The Adventist Health Study-2 began in 2002 with the goal of investigating the role of various foods and nutrients, other lifestyle factors and metabolic risk indicators that may be involved in cancer causation. Over 96,000 Seventh-day Adventist church members aged 30 years and above were recruited between 2002 and 2007 from all 50 states in the United States of America, and Canada. Several recruitment methods were used, including a national advertising campaign, presentations at regional church convocations and direct mail invitations to church members. Follow-up included reporting on hospitalisations and diagnoses every two years, alongside linkage to national registries.