[Participants recruitment in ELSA-Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health)].

OBJECTIVE To present the recruitment and communication strategies of the ELSA-Brasil (Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto - Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health). METHODS The strategies were directed at dissemination, institutionalization and recruitment. The communication actions intended to promote the strengthening of a positive institutional image for the study, knowledge management and an effective dialogue with its target audience. An official website was created in order to communicate with different audiences, to disseminate scientific knowledge, and to contribute to consolidate the image of the study within society. RESULTS We recruited 16,435 men and women, active employees and retirees of six public institutions of education and research, to constitute the cohort of 15,105 participants. The recruitment goals were fully achieved in the six centers, with a slight predominance of women and of younger adults, and slightly fewer employees with lower level of schooling. CONCLUSIONS The strategies used were adequate and essential to the successful inclusion and participation of the employees.