Director's Message

Since its inception in 1974, NIA has been supporting outstanding research to address the special problems and needs of older Americans and to improve scientific understanding of the aging process. In 1999, the NIA kicked off a year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary, providing a poignant and appropriate time for reflection on past achievements and future opportunities in the field of aging research. NIA's strategic plan is a document that encapsulates this crucial juncture in the history of NIA and aging research, and presents a road map for the future.

The remarkable growth of the older population worldwide poses both opportunities and challenges. Notable progress in several areas of research—biomedical, social, and behavioral—have improved health and function and contributed to reduced rates of disability for older people. At the same time, unprecedented numbers of elders in the coming decades will face the risks of disease, frailty, and dependence. The need to understand the factors that promote health and independence and those that lead to disease and disability has never been more urgent. Fortunately, a strong aging research community is actively engaged in reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life of older people and their families.

In developing a new strategic plan for aging research, NIA has collaborated closely with the National Advisory Council on Aging and other public and private organizations to establish research priorities for the next 5 years. These priorities will address scientific topics that hold the greatest promise for advancing knowledge in areas such as the basic biology of aging, geriatrics, and social and behavioral functioning. Because NIA is the lead agency for research on Alzheimer's disease, NIA's plan reflects its commitment to preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease.

Richard Hodes, M.D.
Director, NIA