Follow-up

In Epidemiology, the follow-up is the observation of a group of persons (cohort) in a cohort study over a certain period of time (follow-up period). The cohort members are observed with respect to diseases (incidence follow-up) or death (mortality follow-up) by an appointed date. For the incidence follow-up, for example, cancer registries can be consulted. For deceased persons, the cause and date of death are requested at the health authorities and communities.