
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
Overview
Aims
The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) is a longitudinal study that collects multidisciplinary data from a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and older. The survey data are designed to be used for the investigation of a broad set of topics relevant to understanding the ageing process including economic position, physical and mental health, labour market activity, retirement and social networks.
Institution
UCL Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Institute for Fiscal Studies, NatCen Social Research & University of Manchester School of Social Sciences
Geographic coverage - Nations
England
Geographic coverage - Regions
Nationwide
Start date
2002
Sample
Sample type
Cohort Survey (Replenished); Ageing cohort
Sample details
Sample members are drawn from respondents to the Health Survey for England (HSE). Around 12,000 respondents from three separate years of the HSE survey were recruited to provide a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and over and their partners. At waves 3, 4, 6 and 7 the study was replenished with new study participants (refreshments) from HSE to maintain the size and representativeness of the panel.
Sample size at recruitment
12,100 individuals
Sample size at most recent sweep
7,222
Sex
All
Age at recruitment
50+
Cohort year of birth
Varied
Data
Data access
UK Data Service
https://www.elsa-project.ac.uk/accessing-elsa-data
Genetic data collected
Linkage to administrative data
Environmental data Health data Income/tax and benefits
Additional information
Website
elsa-project.ac.uk
Related themes
Covid-19 data collection,
Biomarkers,
Cognitive measures,
Cognitive decline,
Diet and nutrition,
Digital technology and social media,
Education,
Ethnicity and race,
Housing,
Language and literacy,
Loneliness and social isolation,
Migration and immigration,
Neighbourhood,
Physical health assessment,
Reproductive health,
Sexuality and gender identity,
Sleep problems,
Social care - receipt,
Social care - provision,
Social care - need,
Socioeconomic status and deprivation,
Victimisation and life events,
Work and employment
Key Papers
Reference paperCohort profile: the English longitudinal study of ageing.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dys168 Impactful papers using study dataSocial isolation, loneliness, and all-cause mortality in older men and women. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1219686110 The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis. psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.008 Childhood self-control and unemployment throughout the life span: Evidence from two British cohort studies. doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0465-1
Mental health measures timeline
Sweep name:
Cohort member age:
Data collection period:
Notes:
Physical health measures: