies in Demography & Ecology (CSDE) Seminar series on Friday, March 3rd at 12:30 PM PT.
In addition to Dr. Hummer, this expert panel includes Professor Luciana (Lucy) Hebert (WSU) and Dr. Phil Hurvitz (CSDE), who will introduce the Add Health Data and the fascinating, exciting and innovative data that are available when you can access the secure data files housed within the CSDE’s UW Data Collaborative. For over 25 years, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) project has provided the scientific community with innovative data to understand the health and social life of a nationally representative cohort of Americans who were in grades 7-12 in 1994-95. The data now include five waves of data, social network and biomarker information, parental data, mental health information and more. The panel will introduce the Add Health data, including a discussion of which data sets are available, how to search for variables users may be interested in the different data sets, and how to access the data, particularly within the UW Data Collaborative (https://dcollab.uw.edu/data/add-health/). Examples of research results will also be presented.
To register, visit the CSDE Seminar Series website.
The following data are now available to Add Health contract researchers.
Historical Neighborhood Redlining
This contextual database allows researchers to identify potential long-term consequences of redlining for contemporary inequities in neighborhood environments, and individual health and socioeconomic attainment over the life course. N=20,706
Waves III – V Multi-year Air Pollution Exposure Estimates
The air pollution data described here provide longer-term estimates of air pollution exposure that can be used to address a broad range of research questions related to how air pollution exposure over time may relate to a variety of health outcomes. N=20,745
This datafile has special requirements for access, please see requirements listed on the CPC Data Portal.
Waves I & II School Desegregation Disparities
This file contains data on the levels of school racial segregation experienced by Add Health respondents during their school-age years, related school district characteristics, and measures of tract-level residential segregation present in adulthood (Waves III-V). N=84,166
Wave V Birth Records Database
The Add Health Birth Records Database describes the birth event of Add Health sample members (AHSMs) born between 1974 and 1983. This database was constructed using birth certificate information and birth data of AHSMs reported by AHSMs and their parents. The Birth Records Database represents a subset of the larger Add Health study sample and is composed of AHSMs consenting to Add Health’s use of their birth record data and born in states with agreements to make birth record data available to Add Health. N=2,391 Current Add Health investigators can log in to the CPC Data Portal and use the “Request More Data” button to order this dataset.
For more information on the CPC Data Portal, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Former Add Health Director, Dr. Kathleen Mullan Harris, will join panelists to speak at the Interdisciplinary Association of Population Health (IAPHS) webinar, “Warts and All: Successes and Failures in Population Health Grant Writing,” on Thursday, February 16th from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EDT. In this webinar, esteemed panelists (all of whom are past presidents of IAPHS) will discuss how their grant proposal “failures” helped them learn valuable lessons along the way, which will give us a more balanced sense of what a fulfilling career in population health looks like. In addition to Dr. Harris, panelists include Dr. Mark Hayward, Dr. Bruce Link, and Dr. Roland J. Thorpe, Jr.
For more information or to register for the webinar, visit the IAPHS event page.
