Overview

The New Jersey Population Health Cohort Study is the

largest study to date to explore factors that influence
health and well-being in the state.

Beginning in 2021, the study seeks to improve our

understanding of how life events and stress affect
health and resilience, particularly within historically
disadvantaged groups, multigenerational families, and
immigrant groups.

The study will generate new knowledge that will help us

build a healthier, more equitable New Jersey.

Who we are
Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and
Aging Research is a hub for multidisciplinary and
translational research focused on improving population
health.
 Background
New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the
nation and nearly a quarter of its residents are
immigrants. While the state also ranks among the
wealthiest, there are significant and persistent
health disparities. We also know that there are other
social factors that impact health and well-being.

In Mercer County, Trenton residents have an average life

expectancy of 73 years, but just 13 miles away, in
Princeton, that number jumps to 87 years.
More than one in 10 New Jerseyans do not ­have a steady
place to live or are worried about losing their homes.
Housing instability disproportionately affects racial and
ethnic minorities and low socioeconomic status
households.
Black and Latinx hospital employees were twice as likely
as white health care workers to contract coronavirus, a
Rutgers study found. Support staff in health care settings
with and without patient care responsibilities also had a
higher risk of COVID-19.
The maternal death rate in New Jersey is almost twice the
national average, and black mothers are more than three
times as likely as white mothers to die from pregnancy-
related complications.

We need more data, collected over time, to better

understand the factors that contribute to these
disparities and the impacts on health and well-being.
Our aim is to collect this data to gain insights and help
improve the health and lives of all New Jersey residents.
 FAQs
What are the goals/aims of the study?
The goal of the New Jersey Population Health Cohort Study is
to better understand the relationship of stress and
resilience to health within families in New Jersey. We are
particularly interested in exploring the specific roles of
individual-level, family-level, and community-level factors that
impact health and wellbeing.

What are the populations of interest in this study?

To make sure the study includes a diverse group of New
Jersey residents, some people will be selected at random
and invited to participate. We are also collaborating with New
Jersey community-based organizations to invite members of
the State’s largest and fastest growing recent immigrant
populations to join the study. These groups include Indian,
Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Mexican, Dominican, Nigerian, Afro-
Caribbean, and refugee/asylee groups.

How many people will be recruited?

We aim to recruit 10,000 individuals from across the state.

Why should I participate?

Your participation will help to generate new knowledge
that will help us build a healthier, more equitable New
Jersey. We need data, collected over time, to better
understand the factors that contribute to disparities and the
impacts on health and well-being. The New Jersey Population
Health Cohort Study aims to collect this data to gain insights
and help improve the health and lives of all New Jersey
residents.
 Instructions, Timeline
& Compensation
If you take part in the research, you will be asked to
participate in a survey interview and may be invited to
participate in additional study parts that may include an
additional survey, blood tests, and measurement of
movement.

Your participation in the study will take about one hour

for the initial survey and additional time for the other
components should you decide to participate.

This study will also continue over time, and we plan to

invite you to participate again every 2-3 years.

Compensation
You can receive up to $105 for participating.

$20 for taking part in main survey

plus
$10 for an additional survey
$20 for blood draw and body measurements
$5 for a saliva DNA sample
$50 for two-week movement measurement (based
on completeness of information)

If you refer friends/family who are eligible for the study

and may be interested in participating, you may receive
$5 for each person who completes the required survey
interview.
 Measures
Interview
You will be asked to participate in a survey
interview, which may happen over the phone,
video call, or face-to-face. This will be
scheduled at time and location that works for
you. We will ask questions about your health,
stress, resilience, psychological wellbeing,
health behaviors, medical history, personal
information, immigration, culture, or family.
This interview will take approximately one hour.

Biomarkers
Blood
A trained technician will draw 50 ml of blood (about 3
tablespoons) and take your blood pressure. Some of
these results will be provided to you. Blood samples will
be used for measurement of biological markers that
might help us better understand what may impact health.
A small amount of blood will be stored for future analysis.
Saliva
You will be given a tube to spit into, which will be used for
DNA analysis. You may opt into receiving information on
any abnormalities we see. DNA analysis will help us identify
genes that may be associated with certain diseases.

Data linkage
Research using the New Jersey Population Health Cohort Study
can be enhanced by combining the data you provide with
information from other sources such as medical records,
health insurance, social services program, and education and
employment records.
 Movement
Measurements

You will be asked to wear a watch, carry a phone

with you, and answer a daily questionnaire. This
will take place over a two week period.

Watch

You will receive a CentrePoint Insight

Watch. The watch will record your
movements. This will help to provide
data on your sleep and physical activity.

Phone
You will receive a phone with several built-in
apps. An app will record your location and
movement. This will help researchers to learn
about your neighborhood and environment.

The phone will also have a daily questionnaire.

The questionnaire is short (3-5 minutes) and
will provide researchers information on your
sleep and different types of physical activity.
 Your Rights as a Participant
As a participant in a research study, you have the right:
To decide whether or not to be in the research study and
to make that decision without any pressure from the
researchers.
To stop participating at any time after you begin.
To know what the study is trying to find out and what you
will be asked to do if you participate.
To be told about the potential risks and benefits
To be told who has access to the information collected
about you, and how your confidentiality will be protected.
To be told whether there are any costs and whether you
will be compensated for participating in the study.

Contact us. We are happy to help.

Website: cohort.rutgers.edu
Email: NJCohort@ifh.rutgers.edu
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @RutgersIFH
Office: 112 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 888-676-0555

If you have questions, concerns or complaints about taking part in this study, or
if you feel you may have suffered a research related injury, you can contact the
Principal Investigator, Dr. Joel Cantor. He may be reached at 848-932-4653 or
jcantor@ifh.rutgers.edu. If you are injured, a member of the study team will
refer you for treatment. If you have questions about your rights as a research
subject, you can contact the IRB Director at: New Brunswick/Piscataway Health
Sci IRB 335 George St., Liberty Plaza Ste. 3100, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, (732)
235-9806 or email humansubjects@ored.rutgers.edu. This research is being
overseen by WCG IRB. You may talk to them at 855-818-2289 or
researchquestions@wcgirb.com