About KORA
Did you know that ...
- patients with type-2 diabetes are particularly often threatened by a myocardial infarct?
- arteriosclerosis is not only a deposit in blood vessels but also an inflammatory disease?
- air pollution may trigger a myocardial infarction?
In these and other new and crucial findings the KORA study had its share with scientists examining the health condition of the citizens of Augsburg for more than 20 years. It began with the search for risk factors of coronary heart diseases, but in the meantime a multitude of major chronic diseases are being examined.
Meanwhile around 20.000 persons have participated in the KORA surveys and contributed to the formation of a substantial and scientifically valuable data pool. This “science gold mine” makes Augsburg a world-wide known city in the field of health research.
What is KORA?
KORA stands for Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region ("Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg"). Precisely speaking it means a research platform that is used by various national and international research teams.
Citizens of the Augsburg region have significantly contributed to the scientific findings by their participation. A representative random sample of all inhabitants between 25 and 74 years was invited to take part. Since 1984 there have been four waves of initial medical examinations at intervals of five years. All participants are questioned regularly at intervals of several years with regard to their health condition, and part of them being examined again. This makes it possible to show the progress of a disease over periods of up to more than 20 years. At the same time a myocardial infarction registry has been created where every fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction has been registered. Numerous studies and examinations have been added and the result is a substantial collection of data and samples which represent a never-ending source for scientific findings to be read in about 50 publications every year.
Who runs KORA?
Infrastructure, conception, organization and the conduct of the studies are controlled by scientists of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, more precisely by the Institute of Epidemiology II und the Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management.
Who are the collaboration partners?
Only the tight collaboration with the Central Hospital Augsburg, the local general practitioners and the city of Augsburg, and, in particular, with the local health office and the university makes it possible to conduct the KORA surveys.
Partners of numerous universities and research institutes in Germany and even from abroad are participating in the implementation and evaluation of the KORA surveys. These partners contribute their special knowledge from various research fields and also to the funding of the surveys.
Which research is being done?
Traditionally, the research focuses on coronary heart diseases, but also other chronic diseases, as e.g., type-2 diabetes, allergies, and lung diseases are being researched now. KORA data also contribute a lot to the investigation of genetic factors. The present KORA survey is focused on the impact factors for health in old age: How healthy are seniors aged 65 and older, what does it depend on and how can health care be improved?