The Northern Sweden MONICA Study began in 1985 with the aim of describing trends and determinants of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As of 1986, population surveys have taken place every 4 to 5 years; in these surveys, a sample of 2,000 to 2,500 men and women aged 25 to 74 have been invited to participate. In addition to a medical exam, which included anthropometry and blood tests, the surveys collected information on participants' tobacco use, physical activity, and other social risk factors.

In 2009, the Northern Sweden MONICA Study collected information from 1,729 participants.