Cohorts as collections of bodies and communities of persons: insights from the SEARCH010/RV254 research cohort.

ABSTRACT: Longitudinal research cohorts are uniquely suited to answer research questions about morbidity and mortality. Cohorts may be comprised of individuals identified by specific conditions or other shared traits. We argue that research cohorts are more than simply aggregations of individuals and their associated data to meet research objectives. They are social communities comprised of members, investigators and organizations whose own interests, identities and cultures interact and evolve over time. The literature describes a range of scientific and ethical challenges and opportunities associated with cohorts. To advance these deliberations, we report examples from the literature and our own research on the Thai SEARCH010/RV254 cohort, comprising individuals diagnosed with human immunodeficien

SUBMITTER: Henderson GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7650957 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature