The aim of the German National Cohort (NAKO) is to better understand the causes of common diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases, to identify risk factors in the population and uncover ways of effective prevention.
Scientists from all countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as countries that fulfil the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can submit applications for data and biosamples from the baseline (study period 2014 to 2019) as well as for the data from the examinations, interviews and MRI from the first re-examination (study period 2018 to 2024) for scientific purposes.
Professor Dr Annette Peters, Chair of the Board of Directors of NAKO e.V. reports:
„The approximately 700 ongoing or completed research projects based on the baseline examinations have already provided us with valuable insights into the health of the population across the 16 study regions as well as into urban and rural lifestyles. Thanks to the data now available from the 5-year follow-up examinations alongside information from health insurance companies and registries, we can now explore the causes of disease development."
Around 2,400 researchers are already registered in NAKO’s application portal “TransferHub“. Through this platform, they can submit applications to access data, MRI images and biosamples for research purposes. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities and research-based companies. Each application is reviewed by a panel of experts - the Use & Access Committee - as well as the Board of Directors of NAKO e.V. to assess whether the proposed project can be conducted with the available NAKO data. Before access is granted, users will need to sign an agreement with the NAKO to ensure that all data and biosamples are used solely for the approved purpose and in full compliance with the GDPR. Research findings are published in scientific journals and contribute significantly to areas advancing knowledge in health and medicine.
German National Cohort (NAKO)
The German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie) is the largest long-term population study in Germany. Since 2014, over 205,000 randomly selected people have been medically examined and asked about their lifestyle habits in 18 study centres. At the beginning of the study, the participants were aged between 20 and 69.
The German National Cohort (NAKO) is a prospective epidemiological cohort study. The researchers observe a large group, a so-called cohort, of healthy, ill or formerly ill people over a long period of time. The aim is to use scientific analyses of the participants’ data to investigate the frequency and causes of common diseases such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, to identify risk factors and to show ways of effective prevention and early detection.
The research project is supported by 26 organisations. Scientists from universities, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association and other research institutes in Germany are working together in a nationwide network. The study is being carried out by the NAKO e.V. association. It is financed by public funds from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Helmholtz Association and the participating federal states.
