In this prospective cohort study, the hospital discharge rosters of all general hospitals on the Island of Oahu were reviewed twice yearly as part of the morbidity and mortality surveillance. The appropriate chart materials were abstracted for review by study physicians for evidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. Beginning in 1986, both old and new hospital discharge records were reviewed for the additional endpoints of congestive heart failure, aortic aneurysm, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, dementia, organic brain syndrome, and Parkinson's disease. Deaths were monitored by following obituary columns as well as reviewing death certificates from the State Health Department. There was daily contact with hospitals to find out about impending autopsies in which study personnel could participate. However, only 20-25 percent of the deaths had protocol autopsies.