This section provides some background information on the Mexico City Prospective Study (MCPS), information on how to access study data and instructions on using this Data Showcase resource.
Background information on the MCPS study
The Mexico City Prospective Study (MCPS) is the largest blood-based prospective study of the health of a Latin-American population. The study offers an opportunity to investigate how social, lifestyle, physical, metabolic and genetic factors influence the major causes of death in Mexican adults in a large cohort that has already been followed for two decades.Between 1998 and 2004, over 150,000 middle-aged adults including 100,000 women from the Coyoacan and Iztapalapa districts of Mexico City were recruited. They gave information about their lifestyle, and disease history, had physical measurements taken, such as blood pressure, weight, waist and hip circumference, and provided blood samples.
A resurvey of 10,000 surviving participants was completed between 2015 and 2019. It captured how lifestyles, physical and biological measurements, and treatments for disease had changed over time. This resurvey allowed us to better assess the relevance for premature death of characteristics that can vary over time (such as blood pressure and smoking). We also collected urine samples and additional information such as bioimpedance (providing measures of body fat) and cognitive function.
A follow up health survey is currently collecting information on major non-fatal diseases by house-to-house field work.
Using blood samples we have genotyped and exome sequenced all participants. We have also compiled metabolomic data including cholesterol fractions and triglycerides for all participants at baseline and those who provided a blood sample at resurvey.
All participants are tracked for mortality through linkage to Mexican national mortality records. By mid 2022 over 30,000 were confirmed to have died.
Study oversight, funding and further information
The MCPS represents a longstanding collaboration between researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, who conceived and established the study, and the Nuffield Department of Population Health in Oxford, who provided support during its inception and have continued to enhance it over the years. This collaborative effort dates back to the 1990s, with both teams jointly responsible for managing and analysing the study's data.For further information:
- The MCPS website gives general information on the study and provides links to some of the major research outputs to date.
- The published cohort profile (Publication 1) contains more in-depth information on the background and rationale for the MCPS study.
Data Access
We welcome requests from researchers to access data from MCPS. In an effort to increase research equity, MCPS releases data to researchers in Mexico two years before releasing it worldwide.Data currently available (to bona fide academic researchers):
- Baseline data, linked cause-specific mortality data, and the 10k participant resurvey data are available to all.
- NMR biomarker data: the first release (a subset of 40k participants) is available to researchers in any part of the world. The second release (152k participants at baseline and 10k participants at resurvey) is available to researchers based in Mexico.
- Genetic data are available to researchers in Mexico through the DNAnexus platform powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This includes WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing) for nearly 10k participants, and WES (Whole Exome Sequencing) and genotyping for 140k participants.
Future data releases:
- Genetic data will be available to all researchers in 2025.
- The second release of the NMR biomarker data will be available to all researchers in 2026.
How to Apply for Access to Data
Our Data and Sample Access Policy (available in both English and Spanish) explains how to obtain MCPS data for research purposes and how to collaborate with us on a specific research proposal. You may also find it helpful to look at projects that have already been approved.
To register your interest in accessing data from MCPS please complete this registration form (English or Spanish) and we will be in touch. If you have a general enquiry or would like to request code, please email mcps-access@ndph.ox.ac.uk.
** 2024-10 Metabolomic data (Nightingale Health platform) **
Second release: NMR biomarker data, on 152,833 participants at baseline and 9657 participants at resurvey, are available to researchers in Mexico.
First release: NMR biomarker data, on (an initial) 40,297 participants at baseline, are now available to researchers worldwide.
The Nightingale Health NMR metabolomics platform covers a comprehensive range of biomarkers including lipoprotein subclasses, lipid measures, apolipoproteins, fatty acids, cholines and glycolisis-related measures, amino acids, ketone bodies and measures of inflammation and kidney function.
** 2024-06 New data available to researchers worldwide **
An updated version of our mortality data has been released. This includes recorded deaths up to 30th September 2022. If you have already received mortality data and would like this update please get in touch.
** 2023-05 New data available to researchers based in Mexico **
Genetic data are available for 9,950 whole genome sequenced, 141,046 exome sequenced and 140,831 genotyped participants. An online variant browser summarising the genetic variation is available at: https://rgc-mcps.regeneron.com. The genetic data will be shared by granting access to an online research analysis platform enabled by DNAnexus technology and powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), where researchers will be able to access both the genetic and non-genetic data and perform their analyses.
How to use the MCPS Data Showcase
Please use this Data Showcase in order to explore the variables available in the study database.User guide (English): Getting started with the Showcase
User guide (Spanish): Getting started with the Showcase
