A significant milestone in Goa’s public health journey will be marked with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Goa CARES: Longitudinal Cohort Study 2025 on June 22, at GST Bhavan, Panaji.
The initiative is being undertaken by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Centre for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE), Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, and the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Envisioned as one of the most ambitious public health research initiatives undertaken in the State, the Goa CARES Study aims to bridge existing gaps in understanding the causes and patterns of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Goa. The study will follow a cohort of 1,00,000 adults aged 25 to 70 years over a period of 10 years and will focus on identifying key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory disorders, and cancer.
Designed to generate comprehensive health data, the study will involve the collection of medical histories, lifestyle assessments, genetic analysis, and environmental exposure information from participants. Researchers will also track indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels over time to better understand disease progression and assess the impact of early intervention measures. The findings are expected to support the development of targeted prevention strategies and strengthen evidence-based healthcare planning.
Expected to create long-term benefits for public health, the study will provide valuable insights into disease trends and associated risk factors, helping shape future health policies and preventive healthcare systems. The initiative is also expected to support the design of more effective healthcare interventions, reduce the overall burden of disease, and contribute towards improving the quality of life of people through research-driven and evidence-based decision-making.
The MoU signing ceremony will be attended by the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Dr. Rupa Naik, Director, Directorate of Health Services, Goa, and Dr. Rajesh Dikshit, Director, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE), Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. Officials from the Directorate of Health Services, representatives of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, and the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, will also be present on the occasion.
