Health of older Chinese seasonal migrants
Chinese Migrant Population Health Cohort
This project will follow older adults who move seasonally between cold Heilongjiang and tropical Hainan to see if their migration patterns affect heart, metabolic, and aging-related health.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 26000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 120 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Harbin Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Harbin, Heilongjiang) |
| Trial ID | NCT07124949 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, multi-center cohort enrolling adults aged 60 and older who seasonally migrate between Harbin (Heilongjiang) and Hainan. Participants undergo standardized baseline questionnaires, physical exams, imaging, and collection of blood, stool, hair, and nail samples, alongside environmental exposure monitoring. The cohort uses periodic in-person reassessments, remote monitoring, and linkage with hospital records for long-term follow-up. The goal is to identify cardiovascular and metabolic risks, underlying biological and environmental mechanisms, and opportunities for prevention in this unique population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are permanent residents of Harbin or Hainan aged 60 or older who seasonally migrate between those regions, can give informed consent, complete questionnaires and exams, and agree to long-term follow-up and biospecimen collection.
Not a fit: People with end-stage organ failure, recent life‑threatening acute events, moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment, or on chronic antiviral or antipsychotic therapy are excluded and likely will not benefit from the study findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to tailored prevention strategies and early detection efforts that reduce cardiovascular and metabolic illness among older seasonal migrants.
How similar studies have performed: Some cohort research links migration, climate, and cardiometabolic outcomes, but studying seasonal older migrants across cold and tropical regions is relatively novel with limited prior direct evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Permanent residents of Harbin or Hainan who will continue to reside in Harbin or Hainan for the next 5 years. 2. Baseline age ≥60 years, with basic communication and comprehension abilities. 3. No confirmed diagnosis of end-stage major organic diseases (e.g., advanced heart failure, advanced liver failure, advanced kidney failure, malignant tumors). 4. Able to perform activities of daily living independently and capable of completing questionnaires and physical examinations. 5. Willing to participate in the study, provide written informed consent, accept long-term follow-up, and provide biological specimens. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Occurrence of life-threatening acute events (e.g., myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, stroke) within the past 30 days. 2. Currently receiving chronic treatment with antiviral drugs (e.g., for HIV) or antipsychotic medications. 3. Presence of moderate to severe cognitive impairment preventing survey completion or follow-up cooperation. 4. Current acute infectious diseases such as influenza or fever. 5. Simultaneous participation in other interventional clinical studies. 6. Refusal to sign informed consent or unwillingness to provide biological specimens. 7. Any other condition deemed unsuitable for study participation by the investigators based on overall assessment.
Where this trial is running
Harbin, Heilongjiang
- Harbin Medical University — Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jinwei Tian, Ph.D.
- Email: tianjinwei@hrbmu.edu.cn
- Phone: +86 151 1451 8233
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.