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-11536337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in South Africa follows adults 40 and older to understand how aging affects dementia and Alzheimer’s, using surveys, cognitive tests, and biomarkers.
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) | $1,584,579 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AG041710-12S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11536337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 40 years and older living in Agincourt, South Africa, and surrounding communities who may participate in ongoing surveys, cognitive assessments, and biomarker collection.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not experience changes in cognitive health or who opt out of follow-up may receive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This program tracks a large group of adults in South Africa over many years to map how aging, health conditions, and biomarkers relate to dementia risk. Researchers collect survey data, repeat cognitive assessments, blood and other biomarkers, and mortality information to see how factors cluster and change over time. The study builds on a strong prior cohort and adds a refreshed sample to extend insights for at least thirteen years. The goal is to uncover patterns that could inform prevention, diagnosis, and care for dementia in LMIC settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve understanding of dementia risk in aging populations and guide better prevention and care strategies for people in South Africa and similar settings.
How similar studies have gone: Prior HAALSI data collection has yielded high response rates and valuable longitudinal insights, supporting the value of continued study 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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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.