Morbitity and Mortality

Morbidity and Mortality Review – Strong Heart Study, Dakota Center-1995 to Present
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Dr. Thomas Welty, M.D., MPH; Lyle Best, MD

This project was funded by the NHLBI, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Release of information was obtained and medical records of 1200 Strong Heart Study cohort members were reviewed on an ongoing basis for cardiovascular events from 1996 through 1999, records describing cardiovascular disease events were abstracted and then reviewed by a panel of Medical Doctors to confirm the diagnosis. Release of information was obtained from all next of kin and pertinent parts of medical and coroner records of cohort members who died were copied regardless of cause of death. Participant charts were located in various hospitals throughout a 600-mile radius. Personal interviews of the next of kin were conducted on all participants with unattended deaths.