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 1994.
11.14 : National Academy on Aging

Contact:  Moya Benoit Thompson     (202) 401-4541
Monday, Nov. 14, 1994

    AoA AWARDS $2 MILLION TO CREATE A NATIONAL ACADEMY ON AGING

     The Administration on Aging has announced the awarding of a $2
million grant to the Gerontological Society of America to establish
a National Academy on Aging.

     The National Academy on Aging will serve as a national forum
for policy analysis and debate on the major issues of concern to the
current and future aging society, including but not limited to
health care, long-term care, income security and the future of a
rapidly aging society.  

     "I am pleased to announce the establishment of the National
Academy on Aging.  The academy's work will be of critical importance
to the Administration on Aging as we continue to work to design a
framework for better informing leaders, policy officials and the
public about the need to plan comprehensively for the growing and
diverse numbers of older Americans in the 21st century," said
Fernando M. Torres-Gil, assistant secretary for aging.  The
"Blueprint for an Aging Society" is one of several priority areas of
the Administration on Aging.

     "The academy will define and frame the issues of an aging
society through annual forums, policy papers and the preparation of
issue briefs," Torres-Gil said.  The goal is to build consensus
around goals, values and directions for the development of a 
blueprint for an aging society by working closely with advocates,
educators and communicators as well as the White House Conference on
Aging scheduled for May 2-5, 1995.

     The academy will also conduct briefings, presentations, and
dissemination and media-related activities as part of a public
awareness campaign.

     The Gerontological Society of America is a national
organization of professionals dedicated to research, education and
practice in the field of aging, serving over 6,500 members in over
30 countries.

     The Gerontological Society of America will receive a sum of
$500,000 per year for four years for the operation of the National
Academy on Aging.  The academy will be directed by Robert B.
Friedland, Ph.D., director of research of the National Academy of
Social Insurance, and governed by a national steering committee made
up of recognized leaders.  Dr. James J. Callahan, director of the
Policy Center on Aging at Brandeis University will chair the
committee.     

     For further information on AoA's National Academy on Aging,
please contact Al Duncker of the U.S. Administration on Aging at
202/619-0441.

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