All participants of The 90+ Study are members of the Leisure World Cohort Study originally recruited between 1981-1985 by Dr. Annlia Paganini-Hill from The University of Southern California. This original group included 8,877 women and 5,101 men. Their ages ranged from 44-101 years, with 73 years being the average age. Over the next 25 years, these participants completed follow-up surveys answering questions about their diets, vitamins, medications, health, and activities.
As of January 1, 2003, 1,150 of the original Leisure World Cohort participants were alive and aged 90 or older. This group makes up approximately 1% of the entire population of 90+ year olds in the USA. Realizing that little was known about this fastest growing segment of the population, Dr. Claudia Kawas of UCI with Dr. Paganini-Hill conceived a plan to learn more about the health of this group. After detailing exactly what they wanted to learn and why, a grant application was submitted and approved. The 90+ Study was born!
Of the original 1,151 people eligible to participate in The 90+ Study, 946 have been enrolled. Information gathered at the initial evaluation revealed:
- Average age was 94 years (range: 90 - 106)
- 77% women
- 76% widowed
- Educational status
- 8% less than a high school education
- 29% high school graduates
- 23% some college education
- 40% college graduates
- Living situation
- 28% at home alone
- 12% at home with a spouse
- 7% at home with relatives or friends
- 10% at home with a paid caregiver
- 43% in a nursing or group home
- The most common medical histories were:
- 46% high blood pressure
- 40% osteoarthritis
- 30% macular degeneration
- The least common medical histories were:
- 6% diabetes
- 10% rheumatoid arthritis
- 12% myocardial infarction
- 12% coronary artery disease