Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
Official title: Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study (HAALSI)
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11536336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in South Africa follows adults as they age to understand how dementia and Alzheimer’s affect people in LMIC settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $6,385 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AG041710-12S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11536336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in South Africa, aged 40 and older, who are enrolled or willing to join the longitudinal HAALSI cohort.
✕Less likely to help
If you are under 40 or not living in the HAALSI study regions, you would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This program tracks adults in South Africa over many years, collecting surveys, cognitive tests, biomarkers, and death data to understand what puts people at risk for aging-related brain diseases. It builds on previous waves of data and adds new measurements to better connect chronic diseases, aging, and dementia in a low- to middle-income country context. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health partner with local communities to keep participants engaged and to learn how dementia develops over time in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: The study could inform better prevention and care for dementia in Africa and similar settings.
How similar studies have gone: The HAALSI program has successfully collected multiple waves of data, showing feasibility of long-term cognitive and biomarker assessments in this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berkman, Lisa F — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Berkman, Lisa F
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Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.