Subjects

The HUNT cohort is homogenous with many families being resident in the region for generations. The stable population has created unique possibilities to compare patients with a given disease with a matched control in the same environment.

The HUNT1 Survey was carried out in 1984-1986 to establish the health history of 75,000 people with a focus cardiovascular disease and diabetes

The HUNT2 Survey, carried out in 1995-1997, focused on the evolution of the health history of 65,000 people and included blood sample collection.

The HUNT3 Survey was carried out in 2006-2008. 93,210 people were invited to participate in the study, and 50,807 people participated (52% participation rate). The data was collected by means of questionnaires, interviews, clinical examinations and collection of blood and urine samples.

The HUNT4 Survey was carried out from September 2017 to February 2019 and recruited 54,000 subjects . On all subjects a battery of questionnaires and measurements as well as biological material to the biobank (serum, plasma, DNA, saliva, feces etc.) has been collected. Saliva and fecal samples are new matrices in the HUNT study enabling research on the microbiota and its influence on disease and health.

The Young-HUNT Studies are the adolescent part of HUNT including participants aged 13-19 years. Data gathering took place in the Young-HUNT1 Survey (1995-97), the Young-HUNT2 Survey (2000-01), and the Young-HUNT3 Survey (2006-08). Data collection included self-reported questionnaires, structured interviews, clinical measurements and buccal smears.