The healthy human global project – Hong Kong: A community-based cross-sectional study of a healthy Asian population

Immune responses vary between individuals due to age, sex, genetics, and environment, yet most systems immunology studies focus on populations of European ancestry. To address this gap, we established the Healthy Human Global Project - Hong Kong (HHGP-HK) to characterize immune variability in a healthy Asian population. Modeled on the French Milieu Intérieur study, we adapted inclusion and exclusion criteria and collected harmonized demographic, medical, and lifestyle data for cross-cohort comparisons. We observed significant age- and sex-associated differences across multiple clinical laboratory measures, mirroring findings from Milieu Intérieur, with notable exceptions for C-reactive protein and liver enzymes that may reflect environmental differences. Application of biological aging, physiological, and mental health scores highlighted limitations of existing metrics in non-European populations. Wearable fitness trackers further revealed age- and sex-related differences in sleep, physical activity, and heart rate variability. The HHGP-HK cohort provides a valuable resource for understanding immune variability in Asian populations.