Kvinnehelsestudien: kohort for prospektive studier av kvinners helse

The Women’s Health Study is a unique research project that has followed Norwegian women from midlife into old age – for more than 25 years. It began in 1997–1999 with 2,230 participants and has since carried out 12 surveys with an impressive response rate of 80–90%. This gives researchers a rare opportunity to see how health and quality of life evolve over time. The study provides insights into everything from physical and mental health problems to lifestyle and social conditions. Now, a new project is planned to investigate how common women’s health issues change with age and what factors influence these changes – such as lifestyle, aging, and medication use. Why is this important? Because women’s health is an area where we still know too little. The results can help improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect women specifically or affect older women more often than men. This knowledge can influence health policy, clinical guidelines, and the education of healthcare professionals. The project is based on robust, long-term data and will collect new data in 2027. User involvement is a key part of the work: two representatives from the Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association (Sanitetskvinnene) will participate in planning, implementation, and dissemination. Ethical considerations are well taken care of – all participants give informed consent, and data are stored securely. This study provides valuable knowledge that can benefit health authorities, clinicians, and women themselves – and contribute to better health throughout life.