The Challenges of Our Aging Society

Over the past 100 years, we have witnessed enormous change in the size of the aging population in the U.S. - from around 1 out of every 25 persons in the early 1900s to around 1 our of every 4 or 5 persons in the 21st century. Because older adults represent the fastest growing segment of society, our universities must provide leadership, training, and scientific advances to meet their diverse needs.

The mission of the Institute on Aging of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is to promote, through excellence in multidisciplinary research, education, and practice, the health and well-being of the rapidly-expanding aging population in our local community, state, and society at large.

At the UW-Madison Institute on Aging, we are jointly focused on addressing the problems of aging, which include diseases and impairments (e.g., osteoporosis, dementia, Parkinsons, glaucoma, mobility problems) and the challenges of later life (e.g., widowhood, retirement, caregiving, relocation) as well as the potential of aging, which refers to the notable strengths, resources, and vitality of those in their 70s and beyond. Our goal is to understand the many factors (biological, psychological, social) that promote resilience as people age and to translate this knowledge to innovative educational and community intervention programs. As such, we see the present as a time of unprecedented opportunity to change the fundamental meaning of "old age."

In the News:

Q&A: 'Midlife in the U.S.' researcher to delve into reactions to recession
(Nov. 12, 2011)
Major study returns to probe mid-life, recession-related harm
(Nov. 9, 2011)

Is Happiness Overrated?
(Mar., 2011)

Healthy lifestyle, healthy eyes in old age
(Dec., 2010)

Scientists ferret out a key pathway for aging
(Nov., 2010)

Peace of mind closes health gap for less educated (October, 2010)

Highlighted Research:

Researchers Discover Possible Way to Predict Alzheimer's

Parents of Grown Children with Autism are More Likely to Divorce

photos by Jeff Miller

OPPORTUNITIES

RAND Summer Institute on critical issues facing the aging population. July, 2012.
For more information, click here.

New PhD program in aging at Colorado State University. Apply by Jan. 2, 2012.
For more information, click here.

Oregon State University
NSF-funded doctoral training in aging
For more information, click here.

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS

Perceived weight discrimination amplifies the link between central adiposity and nondiabetic glycemic control (HbA(1c)). (2010)

Impaired Vascular Regulation in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Effects of CPAP Treatment. (2009)

Vitamin D repletion does not alter urinary calcium excretion in healthy postmenopausal women. (2009)

Empirical explorations of mindfulness: Conceptual and methodological conundrums. (2010)

Violence from parents in childhood and obesity in adulthood: Using food in response to stress as a mediator of risk. (2009)

HIGHLIGHTED POSTERS

When to Call and When to Text?: Examining the Communication Preferences of Younger and Older Adults (2011)

Perceived Value of Religiosity as a Predictor of Positive and Negative Caregiving Outcomes in Mexican-American Filial Caregivers (2011)

Social Relationships and Mortality in Older Men and Women (2011)

Stressful Life Events, Social Support, and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Adults with a Family History of Alzheimer�s Disease (2011)

PGC-1α Pathway as a Potential Target for Cancer Treatment (2011)

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