Which cohorts will be included in the inventory?
Inclusion criteria will be flexible, but the focus of the inventory will be on cohorts that:

  1. Are active or can substantiate that their data is potentially accessible;
  2. Information on occupation and/or industry or at least one occupational exposure (see questionnaire);
  3. Have at least one follow-up (Note: cross-sectional studies will not be included, but intervention studies and nested case control studies can be included);
  4. New studies with planned follow-ups can be included;
  5. The inventory is not limited to European cohorts and cohorts from other continents will be encouraged to register and participate;
  6. Inclusion of a cohort will initially be reviewed and accepted by OccupationalCohorts.net coordinators.

How will information be collected?
All information to be included in the inventory will be extracted from the cohorts using the web-based Inventory Questionnaire. European (and gradually global) cohorts will be identified through systematic web-based searches and personal records. Researchers responsible for the cohorts will be contacted through electronic means and asked to register and complete the web-based questionnaire. If necessary, OccupationaCohorts.net coordinators will contact researchers directly and assist with the completion of the questionnaires. Each cohort PI will create a unique login and electronic password to access the Inventory Questionnaire.

Who will use the inventory?

  1. Researchers, to enable more effective exploitation of existing studies. For example, researchers looking to pool their data with other European cohorts will be able to assess easily which cohorts may be suitable for such pooling.
  2. Policy makers, to enable them to identify cohorts that can provide information, specifically on occupational exposures.

How will the information collected for the inventory be used?
The inventory is stored in a searchable web database here. Users will be able to search for specific exposures and outcomes, and extract information on the cohorts that have data for the specific topic as well as basic information on the methods used to collect data. For example, users interested in shift work and sleep, will be able to search the database and extract a list of cohorts that include or collect these exposures with some basic details about the exposure assessment method used. A publication will be prepared with an overview and description of European cohorts. Representatives from all cohorts included in the inventory will be invited to participate in this publication.

How can I access data from cohorts contained in the inventory?
Please contact the cohort Principal Investigator.

How long will it take me to complete the inventory?
Completing the online inventory should take approximately 20 minutes. You also have the option to save your data entered and continue completing the online form at a later time.

Where can I find more information about the variable definitions in the cohort studies?
Please see a related variable catalogue developed as part of the EPHOR (Exposome Project for Health and Occupational Research) project here: https://data-catalogue.molgeniscloud.org/catalogue/catalogue/#/networks-catalogue/EPHOR. It provides more detailed information regarding original and harmonised variable definitions for selected variables in participating EPHOR cohort studies.

Please see the following for more information:
Kogevinas M, Schlünssen V, Mehlum IS, Turner MC. The OMEGA-NET International Inventory of Occupational Cohorts. Ann Work Expo Health. 2020 Jul 1;64(6):565-568. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa039. PMID: 32556221.