Cohort profile: the Guangzhou older longitudinal dynamic health (GOLD-Health) cohort.

The Guangzhou Older Longitudinal Dynamic Health (GOLD-Health) Cohort is a prospective population-based cohort study aimed at investigating the risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adult individuals in Guangzhou, one of China's most developed and densely populated cities. From 1 Jan 2018 until 31 Dec 2020, 737,863 participants (mean age = 71.8 years, 58.9% were female) completed baseline data collection, among which approximately 92.1% donated blood samples. Baseline data collection comprises various factors, including general characteristics, socio-economic factors, lifestyle habits, cooking fuel usage and living standards, and medical history of chronic diseases. Additionally, physical and biochemical indicator examinations are conducted by trained medical staff. Two complementary follow-up approaches are utilized to validate and enrich the outcome information on mortality and non-communicable disease outcomes, ensuring its reliability and comprehensiveness. First, routine linkage with the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission's electronic records provides continuous monitoring of mortality events and participants' inpatient and outpatient hospital visits. Second, periodic follow-up is conducted through telephone interviews and regular face-to-face surveys to collect detailed information on health status, lifestyle changes, newly diagnosed conditions, and self-reported events not captured in hospital records. This combined approach ensures both the completeness and accuracy of the cohort data. This cohort may serve as a decision-making tool for chronic disease management and contributes to the evaluation of scientific findings under real-world conditions.