Chinese Migrant Population Health Cohort
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age60-120
SponsorJinwei Tian
About this trial
The Chinese Migrant Population Health Cohort is a prospective, multi-center study jointly initiated by Professor Yong Ji, President of Harbin Medical University, and Academician Guoqiang Chen, President of Hainan Medical University, in collaboration with regional partners. It targets older adults (≥60 years) who engage in seasonal migration between cold (Heilongjiang) and tropical (Hainan) regions. The primary objective is to investigate cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks, underlying biological and environmental mechanisms, and effective preventive strategies in this unique population.
Participants are recruited from both origin and destination sites and undergo standardized baseline assessments, including questionnaires, physical examinations, medical imaging, biospecimen collection (blood, stool, hair, nails), and environmental exposure monitoring. Longitudinal follow-up includes periodic reassessments, remote monitoring, and data linkage with hospital information systems to capture health outcomes.
The study aims to:
Define migration-related health risk profiles and disease phenotypes.
Elucidate biological and environmental mechanisms influencing disease onset and progression.
Develop AI-driven risk prediction models and evaluate targeted interventions through nested randomized controlled trials.
Translate findings into clinical guidelines and scalable cross-regional health management models.
This is the first cohort in China to systematically investigate the health impacts of seasonal migration in older adults. By integrating epidemiology, multi-omics, environmental data, and health policy translation, the study seeks to improve continuity of care, strengthen climate adaptation, and promote healthy ageing.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Permanent residents of Harbin or Hainan who will continue to reside in Harbin or Hainan for the next 5 years.
Baseline age ≥60 years, with basic communication and comprehension abilities.
No confirmed diagnosis of end-stage major organic diseases (e.g., advanced heart failure, advanced liver failure, advanced kidney failure, malignant tumors).
Able to perform activities of daily living independently and capable of completing questionnaires and physical examinations.
Disqualifiers
Occurrence of life-threatening acute events (e.g., myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, stroke) within the past 30 days.
Currently receiving chronic treatment with antiviral drugs (e.g., for HIV) or antipsychotic medications.
Presence of moderate to severe cognitive impairment preventing survey completion or follow-up cooperation.
Current acute infectious diseases such as influenza or fever.
Trial population
The study will enroll community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years from Harbin (cold region) and Hainan (tropical region), China. Four groups will be included: 1. Winter Migrant Group: \~5,000 Harbin residents who habitually migrate to Hainan during the cold season for ≥2 months each time, with ≥2 consecutive years of such migration and plans to continue; 2. Summer Migrant Group: \~1,000 Hainan residents who habitually migrate to Harbin during the hot season for ≥2 months, with similar migration history and plans; 3. Cold-Region Resident Group: \~10,000 Harbin residents, including matched controls for migrant groups and randomly selected residents, with no \>2 months residence outside Harbin in the past 5 years; 4. Tropical-Region Resident Group: \~10,000 Hainan residents with similar matching criteria and residency requirements. All participants must be able to communicate, perform daily activities independently, consent to long-term follow-up, and provide biospecimens.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
No intervention
Other interventionno intervention
Treatment groups
26,000 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groupsGroup A: Winter Migrant Group1 intervention
Group B: Summer Migrant Group1 intervention
Group C: Cold-Region Resident Group1 intervention
Group D: Tropical-Region Resident Group1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Number of Participants Experiencing First Major Cardiovascular Event
First occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), or cardiovascular death, confirmed through hospital records, death registries, and adjudication committee review.
Time frame
Up to 5 years from baselineSecondary outcomes
1
Number of Participants with New-Onset Metabolic Disorders
New-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or obesity as defined by standard clinical and laboratory criteria.
Time frame
Up to 5 years from baseline2
Number of Deaths from Any Cause
Death from any cause, verified through official death certificates and hospital records.
Time frame
Up to 5 years from baseline3
Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Longitudinal changes in blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, BMI, waist circumference, and body composition.
Time frame
Baseline, 2 years, 4 years4
Change in EQ-5D Quality of Life Score from Baseline
Changes in validated quality-of-life scales (e.g., EQ-5D).
Time frame
Baseline, 2 years, 4 yearsOther outcomes
1
Change in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness from Baseline
Mean change (mm) measured by carotid ultrasound.
Time frame
Baseline and follow-up imaging2
Change in Coronary Artery Calcium Score from Baseline
Mean change in Agatston score by CT angiography.
Time frame
Baseline and follow-up imaging3
Change in Plasma Metabolite Levels from Baseline
Relative or absolute change in concentrations of targeted metabolites identified through mass spectrometry.
Time frame
Baseline and follow-up biospecimen analysesSponsors and contacts
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Jinwei Tian
Lead sponsor
Harbin Medical University
Sponsor institution
Hainan Medical College
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov