Study Participants | The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Welcome All MESA Participants!

MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is an important medical research study that involves more than 6,000 men and women from six communities in the United States. Participants in MESA come from diverse race and ethnic groups, including African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Caucasians.

The MESA study began in 1999 as an investigation of the early stages of a disease called atherosclerosis, also known as "hardening of the arteries. Over the last 20+ years, the study has grown and made meaningful contributions to numerous fields, including brain health, lung health, and the impacts of factors like neighborhoods, air pollution, sleep, stress, and nutrition on health. You can learn more about MESA's discoveries in the News section of this website.

We are now in the middle of the seventh MESA exam. This exam gives careful attention to the conditions collectively called the "Social Determinants of Health". this area of research looks at how factors such as your stress, your income and education, where you live, your community and family support, and discrimination that you've experienced can influence your health. We know that these Social Determinants of Health can differ between racial and ethnic groups.

During Exam 7 we are employing several mobile devices to monitor such things as blood sugar, movement and activity, your heart rate, and your sleep cycle. All of these factors can impact your heart health. You can choose to wear some or all of these mobile monitors during Exam 7. For more information about these devices and their role in Exam 7, speak to your Study Coordinator.