The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a population-based longitudinal study based in Jackson, Mississippi that investigates risk factors for cardiovascular disease among African Americans. It is a collaborative research project by the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, and Tougaloo College. The primary objective is to investigate environmental and genetic factors associated with cardiovascular disease in African Americans in order to better address health disparities. The JHS is a community-based observational study of 5,306 African American adults in the 3 counties which make up the Jackson metropolitan area: Hinds, Madison, and Rankin.

Data and biospecimens have been collected from 5,306 participants, including a nested family cohort of 1,498 members from 264 families. The age at enrollment for the unrelated participants ranged from 35 to 84 years old. The family cohort included related individuals who were at least 21 years old at the time of enrollment. Annual follow-up interviews and health surveillance are ongoing.