The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) -   5

Background: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a population-based study initiated to study the correlates, predictors, and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a diverse sample of men and women aged 45-84. The study was conducted by the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study recruited 6,814 participants from six field centers across the United States. The ethnic composition of the cohort was 38% Caucasian, 28% African American, 22% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese.

Participants were examined at baseline for evidence of subclinical CVD using various diagnostic tests and measurements. The study has been ongoing since 2000 and has collected extensive data on cardiovascular health and risk factors.

Details: The Coordinating Center for MESA is responsible for various tasks related to the management and coordination of the study. These tasks include:

1. Transitioning from the previous contractor if necessary
2. Establishing a single Institutional Review Board (sIRB) for MESA
3. Implementing and maintaining a web-based data collection system
4. Facilitating biannual follow-up contacts with participants
5. Abstraction of data from medical records for clinical events review
6. Updating geocoded data derived from participant addresses
7. Coordinating location-based research through geocoding data
8. Providing administrative, operational, and technical support to all MESA centers
9. Managing an annual meeting for the Observational Studies Monitoring Board (OSMB)
10. Establishing and maintaining study databases
11. Managing a biological specimen repository
12. Implementing quality assurance and quality control programs
13. Participating in study committees and facilitating scientific collaborations
14. Conducting statistical analyses and advising on study designs
15. Facilitating re-examinations of MESA participants
16. Preparing and submitting reports
17. Working cooperatively with study investigators, NHLBI, subcontractors, and consultants
18. Providing research training experiences and mentoring early stage investigators

Period of Performance: The period of performance for the MESA Coordinating Center contract is expected to be ten (10) years, starting from December 19, 2024.

Place of Performance: The MESA Coordinating Center will perform its tasks at various locations, including the six field centers where participants were recruited (Forsyth County, NC; Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, NY; Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MD; St. Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles County, CA). Additionally, the center will collaborate with other NHLBI consortia and researchers across the United States.