The BWHS is the largest follow-up study of the health of African-American women yet conducted. The purpose is to identify and evaluate causes and preventives of cancers and other serious illnesses in African-American women. Among the diseases being studied are breast cancer, colon cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, uterine fibroids, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. The study began in 1995, when 59,000 black women from all parts of the United States enrolled through postal questionnaires. The women provided demographic and health data on the 1995 baseline questionnaire, including information on weight, height, smoking, drinking, contraceptive use, use of other selected medications, illnesses, reproductive history, physical activity, diet, use of health care, and other factors. The participants are followed through biennial questionnaires to determine the occurrence of cancers and other illnesses and to update information on risk factors. Completion of follow-up questionnaires by members of the 1995 cohort has exceeded 80% in each cycle of follow-up. Information on outcomes is validated through medical record review. Validation studies of diet, anthropometric measures, and physical activity have been completed. In a genetic component, saliva samples are being obtained from participants; DNA from the samples will serve as a resource for testing hypotheses about gene-environment interactions.
Special Studies:
Investigators:
Lynn Rosenberg, Sc.D., Principal Investigator
Slone Epidemiology Center
Julie R. Palmer, Sc.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Slone Epidemiology Center
Lucile L. Adams-Campbell, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Howard University Cancer Center
Lauren Wise, Sc.D.
Slone Epidemiology Center
Yvette Cozier, D.Sc.
Slone Epidemiology Center
Postdoctroal Fellow:
Supriya Krishnan, D.Sc.
Slone Epidemiology Center
Study Staff:
Cordelia Russell, M.P.H. , Project Coordinator
Carolyn Conte, M.P.H., Research Coordinator
Deborah Boggs, M.S., Research Data Analyst
Dianne Dunn, Research Coordinator
Thuy Lam, M.P.H., Research Coordinator
Patricia Simmons, Study Supervisor
Research Assistants:
Sharon Cornelius, M.S.
Cassandra Edwards
Juanita Hope
Se Li, M.D.
Maria Petzold
Lindsay Dudgeon
Funding Source:
National Cancer Institute
Study Period:
1994 to present
Publications:
Link to Publications
Contact Information:
Black Women's Health Study
1010 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
1 (800) 786-0814
Email Delia Russell at drussell@slone.bu.edu
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