Oncoming Revolution in the Next Generation of Cohort Studies

Hossein  Moameri; Mojtaba  Norouzi; Ali Akbar  Haghdoost; Mostafa Hosseini  Golkar

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16963

Hossein Moameri Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
Mojtaba Norouzi Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
Ali Akbar Haghdoost HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mostafa Hosseini Golkar Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Ker-man, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16963

Keywords: Cohort studies; Forecasting; Next generation

Abstract

The world is changing rapidly, mainly due to the impact of megatrends that have an impact on the entire human life, particularly in medical sciences. Medical research methodologies such as cohort studies provide very critical information, but it is not clear what would be its destination in the future. In this short article, we have tried to offer a somewhat different perspective on the future of cohort studies by analyzing the texts and their conclusions from the author's viewpoint. According to our assessment, cohorts will play a key role in medical research, but their methodology will significantly change in terms of designing, implementing, analysing, and applying the findings. The new generation of cohort study extracts most of their information from electronic health records, and it is not just restricted to a particular geographic area. With the changes in the levels of occupational exposure, risk factors, and the introduction of Omics, likely, occupational and birth cohorts as well as human diseases will likely undergo fundamental changes in the future. Big data will provide researchers with new opportunities, but information extraction and analysis require a team of specialists from several scientific fields. Furthermore, participants are likely to play a more active role in setting priorities and implementing research findings.