The local databases in NEAR: H-70, SNAC-K, SNAC-N, SNAC-B, SHARE-Sweden, and SWEOLD are collecting data on Covid-19.

The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies collected Covid-19 data via surveys between December 2020 and January 2021, where 1103 participated who were 75-76 years old and born 1944 were included. This was financially supported by FORMAS. The survey includes questions about attitude towards Covid-19 vaccination, lifestyle habits, feelings of worry, contact with healthcare, and Covid-19-related symptoms. During March 2021, the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies collected data on antibodies for Covid-19 using the same sample. During November 2021, a follow up was completed, where 608 persons participated. Of this sample (n=608), 579 were tested for antibodies for Covid-19. This is a collaboration between Folkhälsomyndigheten, Försvarsmakten, Mikrobiologen Sahlgrenska och Smittskydd Västra Götalandsregionen.

The Swedish National study on Aging and Care (SNAC)- Kungsholmen, Blekinge and Nordanstig
In SNAC-K, 1231 participants, who were 69 years and older, underwent a telephone interview between May and September 2020. Additional follow-up interviews started in April 2021, and they will continue into 2022.
In SNAC-B, 583 participants, who were 60-100 years old, underwent a telephone interview between August 2020 and February 2021. Additional follow-up interviews were conducted between October and December 2021.
In SNAC-N, 158 participants, who were 72 years and older, underwent a telephone interview between May and December 2020. Additional follow-up interviews started in April 2021, and they will continue into 2022.
Information about health status, Covid-19 related symptoms, mental health and cognition, physical activity, psychosocial consequences, and formal and informal care during the pandemic were collected. 

SHARE-Sweden: A specific Corona questionnaire has been carried out in 27 European countries via telephone from June until August 2020. For SHARE-Sweden, 1365 persons aged 50 years and older participated. To study the long-term impact of Covid-19, the SHARE Corona questionnaire was also conducted in 2021.

The Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD) have been collecting Covid-19 data, as part of their regular examination (6th wave of data collection), from the second half of 2021 via telephone. The collection is planned to be finalized in the spring of 2022. Approximately 2500 persons aged 76 and older were invited to participate. This study is financed by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and FORMAS/FORTE.

Pia Lundgren (nurse) during a covid interview for SNAC-K.
Photo: Mai Engström, Äldrecentrum.

The different regional projects within The Swedish National study on Aging and Care (SNAC) have begun their 7th wave of data collections in 2019 and will continue into 2022. In this phase there is both a follow-up of previous participants and also a recruitment of new cohorts of 60- and 81- year old’s. The 8th wave of data collections started in the spring of 2022 for SNAC-B and SNAC-S, and will start in the fall of 2022 for SNAC-K and SNAC-N. The collections are planned to be finalized in 2024.

The Gothenburg population studies consist of several cohorts (H70, H85, H95+) and a Women’s Survey (KVUS).
– In the H70 cohort, data were collected at the age of 75 in 2019. This data collection continued in 2020 and the last surveys were completed in the spring of 2021.
– In the H85 cohort, surveys of the cohort born in 1930 at the age of 88 were completed in 2019. Investigation at the age of 92 will begin in the spring of 2022.
– In the H95+ cohort, a survey of the cohort born 1923-24 at the age of 95 was completed in 2019. Survey at 99 years starts in the spring of 2022.
– In the KVUS Survey, a 50-year follow-up was completed in 2019. The 54-year follow-up will begin in the spring of 2022.

The SWEOLD project started the 6th wave of data collection in 2021 and it will be finalized in April 2022. SWEOLD is partly based on a follow-up of persons who have previously been interviewed in the LNU, but who are now 76 years of age or older. Moreover, this year includes an additional selection of the very oldest (85+), as well as two regional samples in Dalarna and Stockholm.