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Press ReleaseAlliance for Aging Research Board of Directors Names Sue Peschin as Chief Executive Officer
4/16/13Alliance for Aging Research Board of Directors Names Sue Peschin as Chief Executive OfficerDan Perry named President and Founder and Debbie Zeldow named COO
The Alliance for Aging Research today announced appointments of three top executives in a major reorganization for the non-profit organization.
Sue Peschin, MHS, has been elected Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Dan Perry named President and Founder by the Alliance Board of Directors. Debbie Zeldow becomes Chief Operating Officer (COO). -
Document, TestimonyAlliance Calls for Increased NIH Appropriations in FY 2014
On March 15, 2013, the Alliance for Aging Research submitted testimony to the House Appropriations, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee, calling for $32 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY 2014. To justify this increase, the Alliance highlighted important NIH-supported work administered through the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and other of the NIH's 27 Institutes and Centers. Particular attention was paid to advances in understanding the basic biology of aging and its link to chronic disease and the formation of a Geroscience Interest Group (GSIG) comprised of 20 Institutes and Centers to coordinate discussion and action across the NIH on research into the processes of aging that underpin most major age-related disease.
To read the Alliance's testimony, click here.
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ReportThe Silver Book: Persistent Pain
February 2013Around 100 million Americans live with persistent pain--more than are affected by diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined. This latest volume of The Silver Book brings together all of the data on persistent pain, all into one place. -
Press ReleaseGrowing Burden of Persistent Pain Calls for More Medical Innovation
February 20, 2013
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Cancer Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Persistent Pain Policy ResearchCynthia Bens, Alliance for Aging Researchcbens@agingresearch.org, 202-293-2856
Penney Cowan, American Chronic Pain Assoc.pcowan@tehacpa.org, 916-632-0922
Nicole Grady, American Osteopathic Assoc.
ngrady@osteopathic.org, 312-202-8038
Paul Gileno, US Pain Foundation
uspainfoundation@gmail.com, 860-788-6062
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Alliance for Aging Research released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation. This latest addition to The Silver Book series paints a comprehensive picture of the burden of persistent pain, and the value of innovation that helps reduce that burden. The briefing--held in partnership with the American Chronic Pain Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the US Pain Foundation--featured a medical expert, a pain patient, and leaders from the partnering organizations.
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Alliance in the News, Feature ArticleFollowing Katz at FDA
February 11, 2013 | Steve Usdin, Washington Editor
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development PolicyOn February 11, 2013, Steve Usdin, Washington Editor of BioCentury, published an article in BioCentury The Bernstein Report on Business focused on the future of the FDA’s Division of Neurology Products following the expected retirement later this year of the current Division Director, Russell Katz, M.D. Representatives from the biopharmaceutical industry and the patient advocacy community were interviewed for this article, including Daniel Perry, President & CEO of the Alliance for Aging research and Chair of the ACT-AD Coalition. Mr. Perry highlighted ACT-AD’s positive relationship with Dr. Katz and expressed hope that Dr. Katz’s successor will approach the review of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease with similar openness and flexibility.
To read the BioCentury article, click here.
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Get Mad ColumnHelping Stop a Devastating Disease: The ACT-AD Coalition Continues its Important Work in Alzheimer's
Winter 2013
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development Health PolicyAlzheimer's disease is a slow, dehumanizing, and fatal disease that strikes 1 in 8 people over the age of 65. While it's typically thought of as a disease that affects memory, it goes well beyond memory loss and eventually leads to death. -
Science in the SpotlightMuscle Loss & Aging: Combatting Sarcopenia and Lost Independence
Winter 2013 | Alliance for aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Drug Development Geriatric Training HealthTypically, our muscles grow larger and stronger as we age. That is, until about the time we celebrate our 30th birthdays. That’s when most of us start down the other side of the hill and begin to gradually lose our muscle mass, strength, and function. While it’s usually not very noticeable in our 30s and 40s, the loss increases exponentially with age and tends to accelerate between the ages of 65 and 80.
This progressive loss of muscle mass is called sarcopenia, and it’s found to play a major role in the increased frailty, disability, and functional impairment that too often come with aging. While sarcopenia is a condition that is not uncommon with age, we don’t have to just sit back and accept it. There are things we can do to slow its progress, and current research promises to make that trip over-the-hill less traumatic. -
Get Mad ColumnTaxes or Medical Research? Tensions Rise in the Battle to Reduce the Deficit
Winter 2013 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Federal Funding Health PolicyThe country did not go over the "fiscal cliff" thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), which was passed by Congress on New Year’s Day. While fears loomed that lawmakers would fail to act in time, ATRA addressed the expiration of numerous tax credits, raised some revenue, and temporarily delayed automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2012. When ATRA became law America earned a temporary reprieve from imminent economic catastrophe. However, our health and personal economic security may still suffer from the fallout resulting from actions taken by policymakers struggling to find a more permanent solution to the nation’s fiscal woes. -
Feature ArticleThe Month of Love and Heart Health
It’s that time of year where people throughout the world exchange candy, flowers, and sentimental gifts with their loved ones, and those that they hope to love. While many of us believe—especially those who grumble at the thought of the lovey-dovey holiday—that Valentine’s Day was invented by greeting card and chocolate companies to up their profits, it actually has a long, and somewhat dark history.
Heart health advocacy organizations are hoping to add to the history of Valentine’s Day by designating the month of love “heart health month” and making it another reminder of how important it is that we protect and cherish both our loved ones and our hearts. -
Fact SheetThe Silver Book: Atrial Fibrillation
February 2013 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Cardiovascular Disease Health Medical Innovation Policy Prevention StrokeAtrial fibrillation impacts between 2.7 and 6.1 million adults and can lead to stroke, heart failure, dementia, disability, and death. It also costs a tremendous amount of money--at least $6.65 billion each year. This latest factsheet from The Silver Book brings the leading data on the burden of the disease and the value of innovation to reduce that burden, all into one place. -
Press ReleaseStatement on FDA Draft Guidance for Alzheimer’s Drug Development
February 7, 2013 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development PolicyStatement on FDA Draft Guidance for Alzheimer’s Drug Development
Washington, DC (February 7, 2013) - Today Daniel Perry, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research and Chairman of the Accelerate Cure/Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACT-AD)coalition released the following statement in response to guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease. -
Document, Feature ArticleTranslating Innovation to Impact
December 17, 2012 | Katie Maslow, MSW, Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute of Medicine
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Policy Quality of Care ResearchThis white paper presents the findings and recommendations from a review of the state of the art non-pharmacological treatments and care practices for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias and their family caregivers. It is intended to support deliberations by the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and other government and private organizations about hot to make effective non-pharmacological treatments and care practices available to people who will benefit from then. Its development resulted from a public-private partnership between AoA and the Alliance for Aging Research, with funding from the Metlife Foundation. -
Press ReleaseTeleconference explains ways to reduce Medicare costs
Kenneth E. Thorpe, PhD, professor of Health Policy and Management at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health along with colleague Daniel Perry, president and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, suggest adopting specific initiatives such as transitional and team-based care, comprehensive medication therapy management, and health coaching to slow the growth in spending and improve quality of care. The team will host a teleconference on Thursday, December 13 from 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. to discuss these recommendations. -
DocumentAssessing Stroke and Bleeding Risk in Atrial Fibrillation
This expert consensus statement makes important recommendations on the use of stroke and bleeding risk tools, the decision to anticoagulate, the incorporation of patient preferences, and more. -
ReportThe Silver Book: Vision Loss Volume II
More than 38 million Americans age 40 and older are blind, visually impaired, or have an age-related eye disease, and adult vision loss costs our economy more than $51 billion a year. With major advances in vision research bringing new prevention and treatments, it is critical that support for research and incentives for innovation remain a priority.
In order to highlight this important data and encourage conversations and policies that look to investments in innovation rather than short-term cost-cutting and health care rationing, the Alliance for Aging Research has teamed up with the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) during their Decade of Vision, to release Volume II of The Silver Book®:Vision Loss. Volume II brings updated data on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma—which along with cataract, are the eye diseases that disproportionately impact older Americans. This new volume also highlights the exciting changes and discoveries in vision research and treatment from the past 5 years. -
Get Mad Column, NewslettersAlzheimer’s Treatment and Care at a Crossroads: Pursuing All Avenues to Provide Relief
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you’ve most likely wondered if there are any ways to relieve some of the burden of the disease, in addition to the pills to manage its symptoms. For many diseases like heart disease and diabetes, changes to diet and exercise are as high on health care providers list of advice for patients as a prescription for medication, but this isn’t the case with how they approach Alzheimer’s disease. -
NewslettersAt-A-Glance: Aging Research News
Leading researchers and authorities on aging are constantly making news with their breakthroughs and discoveries. Below is a small sample of the articles, podcasts, blog postings, and other media that highlight some of this important information on aging, age-related disease, and the science behind getting old: -
Feature Article, NewslettersDo We Have to Age the Way We Age? Dan Perry Takes This Question to the TEDMED Stage
Fall 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Federal Funding Longevity Medical Innovation Policy Prevention ResearchTEDMED is most known for its annual conference--a medical spin-off from the TED conference where people come to share big ideas and foster new ones. But TEDMED is also a community of people who are all passionate about the future of health and medicine, but in amazingly different ways. -
Newsletters, Science in the SpotlightHarnessing Technology & Science: Researchers Collaborate to Build an Unprecedented Resource
Recognizing both the power of technology and the priceless health information contained in the human genome, Kaiser Permanente and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), have formed a groundbreaking collaboration in order to produce one of the largest biobanks in the world. -
Alliance Views, NewslettersKnow Your Pulse: It Could Save Your Life
Think back and try to remember if your doctor or another health care professional checked your pulse during your last visit? Not with a stethoscope but with their fingers on your wrist? If you’re like many people you’re sure that they listened to your heart and checked your blood pressure, but you’re also pretty sure no one has taken your pulse in a while.
While listening to your heart with a stethoscope helps your doctor evaluate the functioning of your heart and its valves, a simple pulse check can better evaluate your heart’s rate and rhythm. -
Vision Checklist
December 2012A new checklist helps you start an important conversation with your eye care professional about your eye health. To learn more click here. -
Press ReleaseAFib Patient Survey Finds Active Participation in Treatment Decisions
One-Third of Surveyed Patients Report that Treatment Decision was Made Jointly with their Health Care Providers -
PodcastCER Interview with Cynthia Bens
August 14, 2012
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Other Diseases of Aging Policy Quality of Care Research Vision Loss
Cynthia Bens is the Director of Public Policy at the not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, Ms. Bens is responsible for guiding the organization's federal policy work, representing the Alliance in multiple national coalitions, and directing the Accelerate Cure/Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease (ACT-AD) Coalition. For the past eleven years Ms. Bens has worked to inform federal policymakers and educate the public on a variety of issues. For more than half of that time her efforts have centered on the formulation of policies to expedite the development of interventions to treat and prevent many debilitating age-related disease; to remove access barriers to needed treatments and therapies; and to improve the coordination and quality of care seniors receive.
Prior to joining the Alliance in 2006, Ms. Bens was a senior manager of government affairs with the Loeffler Group. As part of its federal government affairs practice, she represented diverse client interests before the U.S. Congress and the administration. Her core areas of focus included appropriations, budget, health care, education, telecommunications, and international trade. Through various other positions on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, she has acquired extensive experience researching and analyzing federal legislation and regulations. Ms. Bens holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from New York University with concentrations in Political Science and Women’s Studies.
"However, if {CER} results are poorly communicated, the availability of more information could lead to confusion for patients on what choices are the right ones for them and also confusion for providers on how they should treat their patients."
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PodcastCER Interview with Gail Hunt
August 14, 2012
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Caregiving Drug Development Drug Safety Federal Funding Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care Research Vision LossGail Hunt is President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, a non-profit coalition dedicated to conducting research and developing national programs for family caregivers and the professionals who serve them.
Prior to heading NAC, Ms. Hunt was President of her own aging services consulting firm for 14 years. She conducted corporate eldercare research for the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration, developed training for caregivers with AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, and designed a corporate eldercare program for EAPs with the Employee Assistance Professional Association.
She was appointed by the White House to serve on the Policy Committee for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. Ms. Hunt was on the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education, is chair of the National Center on Senior Transportation, is a Commissioner of the Center for Aging Service Technology, and is Secretary of the Long-Term Quality Alliance. Additionally, Ms. Hunt is on the Governing Board of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)."I think {CER} is a wonderful opportunity for patients and care givers to get involved in the research. Those families and care givers should be involved in helping to work on the research, involved in helping to think through what the results mean, how they can best be disseminated, and help in the dissemination. Which is an opportunity they haven’t had before." -
PodcastCER Interview with David Meltzer
August 14, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Federal Funding Medical Innovation Other Diseases of Aging Policy Prevention Quality of Care Research Vision LossDavid O. Meltzer MD, PhD, is Chief of the Section of Hospital Medicine, Director of the Center for Health and the Social Sciences, and Chair of the Committee on Clinical and Translational Science at The University of Chicago, where he is Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Department of Economics and the Harris School of Public Policy Studies. Meltzer’s research explores problems in health economics and public policy with a focus on the theoretical foundations of medical cost-effectiveness analysis and the cost and quality of hospital care. Meltzer is completing a randomized trial comparing the use of doctors who specialize in inpatient care (“hospitalists”) with traditional physicians in six academic medical centers and is Director of the AHRQ-funded Hospital Medicine and Economics Center for Education and Research in Therapeutics (CERT) at the University of Chicago.
Meltzer received his MD and PhD in economics from the University of Chicago and completed his residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Meltzer is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lee Lusted Prize of the Society for Medical Decision Making, the Health Care Research Award of the National Institute for Health Care Management, and the Eugene Garfield Award from Research America. Meltzer is a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research, elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and past president of the Society for Medical Decision Making. He has served on panels examining the future of Medicare for the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and U.S. organ allocation policy for the Institute of Medicine (IOM). He is currently serving on an IOM panel on the Learning Health Care System, the DHHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Healthy People 2020,and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute Methodology Committee, as a Council Member of the National Institute for General Medical Studies, and as a health economics advisor for the Congressional Budget Office.
"Off label use is common, and I think we allow it from a societal perspective because, if we limit ourselves only to things for which strong evidence exists, we will miss opportunities to do benefit." -
Press ReleaseAlliance Releases New AFib Consensus and Survey
WASHINGTON, DC (July 19, 2012) – The Alliance for Aging Research (Alliance) announced the release of a new consensus statement written by leading experts in the area of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AFib). The consensus development was spearheaded by the Atrial Fibrillation Optimal Treatment Task Force, led by the Alliance. The resulting statement provides a standardized approach to assessing moderate- to high-risk patients and determining who should be on an anticoagulant medication. Additionally, the document presents the leading stroke and bleeding risk tools all in one place – making them easy for health care professionals to access and compare. -
Press Release2012 MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award® Recipient Announced
June 25, 2012
Related topics: Geriatric Training Health Longevity Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care Research2012 MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award® Recipient Announced -
The Silver Book: Vision Loss Volume II
March 2012 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision LossMore than 38 million Americans age 40 and older are blind, visually impaired, or have an age-related eye disease, and adult vision loss costs our economy more than $51 billion a year. While for the most part we have not seen the number of Americans impacted by these eye diseases decrease since the release of Volume I, we have seen exciting new treatments decrease their burden. The use of anti-VEGFs to treat AMD, supplements for prevention, and combined statin treatment to slow progression of diabetic retinopathy, are just a few of the innovations that are bringing hope to millions of Americans. The Alliance for Aging Research and the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research believe that this resource will showcase that value and enrich the national debate on health care and research funding.
Visit to view all of the data in a searchable format. -
Science in the SpotlightUnder Treatment of a Treatable Disease: T.A.K.E. on Glaucoma
An estimated 2.3 million Americans are living with glaucoma and because it is a disease of aging, that number is expected to climb during this decade—surpassing 3.3 million by 2020—a 50% increase. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that are associated with elevated eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. That vision loss can usually be prevented with early detection and proper treatment and disease management, yet glaucoma continues to be one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. -
Feature ArticleGo4Life: NIA Campaign Encourages Exercise at All Ages
Exercise is good for your health. Not surprising right? We’ve all watched countless news reports and read stacks of stories extolling the virtues of regular exercise. So why do only 30% of adults between the ages of 45 and 64 report that they engage in regular physical activity? That number gets even lower as we age with only 25% of people between the ages of 65 and 74, and 11% of those ages 85 and older, saying that they exercise regularly. Keep in mind that those numbers are probably higher than reality because people tend to over-estimate how much they exercise when they are reporting it to others. -
Alliance ViewsThe Common Denominator: The Key to Extending Healthspan
Spring 2012 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Health Medical Innovation Policy Prevention ResearchMost people know what lifespan is—the average length of life of a species, often measured within a sub-population like “Americans” or “women.” Essentially—how long we live. But few have even heard of healthspan. Dictionary.com defines it as the “period of one’s life during which one is generally healthy and free from serious disease.” Essentially—how long we live in good health. -
Get Mad ColumnAn Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Are We Sacrificing Health for a Balanced Budget?
Spring 2012 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Policy Quality of CareLast summer, lawmakers were not just feeling the heat of the August sun in Washington when Congress passed the Budget Control Act of 2011(BCA). Under pressure to raise the country’s debt ceiling, the BCA allowed the president to do so by up to $2.8 trillion, but only by requiring the deficit to be slashed by $2.3 trillion over the next decade. Not a bad trade, right? Think again. The methods used to make these cuts could take a fat slice out of the federal budget that pays for research to prevent diseases we all fear as we grow older like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and heart disease. -
Alliance in the News, Alliance Views, VideoDan Perry on BioCentury This Week: Alzheimer's Research
In a March 18th interview with BioCentury This Week, Alliance for Aging Research President & CEO Daniel Perry shares his thoughts on U.S. funding of Alzheimer’s research. Perry also calls for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to adopt biomarkers and other tools to detect and treat Alzheimer's disease earlier. -
Alliance in the NewsAlliance Releases Updated Silver Book®:Vision Loss
On March 7, the Alliance for Eye and Vission Research (AEVR) joined with the Alliance for Aging Research (AAR) and the glaucoma community in releasing The Silver Book®: Vision Loss Volume II during the 2012 World Glaucoma Week Congressional Briefing entitled Glaucoma: Blindness Incidence and Progress Towards Individualized Treatments.
The Silver Book®: Vision Loss Volume II presents the latest data on the significant health and economic burden of age-related eye diseases and demonstrates the potential for innovative treatments emerging from research. AAR President and CEO Daniel Perry noted that this edition contains 150 “insights” from 80 different research sources, adding that “it is testimony to the progress of research that there are already enough new data to warrant an update since the initial vision loss edition was released in September 2007.” He emphasized that AAR’s series of Silver Books on various age-related diseases facilitate policymakers’ discussions about healthcare delivery and research spending priorities, especially important as the nation faces the “Silver Tsunami” of 10,000 citizens a day turning age 65 between years 2011 and 2029.To view the entire AEVR article, click here.
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Alliance in the News, Science in the SpotlightAlzheimer’s Biomarkers are Ready for Research
March 7, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy ResearchIn a March 1st interview, Dr. John Morris, co-chair of the Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Expert Working Group (convened by the Alliance for Aging Research), explains what biomarkers are and how they will help research in the field of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.
John C. Morris is the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Professor of Pathology and Immunology, Professor of Physical Therapy, and Professor of Occupational Therapy at Washington University. He also is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
For More info on the promise of biomarkers in Alzheimer's, click here. -
PodcastCER Interview with Hon. Tony Coelho
March 1, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Other Diseases of Aging Policy Quality of Care Research Vision LossHon. Tony Coelho, is a former United States congressman from California, and primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In March 2009, Coelho was named as Chairperson for the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC). In this capacity, Coelho will work to amplify the voice of the partnership’s diverse members, including people with disabilities, racial and ethnic communities and the elderly, among others. Coelho also serves as board Chairman of the America Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization.
Coelho was elected to Congress in 1978 and served for six terms until 1989. He served on the Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, and Administration Committees during his tenure, specializing in disabled rights. In 1986, Coelho was elected House Majority Whip. As the chief vote counter for his party, Coelho oversaw a series of Democratic victories in the House on measures ranging from the budget to cutting off funds for the war in Central America.
Coelho was the original author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. By 1994, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that some 800,000 more people with severe disabilities had found employment than were employed when the bill was first enacted. The promise of Coelho’s political career had been redeemed by the disabled community from whose ranks he had arisen.
President Bill Clinton appointed Coelho to serve as Chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, a position he held from 1994 to 2001. He also served as Vice Chair of the National Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. In 1998, Clinton appointed Coelho as the United States Commissioner General at the 1998 World Expo in Portugal. Clinton also appointed Coelho as Co-Chair to the U.S. Census Monitoring Board, a position he held until his appointment as general chairman of the Gore presidential campaign.
Coelho now makes his home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. He participates annually at New York Law School for its Tony Coelho Lecture in Disability Employment Law & Policy. He has endowed a chair in Public Policy at the University of California in Merced and also in Neurology for Pediatric Surgery at UCLA. In addition to currently chairing Life Without Limits and the Disability Pride & Power Committee, he serves on the Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors.
"Medical decisions should never be determined by clinical trials by the government or insurers, I think they should be determined by the Doctor with the patient. " -
PodcastCER Interview with Dr. Louis Jacques
February 27, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision LossDr Louis Jacques, MD, joined CMS in 2003 and has been director of the Division of Items and Devices in the Coverage and Analysis Group since 2004. The division reviews evidence and develops Medicare coverage policy for Part B drugs and biologicals, medical imaging and durable medical equipment. Prior to his arrival at CMS, Dr. Jacques was the Associate Dean for Curriculum at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he retains a faculty appointment. He served on a number of university committees including the Executive Faculty, Committee on Admissions and the Institutional Review Board. He previously worked in the Palliative Care program at Georgetown’s Lombardi Cancer Center where he covered the gynecologic oncology service and he made home visits as a volunteer physician for a rural hospice on the Maryland Eastern Shore.
Following graduation from Georgetown University in 1978, he entered the University of Maryland School of Medicine, graduating in 1982. He completed residency in 1985 and was National Health Service Corps assignee to Peoples Community Health Clinic in Waterloo Iowa for four years. From 1989 to 1995 he saw primary care patients while also holding a variety of administrative and academic positions at Henry Ford Health Systems and Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. His research interests and publications focused on injury prevention, physician workforce issues, and medical education.
"I think CATT showed the value of public investment in an important research questions that was probably not going to be addressed in the private sector"
The discussion presented represents the views of Dr. Louis Jacques MD, and does not necessarily represent the views of CMS or the United States government. No statement should be construed as an official position of CMS.
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Alliance in the News, Press ReleaseAlliance Applauds Obama Administration’s Commitment to Alzheimers
February 7, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation Mental Health Policy Prevention Quality of Care ResearchWashington D.C.- February 7, 2012 - The Alliance for Aging Research, today applauded the Obama Administration for reprogramming $50 million from the current budget to Alzheimer’s disease and pledging an additional $80 million for Alzheimer’s research in the next budget cycle. “This is an important bet against the looming tide of dementia threatening America’s aging Baby Boomers,” said Dan Perry, president and CEO of the not-for-profit Alliance and chair of the Accelerate Cure/Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACT-AD) coalition. “Even a modest shift in budget priorities in the current funding environment shows that the case for stepped-up research against this disease is being heard by this President,” Perry added.
The Alliance and other health advocates have met with officials in the White House, the budget office and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in recent months urging a bold increase in basic research into Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases of aging.
At a press conference in Washington, DC, today Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other officials, including the Director of the NIH, acknowledged that Alzheimer’s has “quite quickly become one of our nation’s most critical health challenges." Repeating a theme Secretary Sebelius and others said “we can’t wait to act” to reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s on patients and families.
In addition to targeting $50 million more for Alzheimer’s research in the current NIH budget, Secretary Sebelius announced that $80 million in additional Alzheimer’s funding will included in the President’s budget for FY 2013, and still another $26 million will be included for caregiver support, provider education and other goals of the National Alzheimer’s Disease Plan passed by Congress and signed by the President last year—adding up to a $130 million total commitment over two years.
Perry noted that a National Advisory Committee on Alzheimer’s established by the national plan already has identified its number one goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. “Setting this direction and backing it up with $130 million over the next two years is an outstanding start, especially during these times of extreme budget austerity,” he said.
The Alliance for Aging Research and other Alzheimer’s and advocacy groups for aging research have pressed their case in recent months for increased funding during direct negotiations with the Obama Administration. To show broad support among researchers, the organizations gathered more than 530 signatures to support a budget increase for the National Institute on Aging within the NIH. The NIA will receive “a substantial portion” of new Alzheimer’s funding this year and next, according to Perry. -
Alliance in the NewsReady for Prime Time
February 1, 2012 | Dennis J. Selkoe and John C. Morris
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development Policy ResearchThought Experiment: Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease are ready for widespread use in clinical trials.
There’s been a lot of discussion about the need for biomarkers to diagnose and monitor the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). That discussion should continue, for sure, but the aging of our society means that researchers in the AD field need to move from talk to action.Although some biomarkers have been under study for more than a decade, the continuing absence of truly effective therapies for preventing, moderating, or curing AD spurred the publication in December of a special supplemental issue of Neurobiology of Aging about the latest research and expert opinion on AD biomarkers in an effort to advance trials of experimental agents for the disease.Biomarkers for AD can be divided broadly into those that identify aspects of the underlying molecular pathology and those that reflect the “downstream” consequences of that pathology. The neuropathological hallmarks that define AD are the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles invariably found in the brains of AD patients upon autopsy. Amyloid plaques develop when the amyloidβ peptide of 42 amino acids (Aβ42) accumulates in increasingly insoluble forms, and neurofibrillary tangles develop when abnormal tau proteins accumulate inside neurons and form insoluble filaments. Both Aβ42 and tau can be measured in cerebrospinal fluid. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans that use special dyes to detect amyloid plaques represent another biomarker of the basic neuropathology of the disease.Certain imaging tests detect more “downstream” changes that follow events initiated at the molecular level. For example, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help measure progressive neuronal loss and brain shrinkage caused by AD.Contributors to the Neurobiology of Aging special issue concluded that at least three AD biomarkers are ready to be incorporated into AD clinical trials. These biomarkers—structural MRI, brain amyloid imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid levels of Aβ42 and tau—should be used both for selecting AD patients for enrollment and as surrogate outcome measures in Aβ42 clinical trials, along with clinical assessments such as the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), assessments of activities of daily living (ADL), and neuropsychological tests.Biomarkers will benefit AD clinical trialsClinical trials will benefit from the use of AD biomarkers because they offer greater precision than cognitive assessment tools in measuring the progression of AD, and allow for the use of fewer trial subjects (who are correctly diagnosed) to be studied for shorter times, thus reducing the cost of the trials. For example, measuring AD biomarkers can facilitate selective enrollment of “relatively rapid decliners,” meaning fewer participants and potentially less time to demonstrate treatment effects. Biomarkers also enhance an investigator’s confidence that patients are accurately diagnosed with AD.The above-mentioned biomarkers have been evaluated in AD primarily for three purposes: diagnosis—to help confirm that a patient’s cognitive symptoms are specifically due to AD; screening— to assess whether asymptomatic or very early symptomatic individuals indeed have the condition; and prognosis—to predict whether and how symptoms will appear and progress.The three biomarkers can also serve as endpoints in clinical trials, to assess an effect of a therapeutic agent on the progression of AD, to provide information needed by sponsors in deciding whether to invest in a larger study using clinical endpoints, or to help provide evidence of a treatment’s disease-modifying effects.Because biomarkers of AD neuropathology and of the state of the brain likely have greater precision in measuring biological change than do clinical and cognitive-assessment tools, there is growing interest in the role they could play as correlates of, or perhaps replacements for, clinical endpoints in the future approval of AD therapies by regulatory agencies.Biomarkers can guide AD drug developmentThe AD field has been understandably concerned about the rate of progress of clinical research, in part due to the prominent failure of three late-phase clinical trials of compounds developed to modify AD dementia. Tramiprosate (Alzhemed) was a putative anti-Aβ-aggregation compound, but this mechanism was not proven in phase 2 trials and the phase 3 results showed no clear evidence that it had entered the central nervous system and engaged the Aβ target. R-flurbiprofen (Flurizan), a putative gamma-secretase modulator derived from a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, lacked potency and did not enter the brain well. In the interrupted phase 3 study of semagacestat, a gamma-secretase inhibitor, patients were not fully dosed due to significant toxicity and adverse events. None of these studies relied systematically on biomarkers as entry criteria or surrogate endpoints.It was the cumulative disappointment in the wake of these trials that helped encourage the Alliance for Aging Research, in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration, to assemble the Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Expert Working Group, a team of leading researchers that analyzed extant data and published the Neurobiology of Aging special issue. The collected papers urge the routine use of biomarkers to assist in patient selection for AD trials and to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments. At the same time, the papers discuss what needs to be done to standardize various biomarker assays in order to minimize interlaboratory variability and to establish uniform protocols for sample collection.We hope these collected studies represent a tipping point, and send a message to clinical researchers as well as to regulators that certain biomarkers already hold much promise to improve the process of testing new disease-modifying therapies for AD. We encourage academic investigators, industry sponsors, and the FDA to routinely include biomarker use in designing clinical trials that have the goal of slowing or preventing AD. Because AD has such a long asymptomatic phase, subjects must be treated when they have only mild symptoms of dementia, or even before symptoms appear. This imperative puts AD biomarkers—those now evaluated as useful and those yet to be identified—front and center as vital tools for screening, early diagnosis, and monitoring of this devastating and fatal illness.Dennis J. Selkoe is Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. John C. Morris is Friedman Distinguished Professor of Neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.Further Reading:
J.C. Morris, D.J. Selkoe, “Recommendations for the incorporation of biomarkers into Alzheimer clinical trials: an overview,” Neurobiology of Aging 32:S1-S3, 2011.D.J. Selkoe, “Resolving controversies on the path to Alzheimer’s therapeutics,” Nature Medicine 17:1060-65, 2011.
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Alliance in the NewsTCV Interview-Can Biomarkers Really Predict AD?
January 26, 2012 | Brenda Avadian, MA
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development PolicyThe Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Biomarker Expert Working Group just published a new paper in Neurobiology of Aging. They recommend that certain AD biomarkers be used for clinical assessments, enrolling study participants, and as an outcome in AD clinical trials.
Biomarkers, Alzheimer's, and clinical trials can help find AD faster and can lead to more effective treatments for AD.
Really?
The Caregiver’s Voice asked two questions in reference to excerpts from Use Biomarkers in Alzheiemr's Disease Clinical Trials.
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Alliance in the NewsCynthia Bens Featured For Patient Advocacy Work
January 25, 2012 | Roxanne Yaghoubi
Related topics: Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care ResearchThis week, the Coalition for Imaging & Bioengineering Research (CIBR) ran a story in their Patient Advocate Group (PAG) Spotlight newsletter, titled "Patient Advocate Leader Cynthia Bens Attends RSNA 2011 as Guest of the Coalition for Inaging & Bioengineering Research (CIBR)."
In it, Ms. Bens, the Director of Public Policy for the Alliance for Aging Research writes about her experience representing the Alliance for Aging Research and CIBR at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.Ms. Bens described the event as a, "...fantastic and rare opportunity to get the kind of hands-on feel for imaging technology that patients are rarely afforded," and that she hopes, "...other advocates will be able to attend the conference and learn about the increasingly important role imaging technology plays in the lives of patients that they represent."
To view the full article, click here. -
PodcastCER Interview with Dr. James Goodwin (UK)
January 24, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision LossJames Goodwin, PhD, is the Head of Research in Age UK, the new organization which resulted from the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged. The mission of Age UK is to improve the lives of older people.
He holds a visiting professorship at Loughborough University in the Department of Human Sciences. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal ‘Quality in Aging’ in the UK. He sits on numerous expert bodies, including the UN Research Agenda for Aging panel, the UN Digital Health Group, a WHO Advisory Group, scientific advisory panels of the research councils and is Chair of the Halcyon Knowledge Transfer Steering Committee at UCL. He is a member of a Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research for the UK Government.
Professor Goodwin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Keele University, UK. After graduation he read for a Master’s in Human Physiology at Loughborough University and then for a PhD in climatic physiology at the Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter. His research area was the effects of temperature variations on the autonomic cardiovascular responses of older people, an area highly relevant to the issue of climate change and older people’s health. His other area of expertise is knowledge transfer, sitting on the advisory Board of KT-EQUAL, as a panel member of the LLHW Program and as an adviser to Imperial College on their age-related research in the Faculty of Engineering.
"It is my personal opinion that the decisions I see made by NICE, would be met with stupefaction by people in the United States."
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PodcastCER Interview with Barbara McLaughlan
January 6, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision LossBarbara McLaughlan is the Policy & Campaigns Manager at the Royal National Institute of Blind People(RNIB). At RNIB, McLaughlan has played a major role in the successful campaign to ensure that patients with wet age-related macular degeneration are given treatment with new anti-VEGF treatments on the NHS. Access to treatment remains a major focus of her work as well as running several eye health promotion projects. Ms. McLaughlan is also the Chair of Patients involved in NICE (PIN), an independent group made up of patient and voluntary organizations that work closely with NICE.
"From a patient’s perspective, if I were the patient I would always say ‘I want the licensed treatment because that’s gone through all the trials and I can be absolutely sure about what I’m getting, plus there is monitoring of outcomes and possible adverse events following licensing and use in clinical practice.”
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PodcastCER Interview with Alexander Ommaya
January 5, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision LossAlexander Ommaya, DSc, MA is Director of Translational Research at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role he is responsible for managing development of new research activities focusing on health systems improvements, genomic medicine, text analysis of the VA electronic health record, comparative effectiveness research, traumatic brain injury, and Post Traumatic Stress disorder. Previously he was Director of the Institute of Medicine’s Drug Forum and Clinical Research Roundtable. These multi stakeholder groups addressed science policy issues concerning the research enterprise and established public / private collaborative research activities.
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida he directed Business Knowledge Management where his department evaluated and developed improvements for pharmacy, disease, and utilization management programs. Dr. Ommaya has worked for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as a Senior Advisor for the Office of the Administrator; Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a Senior Analyst for the Defense and Veteran’s Brain Injury Program; the U.S. Senate as a Health Policy Fellow; and the National Institutes of Mental Health. His previous research focused on neuroplasticity and cortical reorganization; treatment of malignant Glioma; rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury; and health care quality and costs of care. Dr. Ommaya is a member of the Veterans Affairs Technology Assessment Advisory Group and previously the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee. Dr. Ommaya received his Doctoral degree in Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins University; a Master’s degree in Biopsychology from Mount Holyoke College; and his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Vassar College.
“It’s always difficult to change existing practice patterns, and even when the data is published in high-profile scientific journals like the New England Journal, it doesn’t by itself necessarily change practice.”
The discussion presented represents the views of Alexander Ommaya, D.Sc., MA, and does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government. No statement should be construed as an official position of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Press Release
Use Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials
January 4, 2012
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Drug Development Health Medical Innovation Policy Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Drug Development Health Medical Innovation Policy Research
Use Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials, Says Expert Group
Podcast
CER Interview with Dan Ollendorf
January 4, 2012
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Dan Ollendorf, MPH, ARM , is Chief Review Officer for the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review (ICER); in this capacity, he is responsible for the conduct of systematic reviews of the comparative effectiveness of new or emerging health care technologies, as well as the coordination and oversight of the broader health technology assessment process. Dan’s 25 years of health care experience include work in the insurance, managed care, hospital, informatics, and consulting sectors, the last 15 years of which have been spent conducting health-economic, epidemiologic, and other relevant evaluations for a variety of stakeholders.
Prior to joining ICER, Dan was Executive Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, for IMS Health, where he was responsible for the operations and strategy of a $20 million franchise as well as the successful acquisition and integration of a US consulting practice. Dan has also served as Vice President of Applied Research at PharMetrics (now a unit of IMS), where he managed the scientific team conducting a variety of research initiatives using integrated claims data; and as a senior consultant at Policy Analysis Inc. (PAI), where he was responsible for the conduct and design of numerous health-economic, quality-of-life, and retrospective database analyses in a variety of therapeutic areas.
Dan holds a Master’s of Public Health in epidemiology/biostatistics and health services from Boston University, an Associate’s degree in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute, and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Administration from the University of Rochester. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, is a reviewer for several medical-scientific journals, and currently serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy.
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Prior to joining ICER, Dan was Executive Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, for IMS Health, where he was responsible for the operations and strategy of a $20 million franchise as well as the successful acquisition and integration of a US consulting practice. Dan has also served as Vice President of Applied Research at PharMetrics (now a unit of IMS), where he managed the scientific team conducting a variety of research initiatives using integrated claims data; and as a senior consultant at Policy Analysis Inc. (PAI), where he was responsible for the conduct and design of numerous health-economic, quality-of-life, and retrospective database analyses in a variety of therapeutic areas.
Dan holds a Master’s of Public Health in epidemiology/biostatistics and health services from Boston University, an Associate’s degree in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute, and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Administration from the University of Rochester. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, is a reviewer for several medical-scientific journals, and currently serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy.
“In terms of policymakers, I think the concern is…what sorts of other head-to-head trials should be conducted in similar situations where there may be an older stand-by or a product that has kind of been subsumed by the process of innovation, but may actually in fact still have relatively high effectiveness versus a comparative treatment.”
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Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. Maureen Maguire
December 12, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Maureen G. Maguire, PhD, received her doctoral degree from the Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Public Health and then joined the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Maguire served in increasingly more responsible positions (protocol monitor, biostatistician, senior biostatistician, deputy director, director) in as series of multicenter clinical trains in ophthalmology that were based either in the School of Medicine or School of Public Health. During this period, she also collaborated on multiple clinical research projects with colleagues in the Department of Ophthalmology and in teaching research methods with colleagues in the Welch Center for Prevention, a joint venture of the Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
In July 1994, Dr. Maguire joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania to establish the Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics (CPOB). Since then, she has held leadership positions in several multicenter clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration sponsored by industry and the NIH, including the ongoing CATT trial. In addition, she was actively involved in the development of the Vision In Preschoolers Study, an NEI-sponsored, multicenter, clinical investigation of methods for screening young children for vision problems.
Dr. Maguire is now the Carolyn F. Jones Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Ophthalmology. She has served on and chaired several data and safety monitoring committees and is on the editorial board of the journal Ophthalmology and Cornea. She has more than 125 publications in the areas of ophthalmology and clinical research.
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In July 1994, Dr. Maguire joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania to establish the Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics (CPOB). Since then, she has held leadership positions in several multicenter clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration sponsored by industry and the NIH, including the ongoing CATT trial. In addition, she was actively involved in the development of the Vision In Preschoolers Study, an NEI-sponsored, multicenter, clinical investigation of methods for screening young children for vision problems.
Dr. Maguire is now the Carolyn F. Jones Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Ophthalmology. She has served on and chaired several data and safety monitoring committees and is on the editorial board of the journal Ophthalmology and Cornea. She has more than 125 publications in the areas of ophthalmology and clinical research.
"I think patients and the public need to weigh the differential costs of the drug, with the safety profile, with the number of injections that are required, and think about which treatment approach is best for them. And what might be best for the public funders of healthcare."
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Press Release
Alliance for Aging Research Announces New Science Advisors
December 20, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Cardiovascular Disease Health Longevity Policy Research
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Cardiovascular Disease Health Longevity Policy Research
Washington, DC—The Alliance for Aging Research has added new members to its Science Advisory Board including a prominent bioethicist, a world-renowned neurologist, a Nobel Prize winner in economics, a leading longevity researcher, and the only cardiologist to receive all four major cardiovascular research awards. The Alliance’s Science Advisors are actively engaged in understanding the aging process, age-related disease, and the implications of an aging society. They offer the not-for-profit Alliance scientific insight, guidance, and expertise and ensure that the organization’s public education and policy development efforts continue to meet the highest standards.
Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. Sean Tunis
December 14, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Sean Tunis, MD, MSc., is the Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Technology Policy in Baltimore, Maryland. CMTP’s main objective is to improve the quality and relevance of clinical research by providing a neutral forum for collaboration among experts, stakeholders and decision makers. Dr. Tunis was a member of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Initial National Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research. He advises a wide range of domestic and international public and private health care organizations on issues of comparative effectiveness, evidence based medicine, clinical research, reimbursement and health technology policy.
Through September of 2005, Dr. Tunis was the Director of the Office of Clinical Standards and Quality and Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In this role, he had lead responsibility for clinical policy and quality for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health coverage to over 100 million US citizens. Dr. Tunis supervised the development of national coverage policies, quality standards for Medicare and Medicaid providers; quality measurement and public reporting initiatives, and the Quality Improvement Organization program. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tunis served as the senior advisor to the CMS Administrator on clinical and scientific policy. He also co-chaired the CMS Council on Technology and Innovation
Dr. Tunis joined CMS in 2000 as the Director of the Coverage and Analysis Group. Before joining CMS, Dr. Tunis was a senior research scientist with the Technology Assessment Group, where his focus was on the design and implementation of prospective comparative effectiveness trials and clinical registries. Dr. Tunis also served as the Director of the Health Program at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment and as a health policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, where he participated in policy development regarding pharmaceutical and device regulation.
He received a B.S. degree in Biology and History of Science from the Cornell University School of Agriculture, and a medical degree and masters in Health Services Research from the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Tunis did his residency training at UCLA and the University of Maryland in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and holds adjunct faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins, Stanford and the University of California San Francisco Schools of Medicine.
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Through September of 2005, Dr. Tunis was the Director of the Office of Clinical Standards and Quality and Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In this role, he had lead responsibility for clinical policy and quality for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health coverage to over 100 million US citizens. Dr. Tunis supervised the development of national coverage policies, quality standards for Medicare and Medicaid providers; quality measurement and public reporting initiatives, and the Quality Improvement Organization program. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tunis served as the senior advisor to the CMS Administrator on clinical and scientific policy. He also co-chaired the CMS Council on Technology and Innovation
Dr. Tunis joined CMS in 2000 as the Director of the Coverage and Analysis Group. Before joining CMS, Dr. Tunis was a senior research scientist with the Technology Assessment Group, where his focus was on the design and implementation of prospective comparative effectiveness trials and clinical registries. Dr. Tunis also served as the Director of the Health Program at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment and as a health policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, where he participated in policy development regarding pharmaceutical and device regulation.
He received a B.S. degree in Biology and History of Science from the Cornell University School of Agriculture, and a medical degree and masters in Health Services Research from the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Tunis did his residency training at UCLA and the University of Maryland in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and holds adjunct faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins, Stanford and the University of California San Francisco Schools of Medicine.
“I think the results of the CATT Trial raised a lot of the nuances about what questions are useful to study, how to study them, and how you might use the results.”
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Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. William W. Li
December 7, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
William W. Li, MD resident, Medical Director, and Co-founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation, has been changing the face of modern Medicine for 25 years, by tackling a "common denominator" of disease called angiogenesis, or new blood vessel growth. Trained by research pioneer Dr. Judah Folkman, Dr. Li is leading national and international efforts to bring forth revolutionary new treatments for cancer, diabetes, blindness, and heart disease that restore the body's normal balance of blood vessels. Through the Foundation, he has created a unique model for speeding medical advances by driving collaborations between scientists, clinicians, industry, regulators, payers, and patients. A major current focus of Dr. Li is aligning the goals of medical innovation and comparative effectiveness research and emerging health policy.
A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Li received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Li has served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School, and Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. His work has been published in Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and other leading peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Li has been a speaker at the TED Conference, and is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.
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A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Li received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Li has served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School, and Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. His work has been published in Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and other leading peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Li has been a speaker at the TED Conference, and is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.
“A the end of the day, CATT represents one early milestone, and an important study that’s going to be used as a case study for comparative effectiveness, or CER research. And one of the more interesting policy questions is, since the NIH provided funding for the CATT study, should the NIH be funding even more CER studies.”
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Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. Chris Henshall
December 6, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Chris Henshall, PhD, is the Chair of the Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) Policy Forum for the period of 2010 to 2013, and is an Associate Professor in the Health Economics Research Group at Brunel University and an Honorary Fellow in the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York in the UK. He is also a member of the Alberta Research and Innovation Authority in Canada.
He was HTAi's founding President as well as the first Chair of the Policy Forum (2005 - 2007). Dr. Henshall held the position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations at the University of York from January 2005 to April 2010. Prior to this, he had been Director of the Science and Engineering Base Group in the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry in London, where he was responsible for around £3b (US $5b) per annum of government support for research and innovation. Before joining the Department of Trade and Industry, Dr. Henshall served as Deputy Director or Research and Development in the Department of Health. During his tenure there, he was closely involved in establishing the NHS HTA Program, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and, with colleagues in other countries, INAHTA. Over the years, he has also been involved in various initiatives to promote and co-ordinate HTA across Europe.
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He was HTAi's founding President as well as the first Chair of the Policy Forum (2005 - 2007). Dr. Henshall held the position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations at the University of York from January 2005 to April 2010. Prior to this, he had been Director of the Science and Engineering Base Group in the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry in London, where he was responsible for around £3b (US $5b) per annum of government support for research and innovation. Before joining the Department of Trade and Industry, Dr. Henshall served as Deputy Director or Research and Development in the Department of Health. During his tenure there, he was closely involved in establishing the NHS HTA Program, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and, with colleagues in other countries, INAHTA. Over the years, he has also been involved in various initiatives to promote and co-ordinate HTA across Europe.
“If you want to be a successful innovator, you need to think to yourself very hard about what a health system is likely to want to pay for, and not assume that that they’re going to pay for everything that you want to sell them.”
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Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. Kevin Frick
December 5, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Kevin Frick, PhD, MA is a health economist who has been on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for nearly 15 years. He is a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management. He has taught about and performed cost-effectiveness research and other research comparing costs and outcomes of care or interventions for most of his career.
He has taught in the School of Nursing at the Johns Hopkins University both as a guest lecturer and as the instructor running most of the health economics and finance course for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Students. The lecture he is asked to give most commonly is an overview of economics and cost-effectiveness analysis. He has participated in a number of research projects with colleagues at the School of Nursing—each of which has focused on measuring costs related to interventions that are being led by nurse researchers.
In addition to his work with the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, he has lectured at the Schools of Nursing at Loyola University of Chicago, at Columbia University, at the University of Maryland, at Pace University, and at the Univeristy of Indiana. He has presented plenary sessions at the Southern Nursing Research Society, at the NDNQI Meeting, and at several other nursing meetings. He has completed four years of service on the National Institute for Nursing Research Advisory Council. Prior to his membership on the Council and once while he has been on the Council he has helped to organize workshops on cost-effectiveness for nurse researchers.
His focus on cost-effectiveness and comparative effectiveness in nursing and in eye care demonstrates his clear interest in this area.
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He has taught in the School of Nursing at the Johns Hopkins University both as a guest lecturer and as the instructor running most of the health economics and finance course for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Students. The lecture he is asked to give most commonly is an overview of economics and cost-effectiveness analysis. He has participated in a number of research projects with colleagues at the School of Nursing—each of which has focused on measuring costs related to interventions that are being led by nurse researchers.
In addition to his work with the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, he has lectured at the Schools of Nursing at Loyola University of Chicago, at Columbia University, at the University of Maryland, at Pace University, and at the Univeristy of Indiana. He has presented plenary sessions at the Southern Nursing Research Society, at the NDNQI Meeting, and at several other nursing meetings. He has completed four years of service on the National Institute for Nursing Research Advisory Council. Prior to his membership on the Council and once while he has been on the Council he has helped to organize workshops on cost-effectiveness for nurse researchers.
His focus on cost-effectiveness and comparative effectiveness in nursing and in eye care demonstrates his clear interest in this area.
"If we can get the same main impact with no worse side effect profile and spend two orders of magnitude less on it, by all means, I think everyone would agree that would be a better buy…I think the main thing people are waiting to see is can we spend a lot less money without having to give up on the clinical outcomes, or are we really back in the same situation that we often are, which is thinking about whether or not to make trade-offs and how to make trade-offs as we spend more money to get what would presumably be a better clinical outcome from the more expensive product."
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Podcast
CER Interview with Dr. Kalipso Chalkidou
November 21, 2011
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Aging Research Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Research Vision Loss
Kalipso Chalkidou, MD, PhD, is the director of the policy consulting arm of NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), responsible for managing and developing consulting services for international clients drawing on the Institute’s experience of using evidence to inform health policy and practice. Between 2007 and 2008, she spent a year in the US as a Harkness fellow in health policy and practice, studying conditional coverage (Centre for Medical Technology Policy, San Francisco) and drug pricing policies (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore). She holds a doctorate on the molecular biology of prostate cancer from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (2003).
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“The question is not whether you have perfectly personalized information, or whether you have less perfectly personalized information. The question is really whether you have some information or have no information. Right now, the alternative to CER is basically having very little or no information."
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Brochure
Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This popular brochure has been updated to reflect the latest advances in detection, prevention, and treatment (released in November 2011). It guides readers through the latest information on age-related macular degeneration symptoms and risk factors, while offering ways to help reduce risk. The widely used Amsler Grid can still be found on the back cover.
Press Release
Top Alzheimer’s Advocate to Join Alliance for Aging Research
11/8/11
Washington, DC, November 8, 2011 – Sue Peschin, a leading advocate for public policies supporting Alzheimer’s disease research and services for affected families, will join the Alliance for Aging Research beginning January 2012, it was announced by the Alliance today.
Document, Testimony
Alliance President Makes Remarks at a Hearing on Prescription Drug User Fee Act Reauthorization
On October 24th, Alliance President & CEO Daniel Perry presented remarks at a public meeting on the fifth reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). PDUFA IV, currently set to expire in September of 2012, authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect user fees from companies wishing to submit their products for agency review. The intention is that the fees would be used to provide an additional revenue stream for FDA to hire more staff, improve systems, and establish a better managed drug review process to speed up the delivery of needed therapies to the public. The PDUFA reauthorization process has historically been conducted through negotiations between the Agency and regulated industries, however the current round of negotiations allowed for patient groups to engage in monthly consultations with FDA representatives to enable all stakeholders to have an early voice in shaping the PDUFA V agreement.
Document, Fact Sheet
Detecting Glaucoma: Assessing Your Eye Health with a Comprhensive Eye Exam
This tip sheet tells you what to expect during a comprehensive eye exam--the key to detecting glaucoma and preventing its serious consequences.
Document
Our T.A.K.E. on Glaucoma
A Declaration from the Glaucoma Working Group to Take Action to Know your Eyes
Today, more than 40 million Americans are age 65 or older. By 2050, it is estimated that figure will rise to 88.5 million. Our nation is aging rapidly, and this demographic shift likely means longer hospital stays, more doctor visits, and greater healthcare expenditures for more and more Americans. If you're a Baby Boomer and looking ahead to your silver years, you already have plenty to think about: retirement, the economy, elderly parents, and young adult children. It's hard to find time to focus on your health--especially if you feel healthy!
Today, more than 40 million Americans are age 65 or older. By 2050, it is estimated that figure will rise to 88.5 million. Our nation is aging rapidly, and this demographic shift likely means longer hospital stays, more doctor visits, and greater healthcare expenditures for more and more Americans. If you're a Baby Boomer and looking ahead to your silver years, you already have plenty to think about: retirement, the economy, elderly parents, and young adult children. It's hard to find time to focus on your health--especially if you feel healthy!
Press Release
Experts in Eye Care and Aging Call for Renewed Efforts in Glaucoma
Experts in Eye Care and Aging Call for Renewed Efforts in Glaucoma Detection and Management among Americans
Fact Sheet
The Facts About Afib
The most common type of arrhythmia—or abnormal heart rhythm—atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a disorder of the heart’s electrical system that affects an estimated 2.3 to 5.6 million people in the US. During AFib episodes the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat irregularly and out of sync with the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles). In some people these episodes come and go. In others they are chronic and occur regularly. In both cases, the arrhythmia itself isn’t generally serious; however, abnormal blood flow and strain to the heart can lead to serious medical conditions.
Download to learn more about what it means to have AFib, risk factors, treatment options, and making the right treatment decision for you.
Download to learn more about what it means to have AFib, risk factors, treatment options, and making the right treatment decision for you.
Press Release
Alliance Partners with AEVR on Briefing to Discuss Lifestyle and AMD
The Alliance for Aging Research will co-host a Congressional Briefing with the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) on Lifestyle and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The briefing will be held on September 21, from 12:00 - 1:15 in House Rayburn B-340--taking place during AEVR's Decade of Vision 2010-2020 Initiative. To RSVP contact Dina Beaumont at dinabeau@aol.com.
Living Legend
At-A-Glance: Aging Research News
Leading researchers and authorities on aging are constantly making news with their breakthroughs and discoveries. Below is a small sample of the articles, podcasts, blog postings, and other media that highlight some of this important information on aging, age-related disease, and the science behind getting old:
Feature Article
Conscious Aging: Through Their Art, a Couple Finds Beauty and Peace in Aging
Who hasn’t looked in the mirror only to find someone staring back with too many wrinkles and gray hairs? Someone who we don’t recognize because that person is way too old? When Alice and Richard Matzkin found themselves and their loved ones confronting bodies being etched by time and pulled down by gravity, they became overwhelmed by fear.
Science in the Spotlight
The Balancing Act: Managing Atrial Fibrillation
Every year around 75,000 Americans learn that they have atrial fibrillation. Some are diagnosed after noticing that their heart is racing or skipping beats. Others feel chest and throat pressure that they think is a heart attack. Or they go to their doctors feeling tired-out and weak all the time. Some feel nothing at all.
Alliance Views
Silver Scholars: Valuing Active Aging
Summer 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Medical Innovation Policy Research
Related topics: Aging Research Medical Innovation Policy Research
We make decisions using economics every day. Deciding whether or not to spend money on something we usually find ourselves weighing the benefits against the costs. Should I buy an iPhone so I can check my e-mail on the train, or get the free phone and check when I get home? Should I buy the more expensive house that’s closer to work, or the one in a more affordable neighborhood with a longer commute? Should I hire someone to paint my house, or take the time to do it myself?
Get Mad Column
Can We Work the Bugs Out? In Search of the Next-Generation IPAB
Summer 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Federal Funding Health Policy Quality of Care
Related topics: Federal Funding Health Policy Quality of Care
An IPAB is not the latest device created by Apple to play music or store your online files. IPAB is the Independent Payment Advisory Board and its purpose is to oversee costs in Medicare. The only similarity between IPAB and an iPAD is that both are small and complex units with tremendous power to change lives. But for those receiving their health care under the Medicare program, IPAB’s changes may not be for the better.
Alliance in the News
Advocates: FDA deal with drug makers ‘opaque’
June 8, 2011
| J. Lester Feder
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation Policy Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation Policy Research
Consumer advocates are blasting the FDA for the process it has used to renegotiate the terms of the drug approval process following news that a deal has been reached with industry on proposed changes to the process.
The FDA had been holding two sets of meetings in working out an agreement on the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, which Congress must reauthorize in 2012. One set has been held with representatives of PhRMA and the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the other with stakeholders including patient groups, consumer advocates and provider organizations.
According to an email obtained by POLITICO, industry accepted an FDA proposal “shortly before Memorial Day weekend” and forwarded an agreement to HHS last week. But stakeholders did not receive details on the deal until Wednesday morning. The email, which was forwarded to POLITICO by a source, was sent by Theresa Mullin, the Director of the Office of Planning and Informatics in the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The slides provided by the FDA to stakeholders also did not include all aspects of the deal, including the dollar amount set for user fees for the 5-year reauthorization window. An industry source confirms to POLITICO that fees will increase only $100 million over their current level, from $2.9 billion under the last reauthorization to $3 billion — an amount that keeps pace with inflation. These fees are paid by drug companies when they submit new products for review and help finance the approval process.
“I was not surprised that we were left in the dark,” said one rueful consumer advocate participating in the stakeholders’ meetings on background. “We went through the motions but the real deal was over there with industry and the process was opaque.”
“The whole process is very questionable,” said another stakeholder participant, Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women and Families.
Though Zuckerman said the stakeholder meetings gave a chance for input that was not available during the 2007 reauthorization, they have not fundamentally changed the process.
“We say what we want, then the FDA is supposed to reflect that [in negotiating with industry]. But as you can see from this apparent agreement, that hasn’t happened,” she said.
Many provisions of the deal respond to industry concerns that approval timelines have been slipping due to new requirements placed on the process by Congress. Mullin wrote that the FDA rejected a demand for new review deadlines, instead taking steps to “increase communication the FDA and sponsors during review.”
There is no plan to add new personnel to speed the core review process, which may have required additional user fees to pay their salaries. However, the agency will create a dedicated liaison unit to help companies navigate the review process.
Additional personnel would better be used to do scientific work, said Zuckerman, instead of doing “customer service” for drug makers. And much greater resources are needed to cover the cost of guaranteeing patient safety.
“Basically in these negotiations, because it’s industry money, FDA’s never negotiated as a full partner. They’ve negotiated as a supplicant,” she said.
Another consumer advocate echoed the sentiment that the reliance on user fees places far too heavy an emphasis on the approval timeline rather than patient safety, remarking, “The process is too much about the idea that industry needs to be serviced in exchange for these fees.”
Some elements of the deal did have support among stakeholders, however. Cynthia Bens, director of public policy at the Alliance for Aging Research praised the FDA for “taking to heart comments from the patient community about how they could improve the [approval process],” including reconfiguring the risk/benefit calculation to be more “sensitive to the needs of patients” awaiting treatments.
Bens also defended the two-track process.
“I think there can always be more [stakeholder involvement], but ultimately patients aren’t the ones who are putting the money forward, so I see why the [stakeholder] process is separate” from industry’s negotiations, she said.
The FDA’s Mullin highlighted provisions of the deal as reflecting stakeholder input when writing to stakeholders.
“Throughout this negotiation process, your identified priorities for strengthening regulatory science and patient safety have played a critical role in our success in getting these enhancements included in the PDUFA V package of proposed recommendations,” she wrote.
PhRMA would not comment on details of the agreement, but Senior Vice President for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Dr. David E. Wheadon praised the process in a statement for being “characterized by unprecedented transparency, including the FDA holding the first of its two planned public meetings and posting minutes from industry negotiating sessions and stakeholder meetings on its website.”
BIO’s Sara Radcliffe, executive vice president of health, provided POLITICO a statement that said, “FDA, BIO and PhRMA have agreed on a package of proposed technical recommendations that will enhance the drug development and review process through increased transparency and scientific dialogue, advance regulatory science, and strengthen post-market surveillance.”
FDA spokeswomen Karen Riley declined to comment on any of the specific details of this process.
“The package of proposed recommendations is currently undergoing further administration review and that we cannot comment on the details of the package,” Riley wrote in an email.
To read and comment online:
https://www.politicopro.com/go/?id=3839
DVD
A Quick Look at Alzheimer's: Pocket Film - The Genetics of Alzheimer's
The latest in a series of animated films that explain the essence of the disease and its public health implications, The Genetics of Alzheimer's explores the role of genes in developing the disease. These films are designed to increase understanding in order to reduce stigma, improve care and help strengthen the public fight against this challenging disease.
Press Release
MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award Recipient Announced
April 25, 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Longevity Medical Innovation Policy Research
Related topics: Longevity Medical Innovation Policy Research
Today, the Alliance for Aging Research and the MetLife Foundation announced the winners of the first-ever MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award. Economists Dr. David Cutler, Department of Economics and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; and Dr. Dana P. Goldman, University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development; were jointly awarded $75,000 in honor of their important work in helping to clearly define the value of healthy aging and medical innovations that help individuals live healthier, longer.
Report
The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation - Thrombosis
March 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Medical Innovation Policy Prevention Research Stroke
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Medical Innovation Policy Prevention Research Stroke
This latest volume in the important Silver Book collection focuses on atrial fibrillation, stroke, and venous thromboembolism--three of the most common causes of and results of thrombosis. The data in this volume emphasize the tremendous burden of thrombosis, especially as our population ages, as well as the potential value of innovation in reducing this burden.
Press Release
Growing Burden of Thrombosis Calls for Medical Innovation
March 23, 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Policy Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Policy Research
In a briefing on Capitol Hill the Alliance for Aging Research released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation. This latest addition to The Silver Book series paints a comprehensive picture of the burden of thrombosis—with a focus on atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE)—three common causes of and results of thrombosis. The briefing, held in partnership with the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and StopAfib.org, featured a medical and economic expert, and an atrial fibrillation patient.
Newsletters
At-A-Glance: Aging Research News
Leading researchers and authorities on aging are constantly making news with their breakthroughs and discoveries. Below is a small sample of the articles, podcasts, blog postings, and other media that highlight some of this important information on aging, age-related disease, and the science behind getting old:
Get Mad Column
Bracing for the Silver Tsunami: Aging Research May Save Lives and Money
Investigators supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are on the cusp of research breakthroughs that could enhance their abilities to predict and intervene earlier in the processes of many age-related chronic diseases. In particular, rapid progress in recent years in advancing understanding of the aging process has led to considerable knowledge of how scientists might increase human health in later life by opposing the primary risk factor for most disease of aging—aging itself.
Science in the Spotlight
Treating Valve Disease: Successful Options for All Patients
Each year, as many as 5 million Americans are diagnosed with valve disease. There are a number of different types of valve disease and all of them involve defects or damage to one or more of the heart’s four valves. While some types are not serious, others can lead to major complications, including death. Fortunately, most valve disease can be successfully treated with surgery in patients of all ages and races.
Feature Article
Treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Going Head to Head
Spring 2011
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care Research Vision Loss
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Drug Safety Health Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care Research Vision Loss
Exciting treatments make slowing and even restoring vision loss in wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) patients a reality. Two of the most frequently used treatments are currently in the spotlight as they go head-to-head in clinical trials comparing their effectiveness, and to some extent, exploring their costs.
Alliance Views
Super Agers: Sharing Their Secrets
A new website from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University—SuperAgers.com—highlights the findings from more than a decade of aging research and features some of the centenarians that shared their secrets, and their DNA, for this seminal project.
Brochure
La Enfermedad de Alzheimer: Ayudandote a Ayudar a un Ser Querido
In order to educate family caregivers on how to care for themselves while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alliance for Aging Research created this workshop kit. This translated workshop kits assist community groups in hosting workshops for Spanish-speaking family caregivers.
Brochure
La Enfermedad de Alzheimer: Ayudándote a Ayudar a un Ser Querido - Guía para Líderes
El propósito de este taller es educar a los familiares encargados de cuidar a
un ser querido con la enfermedad de Alzheimer a darles el mejor cuidado
posible sin descuidar sus propias necesidades. Esta Guía para Líderes servirá
de guía para los que trabajan en el ambiente de la salud, personal médico,
coordinadores comunitarios, etc, y les ayudará con la conducción del taller.
un ser querido con la enfermedad de Alzheimer a darles el mejor cuidado
posible sin descuidar sus propias necesidades. Esta Guía para Líderes servirá
de guía para los que trabajan en el ambiente de la salud, personal médico,
coordinadores comunitarios, etc, y les ayudará con la conducción del taller.
Brochure
La Enfermedad de Alzheimer: Ayudándote a Ayudar a un Ser Querido - Guía paraQuienes Cuidan a Personas con la Enfermedad de Alzheimer
Como familiar y persona encargada de cuidar a alguien con
la enfermedad de Alzheimer, tienes demasiadas tareas y
mucho que hacer. Hay tanto por aprender, tantas cosas que
planear, tantas preocupaciones. Por eso necesitas leer ésta
guía, no solamente por la persona a quien cuidas, si no
además por tí mismo.
la enfermedad de Alzheimer, tienes demasiadas tareas y
mucho que hacer. Hay tanto por aprender, tantas cosas que
planear, tantas preocupaciones. Por eso necesitas leer ésta
guía, no solamente por la persona a quien cuidas, si no
además por tí mismo.
Newsletters
At-A-Glance: Aging Research News
Leading researchers and authorities on aging are constantly making news with their breakthroughs and discoveries. Below is a small sample of the articles, podcasts, blog postings, and other media that highlight some of this important information on aging, age-related disease, and the science behind getting old:
Alliance Views
The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS: A Graying Epidemic
When the AIDS epidemic first shook the nation in the 1980s, no one with the virus was expected to live long—let alone reach old age. But thanks to the discovery of effective drug therapies, most people with the disease can now look forward to living well into their senior years. Add to that the fact that older Americans are becoming newly infected at an alarming rate, and HIV/AIDS is clearly no longer a problem for the young.
Get Mad Column
What is the 510(k)? Balancing Benefits, Safety, and Patient Needs
What does a tongue depressor have in common with an artificial knee and a heart monitor? This is not trick question or an unsolvable riddle—all three are medical devices that must go through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval. Many of us are exposed to medical devices on a regular basis but few of us give much thought to who develops these products, and even fewer take the time to consider how their benefits and safety were measured. The process by which these products are evaluated and allowed for public use is essential to the quality of life of millions of people in the U.S., however most Americans know very little about it.
Science in the Spotlight
Managing Diabetes Innovative New Breakthroughs on the Horizon
Diabetes in the U.S. is continuing to rise at an alarming rate, fueled in large part by the obesity epidemic and our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and poor diets. Every year, more than 1.6 million Americans develop diabetes—joining the ranks of the more than 28 million Americans who already have the disease.
Feature Article
Searching for Answers & Hope Learning About a Disease that Steals Memories
Summer 2010
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Caregiving Health
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Caregiving Health
First they told her she had Alzheimer’s disease. Next they suggested that the medications they had prescribed to control her anxiety and depression were the cause. Then they told her it was Parkinson’s. It was years before doctors finally figured out what was making Susan Grant’s mind slip away.
Podcast
Valvular Disease Podcast with Beverly Simmons
Beverly Simmons is a valve surgery patient and provides details about her personal experiences in this podcast. Topics she discusses include her symptoms and when she decided to see a doctor about them, how she was diagnosed, how her knowledge about the procedure progressed, how she felt after surgery, and resources she recommends.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
Podcast
Valvular Disease Podcast with Dr. Vincent Gaudiani
Dr. Vincent Gaudiani is the senior cardiac surgeon at Pacific Coast Cardiac & Vascular Surgeons. In this podcast, he draws from his over 10,000 operations and 40 scientific papers to cover the basics of heart valve surgery including options available to patients in terms of procedures and mechanisms, risks to consider, expectations for surgery, and how to find resources.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
Podcast
Valvular Disease Podcast with Dr. David P. Faxon
Dr. David Faxon is a decorated Cardiologist with Clinical and Diagnostic Specialties serving as Vice Chair of Medicine for Integrated Clinical Services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Roxbury Crossing, MA. In this podcast, he discusses the diagnosis, management and treatment of valve disease including, types of valve disease, symptoms, treatment options, and what patients should expect from surgery.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
Fact Sheet
Talking with Your Doctor About Valve Disease
This quick guide to talking with your doctor about valve disease includes information for patients who think they may have a valve problem, as well as for those who know they have valve disease. This resource can help make these important conversations with your doctor a little bit easier.
Fact Sheet
Valve Disease: Patient Information
This fact sheet includes basics on valve disease--what it is, how you get it, how you know you have it, how it's diagnosed, and how it's treated. It also covers broad treatment options, what to expect after surgery, and a list of helpful resources.
Document
The Severe Burden of Diabetes on America's Seniors
May 2010
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention Research
In an Alliance for Aging Research and American Diabetes Association joint briefing, Dr. William Rowley from The Institute for Alternative Futures presented on the economic burden of diabetes and the need for continued research into prevention, management and treatment options. His slides are available here.
Document
Human Burden of Diabetes and The Importance of Research
May 2010
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention Research
In an Alliance for Aging Research and American Diabetes Association joint briefing, Dr. K.M. Venkat Narayan from Emory University in Atlanta presented on the human burden of diabetes and the need for continued research into prevention, management and treatment options. His slides are available here.
Press Release
Alliance Releases The Silver Book®: Diabetes
The Alliance for Aging Research released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation. The latest addition to The Silver Book series focuses on diabetes. The volume was released at a Capitol Hill briefing which featured medical and economic experts and a patient advocate. The briefing was co-sponsored by the American Diabetes Association.
Alliance Views
Aortic Stenosis: Under-Diagnosed and Under-Treated
Spring 2010
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Quality of Care
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Quality of Care
Aortic stenosis is a type of heart disease where the aortic valve becomes narrowed over time, obstructing blood flow to the body. It is more common with age and if left untreated, can lead to heart disease, significantly decreased quality of life, heart failure, and even death. Fortunately, aortic stenosis (AS) can usually be treated with surgery in patients of all ages.
Get Mad Column
CAN You Help Find a Cure?: Funding May Mean the Difference Between Life and Death
Spring 2010
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation Policy
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation Policy
After a long fought battle over how best to structure meaningful health reform legislation, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law in March. Many media sources are reporting on the negative financial impact some health reform provisions might have on the country, but little attention has been focused on positive aspects of the bill that could make a real difference in the lives of many people suffering from, or who will face, serious and life-threatening illnesses.
Science in the Spotlight
Our Sick Environment: Threatening Healthy Aging
Spring 2010
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Health Nutrition Prevention Research
Related topics: Aging Research Health Nutrition Prevention Research
Headlines continue to be filled with news about how we are “pre-programmed” for disease, but our genes are not the only things putting us at risk. When it comes to age-related chronic diseases, major risk factors like genetics, age, gender, and environmental factors appear to interact to cause disease.
Feature Article
Pain and Confusion: Figuring Out How to Safely Treat Pain
Are you or a loved one dealing with persistent pain but confused about what medications are safe? Understandably so! Treating persistent pain can be challenging and now warnings about the risks of leading pain relievers have left many of us wondering what we can do to safely treat our pain.
Brochure, DVD
Manteniéndose Firme: Prevención y Tratamiento de la Osteoporosis, Materiales para Taller
In order to educate women recently diagnosed or at risk for osteoporosis about the disease, the Alliance for Aging Research created this workshop kit. This translated kit assists community and health groups in hosting workshops that teach Spanish-speaking women how to best manage their prevention and/or treatment, and empower them to communicate with their doctor.
Brochure
Manteniéndose Firme: Prevención y Tratamiento de la Osteoporosis, Guía para Líderes
El propósito de este taller es educar a mujeres que recientemente fueron diagnosticadas con, o están en riesgo de sufrir de osteoporosis, sobre esta enfermedad. La información administrada en este taller ayudará a las articipantes a entender más todo lo referente a la osteoporosis, sus factores de riesgo, diagnóstico, y tratamiento.Tambien ayudará a las participantes a aprender a prevenir la enfermedad o, para aquellas que ya han sido diagnosticadas, a vivir con la enfermedad y mantener una buena calidad de vida. En definitiva, esta información ayudará a las mujeres a manejar mejor la prevención y/o tratamiento de esta enfermedad, y ayudará a equiparlas y darles los medios para poder comunicarse con su personal médico.
Brochure
Manteniéndose Firme: Prevención y Tratamiento de la Osteoporosis
Una de cada dos mujeres en Estados Unidos de más de 50 años de edad sufrirá durante su vida una fractura debido a la osteoporosis. Estas fracturas son un problema grave, ya que pueden limitar su independencia y su nivel de actividad por muchos años.
Usted puede protegerse de la osteoporosis. Si aprende todo lo posible sobre este problema, si adopta medidas preventivas y habla con su personal médico sobre los tratamientos, podrá proteger la salud de sus huesos y conservar su independencia.
Usted puede protegerse de la osteoporosis. Si aprende todo lo posible sobre este problema, si adopta medidas preventivas y habla con su personal médico sobre los tratamientos, podrá proteger la salud de sus huesos y conservar su independencia.
Document, Testimony
Alliance President Makes Remarks at a Hearing on Prescription Drug User Fee Act Reauthorization
On April 12th, Alliance President & CEO Daniel Perry presented remarks at a public meeting on the reauthorization process for the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). PDUFA IV, currently set to expire in September of 2012, authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect user fees from companies wishing to submit their products for agency review. The intention is that the fees would be used to provide an additional revenue stream for FDA to hire more staff, improve systems, and establish a better managed drug review process to speed up the delivery of needed therapies to the public.
Document, Report
The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Diabetes
The first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Diabetes is the latest volume in this important collection. Each section in the volume includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of diabetes and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population.
Press Release
Aortic Stenosis Campaign Educates Patients and Physicians
Building off of a highly successful campaign that educated physicians on aortic stenosis (AS), the Alliance for Aging Research recently released new resources that teach patients about the disease and encourage critical physician-patient communication.
Press Release
Alliance Releases Latest Volume of The Silver Book®
November 2009
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Health Medical Innovation Parkinson's Disease Policy Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Health Medical Innovation Parkinson's Disease Policy Research
In order to promote pro-innovation policies, the Alliance for Aging Research released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation. This latest addition to The Silver Book® series paints a comprehensive picture of the burden of neurological disease—with a focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases—the two most common neurological diseases in the United States.
Document
Practical Facts for Health Care Providers: Assessing and Treating Persistent Pain in Older Patients
Persistent pain is a common problem in older adults, yet many are reluctant to discuss it with their health care provider. They may see pain as an inevitable part of aging, or believe it’s not possible to relieve their symptoms.
Many times it is left up to the health care provider to ask questions of their elderly patients and figure out if pain is a problem. This fact sheet is a summary of the 2009 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) guidelines on the management of persistent pain in older persons. It highlights the AGS panel's main recommendations on assessing and treating persistent pain.
The Alliance also has an updated brochure that provides pain management information for patients.
Many times it is left up to the health care provider to ask questions of their elderly patients and figure out if pain is a problem. This fact sheet is a summary of the 2009 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) guidelines on the management of persistent pain in older persons. It highlights the AGS panel's main recommendations on assessing and treating persistent pain.
The Alliance also has an updated brochure that provides pain management information for patients.
Brochure
Aging with Ease: A Positive Approach to Pain Management
This booklet gives you a brief overview of how to recognize, understand, and safely treat your pain. It provides the latest information, including advice from the American Geriatrics Society’s 2009 guidelines for controlling persistent pain in older people.
The Alliance also has an updated guide for health care providers.
The Alliance also has an updated guide for health care providers.
Report
2008 Annual Report
The 2008 Annual Report highlights the programs and activities of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Document
Aortic Stenosis Podcast with Garry Clarke
Garry Clarke is an aortic stenosis patient and provides details about his own journey with the disease in this podcast. Topics he discusses include his symptoms and when he decided to see a doctor about them, how he was diagnosed, how his knowledge about the disease progressed, how he felt after surgery, and resources he recommends.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
Document
Aortic Stenosis Podcast with Adam Pick
Adam Pick is an aortic stenosis patient and valve disease education advocate. In this podcast, he discusses many of his experiences including diagnosis, finding a surgeon, resources he used to learn about treatment options, and his blog.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To learn more about Adam, visit his blog--Adam's Heart Valve Replacement and Repair Blog.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To learn more about Adam, visit his blog--Adam's Heart Valve Replacement and Repair Blog.
Document
Aortic Stenosis Podcast with Dr. Harlan Krumholz
Dr. Harlan Krumholz is a cardiologist and professor of medicine, epidemiology, and public health at Yale University. In this podcast, he provides the physician's perspective and discusses many aspects of aortic stenosis such as words commonly used by physician's to describe the disease, risk factors, diagnosis, when a patient should see a cardiologist, treatment options, and what patients should expect after surgery.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
To listen to this podcast, click here.
Brochure
Aortic Stenosis: Facts about a Heart Valve Disease
Aortic stenosis is a type of heart disease where the main outlet for blood to be pumped to the body--the aortic valve--becomes narrowed over time. It is more common with age and if left untreated, can lead to significantly decreased quality of life, heart failure, and even death.
This brochure provides information about aortic stenosis including risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
This brochure provides information about aortic stenosis including risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Brochure, Report
The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Neurological Disease
November 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Parkinson's Disease Research
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Parkinson's Disease Research
The first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Neurological Disease is the latest volume in this important collection. Each section in the volume includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of neurological disease, focusing on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population.
Alliance in the News
Alliance for Aging Research Allied Signal Award Winner wins Nobel Prize
October 2009
Dr. Carol Greider of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD won a share of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Dr. Greider was credited for discovering a key mechanism in the genetic operations of cells, an insight that has inspired new lines of research into cancer.
Dr. Greider was the Alliance for Aging Research's first Allied Signal Award Winner for her early research in the field of telomere biology, aging, and cancer, a field which at that time was in its infancy and not recognized by the major federal funding agencies. From 1992 to 1999, as part of its Program on Aging, AlliedSignal Inc. bestowed a $200,000 grant to a senior-level scientist conducting research on aging. The award was given to the investigator with a project showing the most innovation and greatest promise to improve the lives of older Americans.
Dr. Greider was the Alliance for Aging Research's first Allied Signal Award Winner for her early research in the field of telomere biology, aging, and cancer, a field which at that time was in its infancy and not recognized by the major federal funding agencies. From 1992 to 1999, as part of its Program on Aging, AlliedSignal Inc. bestowed a $200,000 grant to a senior-level scientist conducting research on aging. The award was given to the investigator with a project showing the most innovation and greatest promise to improve the lives of older Americans.
Report
Pain Management Survey
The Alliance for Aging Research commissioned a nationwide survey of 800 U.S. adults age 65 and older to better understand their attitudes, perceptions and concerns regarding age-related pain management and changes under consideration by the FDA to over-the-counter acetaminophen products. Clarus Research Group conducted the survey on behalf of the Alliance for Aging Research between September 14 and September 18, 2009. Support for the survey was provided by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc.
Alliance Views
Battling Health Disparities: Closing the Gaps
Summer 2009
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Osteoporosis Quality of Care Women's Health
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Osteoporosis Quality of Care Women's Health
Thanks to enormous advances in public health and exciting breakthroughs in medical innovation, over the past century Americans have seen dramatic gains in health and longevity. The United States currently spends more on health care than any other nation and for most people, this means access to one of the best health care systems in the world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t benefit all people equally and the reality is that most minorities have less access to care, fewer options for prevention and treatment, and higher rates of disease and illness.
Living Legend
Alice Thomas: Walking a Non-Traditional Path
At 79 years old, Alice Thomas is definitely not your traditional law student, but all her life she’s walked a fairly non-traditional path. Leaving home at just 16 years old, Thomas worked a variety of jobs to support herself including a drug-store waitress, a typist, and even an elevator operator. She eventually found herself in the construction industry despite the fact that it was and continues to be a “man’s world.”
Get Mad Column
Restoring a Commitment to Medical Research
Summer 2009
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Federal Funding Policy Vision Loss
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Federal Funding Policy Vision Loss
Investigators supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are on the cusp of research breakthroughs that may enhance their ability to predict and intervene earlier in the processes of many age-related chronic diseases.
Science in the Spotlight
What is Aging Research? Defining the Field
How exactly does one define aging research? It turns out that finding agreement on a single definition is not as easy as it seems.
Feature Article
Navigating Health Care Transitions: Tools for Information Sharing
At some point in our lives, most of us will face an illness where we have to deal with many different health care professionals—often spread out in different locations and settings across the health care system. Our primary physician may refer us to a specialist, or we may have an emergency that sends us to the ER and later requires that we be admitted to the hospital or see our primary physician for follow-up. We may even have to move from the hospital to a rehabilitation or long-term care facility.
Press Release
Alliance Applauds Nomination of Collins to be NIH Director
Daniel Perry, executive director of the not-for-profit Alliancefor Aging Research, issued the following statement applauding the nomination of Dr. Collins:
Press Release
Alliance Supports Collaboration to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
This week Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that drug manufacturers and lawmakers have struck a legislative compromise to reduce America's healthcare costs by $80 billion over the next several years. The agreement would commit drug companies to reducing the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare Part D participants incur while in the coverage gap.
Press Release
Alliance Urges Congress to follow Schrader’s Suit
On Tuesday, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), joined fellow New Democrat colleagues Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), in introducing the Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Act of 2009 (H.R. 2502).
Report
Gray is the New Gold: State of the Science 2009
Optimism in Aging Research is the theme of this year's Gray is the New Gold report, produced by the Kronos Longevity Research Institute. The State of the Science Report was produced just after the new President took office, ushering in an era of optimism and hope within the scientific community. As you read through the report and recognize the potential of the research being conducted within the longevity field, we hope you, too, will feel the same.
Research highlighted in this report includes The Longevity Dividend, Oxidation, inflammation, and insulin resistance, Telomeres and insulin resistance, Physical fitness and exercise training, Calorie restriction, Hormones and aging, and Vitamin D.
To read the report, visit the Kronos Longevity Research Institute website.
Research highlighted in this report includes The Longevity Dividend, Oxidation, inflammation, and insulin resistance, Telomeres and insulin resistance, Physical fitness and exercise training, Calorie restriction, Hormones and aging, and Vitamin D.
To read the report, visit the Kronos Longevity Research Institute website.
Press Release
2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
More than 65 disease groups, not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations, and foundations urge Congress and President Obama to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America’s aging population. In a report released today, the 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding calls for at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2010 to halt the erosion of the nation’s research base and facilitate medical discoveries to fight diseases and disabilities that disproportionately affect older Americans.
Report
2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Policy Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Policy Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
The 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding--more than 65 non-partisan disease groups, patient advocates, and foundations--urges Congress and the President to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America's aging population. This year's report of the Task Force calls for a at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2010. It also presents data on the burden of diseases and conditions that predominately affect older Americans, highlights the emerging research the NIH is doing to decrease these burdens, and serves as a resource for policymakers working to establish the funding levels necessary to advance healthy aging.
Brochure
Living with Alzheimer's Booklet
This booklet is part of the larger Living with Alzheimer’s: Personal Health Organizer. It provides detailed information to guide you through using the worksheets, tips on finding help in your community, and a list of resources for more information.
Brochure
Living with Alzheimer's Worksheets
These worksheets are part of the larger Living with Alzheimer’s: Personal Health Organizer. They are designed to help you record important information throughout your diagnosis.
Brochure
Living with Alzheimer's: Personal Health Organizer
This 3-ring, hardcover binder includes the necessary tools you need to sort through all the Alzheimer's information you come across and keep track of only that which is relevant to you. Since no one experiences Alzheimer’s in the exact same way, your binder can be organized in a way that best fits your needs. This binder is designed to help the person who has just been diagnosed, but many of the worksheets can be used together with family members or by caregivers of those who are in later stages of the disease.
Alliance Views
Fashion Savvy Seniors Help Redefine Old Age
Today’s seniors are blowing old-age stereotypes out of the water and redefining what exactly it means to be “old.” This is a generation that can expect to live longer than past generations, tends to be better educated and more financially secure, and has a long history of independence. We’re already seeing changes in the lifestyles and typical images of seniors, and with the baby boom generation approaching their senior years, we’re sure to see even more.
Get Mad Column
The Savings and Safety of Drug Importation
The president and Congress are embarking on a fervent campaign to reform our damaged health care system. Few would disagree that there is waste in our current system, and even fewer would disagree with the fact that we need to bring healthcare to the 46 million Americans who are currently uninsured. But, many in Washington and across the country disagree on how to go about financing the massive health care overhaul that lawmakers are now proposing.
Living Legend
Cordelia Taylor: Making Change Happen
Working as a registered nurse and nursing home administrator for close to two decades, Cordelia Taylor got a hard look at a system where patient needs were too often put second to the desire for profits. After her ideas for change were rejected by her boss, Mrs. Taylor left her job to start her own facility where residents would be treated with love and respect.
Science in the Spotlight
Long Living in the Blue Zones
You’ve probably heard that Americans are living longer than ever—in fact the average baby born today can expect to live to be 78 years old. But did you know there are close to 50 other countries with even longer life expectancies?
Feature Article
Raising Awareness: The First Step in Preventing Senior Suicide
Every age group is at risk for suicide, but the most vulnerable group may surprise you. Older adults—particularly white men—experience the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. In 2005, the elderly comprised 12 percent of the population yet accounted for 17 percent of all suicides—more than 7,000 older Americans committed suicide that year.
Report
Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Drug Review as a National Priority
The aging of the baby boom generation continues to put more Americans at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The need for meaningful treatment options to fight the destruction caused by AD has never been greater. This article highlights the pivotal role that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will play in making the review of emerging AD therapies a national priority and ways that various stakeholders are engaging with regulators to meet the challenges posed by the growing AD epidemic.
To read more, visit: Alzheimer's & Dementia
To read more, visit: Alzheimer's & Dementia
Get Mad Column
Empowering Patients with Information and Improving Care
No one can deny that our country’s health care spending is reaching an unmanageable level. In 2006 we spent over $2 trillion on health care and some experts predict that we’ll be spending twice that much by 2017. While you might assume that population growth is causing these increases—more people usually means more health care—we’re also seeing a rise in the amount of money that we spend on each person.
Living Legend
Helen Raffel and Marianne Prichard: Lifetimes of Learning
Helen Raffel, 80, and Marianne Prichard, 62, are a part of a growing number of Americans who are dedicating their retirement years to the Peace Corps—an organization that sends volunteers around the world to assist with issues ranging from AIDS education to environmental protection. With only 6% of its volunteers age 50 and older, the Peace Corps recently launched a campaign to recruit older Americans.
Alliance Views
The Changing Face of Facebook
You’ve probably heard about Facebook—the website that all the teenagers are talking about, right? Well not anymore! Facebook is an on-line social networking site that is rapidly changing and reaching out to audiences of all ages and types.
Science in the Spotlight
Finding the Science Behind Alternative Medicine
More and more Americans are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat a variety of their ailments and help them fight diseases. In fact, a national survey found that more than one-third of adults use some form of CAM. Despite this widespread use, many of these therapies are not supported by science and little is known about how or if they work.
Feature Article
Study Shows Benefits of Flowers for Older Adults
“Flowers make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul.” American botanist Luther Burbank may have been onto something when he proclaimed this in the early 20th century. Many decades later, studies have found that flowers may actually have health benefits—especially for older adults. A 2001 Rutgers University study found that flowers eased depression, improved social interaction, and enhanced memory in adults age 55 and older. The study was partially funded by the Society of American Florists.
Press Release
Dr. Marie Bernard Departs Alliance Board to Accept Position at NIA
Concluding six years on the Board of Directors of the not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research, Dr. Marie A. Bernard assumed new responsibilities this week as Deputy Director of the federal government’s National Institute on Aging.
Press Release
Alliance Launches Aortic Stenosis Awareness Campaign
Following a survey that shows doctors and patients lack information about aortic stenosis (AS), a common age-related heart condition, the not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research is launching a campaign to educate physicians about this under-diagnosed and under-treated condition.
Video
Aortic Stenosis in Seniors: Videos
These four videos supplement the brochure Aortic Stenosis in Seniors: A Physician's Guide. Dr. Jamie M. Brown, Director of Cardiac Transplantation and Assist Devices at the University of Maryland Medical Center, highlights his experience and knowledge of aortic stenosis specifically as it relates to older patients.
Brochure
Aortic Stenosis in Seniors: A Physician's Guide
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a deadly condition that becomes more common with age. This expert-reviewed resource provides important information for physicians including screening, diagnosis, treatment information, and tips on talking with patients about AS. It also includes a prognosis comparison of treated versus untreated patients, plus a quick guide to the 2006 ACC/AHA practice guidelines on AS.
Press Release
Statement on the Death of the Honorable Paul G. Rogers
October 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Alliance for Aging Research is deeply saddened by the death of the Honorable Paul G. Rogers. Congressman Rogers was one of America’s most effective medical research advocates and will be greatly missed.
Get Mad Column
Election 2008: Candidates Paying Too Little Attention to the Approaching Silver Tsunami
The 2008 presidential election is upon us and health care reform is at the top of both candidates’ agendas. Democratic Nominee Senator Barack Obama and Republican Nominee Senator John McCain have both offered detailed plans to fix our ailing health care system.
Alliance Views
Investing in the Longevity Dividend
Life expectancy has reached an all-time high, and with that comes an increased risk of chronic diseases and other health conditions. Chronic diseases account for nearly three-fourths of the more than $2 trillion the U.S. annually spends on health care. If those numbers sound daunting, consider that costs will skyrocket in January 2011 when 78 million Americans begin to enroll in Medicare. The new president may choose to revamp health care when he takes office, but without breakthroughs in research, costs will continue to rise as our nation ages.
Living Legend
Jack Schnepp: Forever Young at Heart
Jack Schnepp doesn’t know what he’d do if he didn’t sing. “It’s just a natural thing now,” he says. The 78-year-old inherited a love for music from his parents—his mother was once involved in vaudeville and his ukulele-playing father performed in amateur productions. Jack began singing lessons when he was a young teenager, following his sister’s lead. He performed in musicals in high school and at the University of Pennsylvania, but his singing career truly began in 1999 when he joined the Young @ Heart chorus.
Science in the Spotlight
Sirtuins, Famine, and the Fountain of Youth
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about a “red wine” drug that could be a fountain of youth—combating the effects of aging and age-related disease. The drug, along with other promising breakthroughs, is being developed by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals—a company recently purchased by drug giant GlaxoSmithKline. The drug is based on resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine that activates important sirtuin genes and has extended healthy life in animal studies.
Feature Article
Pharmaceutical Companies Offer Free Medications to Those in Need
For the 47 million Americans without health insurance, each day is a struggle to find a way to pay for prescription drugs. Older adults, who are often prescribed several medications at a time, can find it even more difficult to pay medical bills. Despite the start of Medicare Part D in 2006, the elderly still spend thousands of dollars a year on prescription drug costs. What many people don’t know is that they may be eligible to receive their medications for free.
Document
Bone Health of Americans is in Jeopardy
In an Alliance for Aging Research, National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) joint briefing, Dr. Joan Lappe presented on the human burden of osteoporosis and the need for continued research into prevention and treatment options. Her slides are available here.
Document
The Value of Innovation in Osteoporosis
In an Alliance for Aging Research, National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) joint briefing, Rachael Fleurence, PhD, presented on the current economic burden of osteoporosis and the value of innovation in reducing that burden. Her slides are available here.
Brochure, Report
The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Osteoporosis
The first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Osteoporosis includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of osteoporosis and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population—those most at risk for osteoporosis-related fractures.
Press Release
New Resource Focuses On The Growing Burden Of Osteoporosis
The Alliance for Aging Research, in partnership with the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation. The latest addition to The Silver Book series focuses on the most prevalent bone disease in the U.S.—osteoporosis. The volume was released at a Capitol Hill briefing which featured medical and economic experts and patients. In addition, Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Michael Burgess (R-TX), champions of legislation to promote prevention and testing for the disease, supported the briefing.
Press Release
Experts Call for New Research Focus
Acknowledging increases in life expectancy and unprecedented aging of populations worldwide, experts from the United States and United Kingdom make the case for a new model of health promotion aimed at slowing aging in humans. Published online by the British Medical Journal (BMJ.com), the experts argue that interventions in aging that have worked in animals are now appropriate for disease prevention in humans and call for a well-funded and aggressive research strategy to extend healthy life.
Press Release
Alliance for Aging Research Recognizes Erik Fatemi
The Alliance for Aging Research will honor Erik Fatemi, a staff member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, for his public service and commitment to medical research with its inaugural Florence S. Mahoney Making A Difference Award. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the subcommittee, will participate in the award ceremony and reception
to be held this evening at the Reserve Officers Association.
to be held this evening at the Reserve Officers Association.
Document
Standing Strong: Preventing Osteoporosis Podcast
What foods are good for your bones and which ones may be hurting them? What exercise is best for warding off weak bones? When should you start getting your bones scanned?
Find out the answers and get other interesting tips on prevention and treatment in this podcast with Dr. Michelle Bellantoni from Johns Hopkins University. An expert in osteoporosis, Dr. Bellantoni discusses the details of prevention and talks about some of the latest news and research on osteoporosis. To listen to this podcast, click here.
Find out the answers and get other interesting tips on prevention and treatment in this podcast with Dr. Michelle Bellantoni from Johns Hopkins University. An expert in osteoporosis, Dr. Bellantoni discusses the details of prevention and talks about some of the latest news and research on osteoporosis. To listen to this podcast, click here.
Press Release
Experts Call for Investing in Longevity Science
With the nation’s economy uppermost in many Americans’ minds,
the Alliance for Aging Research explores the economic benefits from increased investment in
longevity science in its most recent podcast series. The podcast series is part of the Alliance’s
SAGE Crossroads website, a forum that explores emerging issues of human aging and
longevity.
the Alliance for Aging Research explores the economic benefits from increased investment in
longevity science in its most recent podcast series. The podcast series is part of the Alliance’s
SAGE Crossroads website, a forum that explores emerging issues of human aging and
longevity.
Alliance Views
Caring for an Aging America: Moving from Study to action
In April the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its latest report and recommendations about what needs to be done to build the health care workforce to care for an aging population. The report, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce, provides a snapshot of the health care challenges posed by elderly patients living with multiple chronic conditions, and highlights the increasingly complex health needs of this rapidly aging population and the inability of the nation’s current health care workforce to meet these needs.
Get Mad Column
Investing for Falls Prevention
Falls are a menace to older adults and our overstrained health care system. The direct medical costs of falls among older adults now total more than $19 billion, most of which must be absorbed by Medicare and Medicaid. A new bill recently passed by Congress seeks to address the problem of falls, but will have little impact without adequate funding.
Living Legend
Michael Debakey: Renaissance Man of Medicine
In April 2008, the renowned surgeon Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., joined a very exclusive society. Under the imposing dome of the Capitol Rotunda, President Bush presented DeBakey with the nation’s highest civilian honor—the Congressional Gold Medal—whose past recipients include George Washington, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, and Jonas Salk. DeBakey, who will be 100 years old on September 7, 2008, was characteristically articulate and forward-thinking in his acceptance remarks, urging his audience to pursue health care reform.
Feature Article
Helping Alzheimer's Caregivers Take Care of Their Own Health
The role of caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful one. Caring for someone with a memory-related disease is more stressful than helping someone with a physical injury. Due to the demands of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, caregivers tend to neglect their own health care and well-being. One study shows that up to 47 percent of family caregivers experience depression, but with the right resources, caregivers can successfully balance their time and provide the care their loved ones need.
Science in the Spotlight
Inhibiting Key Enzyme Blocks Heart Muscle Cell Death
Exciting findings reported in the May 2 issue of Cell ratchet up interest in an enzyme known as CaM kinase as a potential target for therapy in the treatment of heart disease.
Press Release
Alliance Develops Osteoporosis Tool for Health Professionals
In recognition of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, the Alliance for Aging Research released an osteoporosis prevention and treatment clipboard tool. The user-friendly tool is designed to assist health care professionals in determining the best management plan for all patients who are at risk for or have osteoporosis, as well as facilitate important conversations about bone health. The tool provides current information on osteoporosis prevention and treatment and incorporates the latest clinical recommendations from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Brochure, Fact Sheet
Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment: Algorithm and Resources for Health Care Professionals
This laminated clipboard tool is an easy-to-use, go-to resource for physicians and other health care professionals. The tool includes treatment guidelines, a chart of FDA-approved osteoporosis medications, and tips on discussing prevention and risk factor reduction with patients. The treatment algorithm provides step-by-step diagnostic and treatment instructions based on a person's age, gender, and health status.
Document
Key Phone Numbers Worksheet
A support network can help you accomplish your tasks as a caregiver by offering physical and emotional assistance. Look for support through family, friends, and the community. Use this worksheet to record these key contacts as well as those from your loved one's health care team.
Document
Clinical Trial Worksheet
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are drugs that may improve or stabilize symptoms. New drugs are also under development that offer hope for Alzheimer's patients, and clinical trials test whether these treatments are safe and effective. If you haven't already, you may want to consider enrolling your loved one in a clinical trial. This worksheet is a log that can help you keep track of clinical trials that you find.
Document
Financial & Legal Checklist
By starting the financial and legal planning process now, you can make sure that your loved one is cared for as their disease progresses. It's important for you to start this process early, because Alzheimer's disease will gradually make it harder for your loved one to participate in planning. Use this checklist to get you started.
Document
Home Safety Checklist
Alzheimer's disease progresses differently in everyone, but eventually it will affect your loved one's independence. The typical home environment may become unfamiliar and dangerous, but there are steps you can take to make the home less stressful. Use this checklist to make sure that your loved one's residence is safe.
Document
My Personal Schedule Worksheet
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one will need more and more care. While you may feel that you don't have time to think about yourself, it is important to remember your own health and well-being. By exercising, thinking about your health, and giving yourself time to relax, you will stay healthier and be able to spend more time with your loved one. Use this log to keep track of health care appointments, your exercise schedule, social engagements, etc.
Document
Medication List Worksheet
Your loved one may take many medications for Alzheimer's disease and other health conditions. Keeping track of them helps the health care team make sure the medications are working well together, and find possible drug interactions. You can use this medication list worksheet to keep all of the information about your loved one's medications in one place.
Document
Health Care Appointment Worksheet
Taking your loved one to health care appointments may become difficult at times. If you prepare for appointments by writing down questions and scheduling the appointments at a good time for your loved one, you can make sure that the appointment goes as smoothly as possible. Use this worksheet to record information about the appointment so that it's all in one place.
Document
Health Journal Worksheet
It's useful to keep a health journal so you can ensure that your loved one's health care team is able to provide the best care possible. By keeping track of day-to-day health information that only you may observe, you can provide valuable information to your loved one's health care team. A journal also makes it easy to record information about Alzheimer's disease and other conditions your loved one may have, so you can make the most of your time at appointments and be sure not to forget anything.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Caregiver Workbook
This caregiver workbook provides the information, resources, and tools that caregivers need to develop personalized action plans and to take better care of their loved ones and themselves. The workbook includes worksheets, checklists, and other tools on important issues such as making your home safe, dealing with financial planning, and keeping a health journal.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Caregiver Resources
As a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, you have a lot on your plate. There's so much to learn about, so much to plan, and so much to worry about. This guide provides some of the many resources that can help you take care of your loved one, as well as yourself.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Leader's Guide
This leader's guide helps facilitate a workshop to educate family caregivers on how to best care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease while also taking care of themselves. This is an updated version of the Leader's Guide and includes the latest information on treatments and research.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Workshop Kit
This kit includes all of the resources necessary to conduct a workshop for caregivers of those recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It is an updated version of the Alliance's award-winning kit from 2006 and includes additional information on treatment and research, as well as a brand new caregiver workbook.
Alliance in the News
Crisis of age requires cure
April 5, 2008
| Financial Times
Related topics: Aging Research Caregiving Geriatric Training Quality of Care
Related topics: Aging Research Caregiving Geriatric Training Quality of Care
"Funding geriatric medicine is just one area where philanthropy can make a big difference. To achieve wider impact, however, ageing needs to move from an orphan to a mainstream issue. More big funders also need to emerge as Atlantic and Reynolds are limited-life foundations, spending themselves out of business."
“The population numbers clearly point to older patients dominating the healthcare delivery in the US and most of the developed world but we have been rather phobic about geriatrics, geriatric medicine and ageing,” says Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Read the StoryPress Release
New Tools Boost Alzheimer's Awareness
With the aging of the population, experts warn that Alzheimer’s disease
will reach epidemic proportions by mid-century, creating massive and unsustainable burdens
in terms of health care costs, overwhelmed families, and millions of lives tragically lost to a
devastating disease.
will reach epidemic proportions by mid-century, creating massive and unsustainable burdens
in terms of health care costs, overwhelmed families, and millions of lives tragically lost to a
devastating disease.
Press Release
Alliance Offers Resource on Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In order to further educate Americans about age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the Alliance for Aging Research has updated its popular brochure, Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The new brochure provides the latest information on AMD risk factors, prevention and detection of vision loss, and the importance of early diagnosis. The brochure includes the Amsler Grid—a convenient tool that can detect changes in vision due to AMD.
Fact Sheet
A Quick Look At Alzheimer's- Outreach Partners
The following organizations are helping promote A QUICK LOOK AT ALZHEIMER'S: Four 'Pocket' Films to Increase Understanding of a 21st Century Epidemic.
Alliance Views
Stopping Alzheimer's: What Can You Do
With the aging of the population, experts warn that Alzheimer’s disease will reach epidemic proportions by mid-century, creating massive and unsustainable burdens in terms of health care costs, overwhelmed families, and millions of lives tragically lost to a devastating disease.
Get Mad Column
Senior's Oral Health Care: Nothing to Smile About
Oral health is important to the overall well-being of older Americans. Preventive dental care can head off more expensive dental work and help prevent severe diseases. Unfortunately, dental costs are primarily out-of-pocket for those over 65, and when financially strapped, they may forego regular visits to the dentist. This decision to “do without” can have serious consequences, because the elderly suffer a disproportionate and debilitating amount of oral disease. The facts:
Living Legend
The Prophet of Fitness: Jack LaLanne at 93
Say “Jack LaLanne” and most Americans over 30 will remember a dark-haired fellow, in a blue jumpsuit and impressively-muscled arms, on TV. He was performing leg lifts, or one-arm push-ups on his fingertips, and urging you to do the same. Broadcast from 1951 to 1985, The Jack LaLanne Show was the first exercise program on television.
Science in the Spotlight
Neurogenesis Plays Key Role in Learning and Memory--Salk Scientists Find
Not long ago, the suggestion that old brains could grow new nerve cells – or neurons – was unthinkable among neurologists. Today, however, we know that neural stem cells are indeed capable of growing new neurons throughout life. This process is called neurogenesis, which literally means “the birth of new neurons.” Precisely how nerve stem cells function and how they are regulated, however, have remained something of a mystery until recently.
Feature Article
Tools to Help Women Take Charge of Their Bone Health
Osteoporosis, also known as porous bone disease, is a silent disease; often the first symptom is a broken bone. It poses a serious risk to older, post-menopausal women, although men can develop the disease also. Ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and 34 million suffer from osteopenia or low bone mass, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. The aging of the baby boomer generation will boost these numbers to 52 million by 2010.
DVD
A Quick Look at Alzheimer's: Four Pocket Films to Increase Understanding of a 21st Century Epidemic
These four short animated films explain the essence of the disease and its public health implications. They are designed to increase understanding in order to reduce stigma, improve care and help strengthen the public fight against this challenging disease.
The films are tools to help a wide variety of individuals understand and explain the disease: doctors, nurses, caregivers, family members, social workers, public health advocates, scientists, judges, attorneys and teachers. They can be viewed anywhere at anytime: a doctor's office, a Congressional hallway, a family living room. Anywhere a person can ask questions about Alzheimer's disease, here are some answers.
The films are made possible by a grant from MetLife Foundation.
The films are tools to help a wide variety of individuals understand and explain the disease: doctors, nurses, caregivers, family members, social workers, public health advocates, scientists, judges, attorneys and teachers. They can be viewed anywhere at anytime: a doctor's office, a Congressional hallway, a family living room. Anywhere a person can ask questions about Alzheimer's disease, here are some answers.
The films are made possible by a grant from MetLife Foundation.
Press Release
Alliance Unveils Resource about Bone Disease
The Alliance for Aging Research has developed a new resource to educate women about osteoporosis, also known as porous bone disease. The kit includes a leader's guide, an educational video and patient brochures and is designed to assist community groups in hosting workshops to educate older adults about the disease.
Alliance Views
Chronic Disease: An Election Issue
With the first 2008 presidential primaries now mere weeks away, issues important to all Americans are gaining momentum in the national dialogue. As voters evaluate the candidates vying for their support, they must decide who best addresses their priorities and concerns.
Get Mad Column
Taking Delirium Seriously
For more than one in five patients over 65, hospital stays are complicated by frightening bouts of confusion known as delirium.
Living Legend
Joe Ichiuji: Preserving the Legacy of Japanese-American Veterans
Eighty-eight year old Joe Ichiuji knows firsthand how easily freedom is lost. In 1941 shortly after Joe was drafted and had completed basic training, the U.S. government moved 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps. Even though many were American citizens, they were suspected of being disloyal. “I was told, ‘You’ve been discharged.’ Because of my Japanese ancestry they thought I was unfit for service.”
Science in the Spotlight
Treatment Advances Help Diabetics Better Manage the Disease Yet More Research is Needed
If you don’t know someone with diabetes, chances are that you will sometime soon. Even as the prevalence of other chronic diseases slows, this serious condition is exploding as the population grows older, heavier and more sedentary.
Feature Article
Better Treatments Sought for Neurological Diseases
William Shakespeare famously described life’s seven stages, none of them in especially happy terms. The final stage of old age is “second childishness and mere oblivion/Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
Brochure
Standing Strong:Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis - Workshop Materials
In order to educate women recently diagnosed or at risk for osteoporosis about the disease, the Alliance for Aging Research created this workshop kit. The kits assist community and health groups in hosting workshops that teach women how to best manage their prevention and/or treatment, and empower them to communicate with their doctor.
Brochure
Standing Strong:Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis - Leader's Guide
This leader's guide helps facilitate a workshop conducted by health care leaders, community outreach coordinators, etc.; and is aimed at women recently diagnosed with or at risk for osteoporosis. The workshop is designed to give participants a greater understanding of osteoporosis, its risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. The information helps women to best manage the prevention and/or treatment of this disease, and empowers them to communicate with their doctor. This leader's guide may also be purchased as part of the larger Standing Strong: Preventing & Treating Osteoporosis - Workshop Kit.
Brochure
Standing Strong: Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis
This brochure provides information on standing strong against an osteoporosis diagnosis including:
- Knowing your risk factors,
- Staying strong through prevention,
- Taking charge through diagnosis,
- Fighting back through treatment, and
- Being your own health advocate by learning more.
Report
2007 Annual Report
"20 Years of Progress - Imagine What's Next" is the theme of the Alliance for Aging Research's 2007 Annual Report.
Alliance in the News
Senior Health Care Issues
November 7, 2007
| Hosted by Congressman Tom Latham
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease
Congressman Latham host a roundtable disucssion with experts on senior health care issues focusing on aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Alliance in the News
U.S. Rep. Latham: Iowans have access to cutting edge research on aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Iowa Congressman Latham shares his family's personal story of caring for his father as he graudally succumbed to Alzheimer's disease on the latest edition of his public affairs program, The Congressional Report.
Document
The Burden and Future Implications ofAdult Visual Disorders in the United States
In an Alliance for Aging Research, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) joint briefing, David Rein, PhD, presented on the current economic burden of vision loss and the potential future impact. His slides are available here.
Document
Age-Related Maculopathy:What it is, what we know, what we need to learn
In an Alliance for Aging Research, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR briefing, Dr. Michael Gorin presented on age-related maculopathy, an eye disease that affects millions of Americans. His presentation slides are available here.
Document
Future Perspectives on Diabetes: What can we do for seniors?
In the last of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of medical innovation, Dr. William Rowley of The Institute for Alternative Futures, presented on Future Perspectives of Diabetes. His presentation slides are available here.
Document
The Burden of Diabetes and the Promise of Biomedical Research
In the last of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of medical innovation, Dr. John Anderson of the American Diabetes Association's National Advocacy Committee, presented on The Burden of Diabetes and the Promise of Biomedical Research. His presentation slides are available here.
Press Release
Alliance Offers Online Resources for Healthy Aging and Longevity
The Alliance for Aging Research has launched a new and improved website, www.agingresearch.org, with a fresh new look, easier navigation, and new features that will help people stay informed about the latest information related to healthy aging and longevity.
Press Release
Resource Highlights Age-Related Eye Disease and Value of Innovation
The Alliance for Aging Research, in partnership with the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR), released a new volume of The Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation dedicated to age-related eye disease--The Silver Book®: Vision Loss. This volume was released at a Capitol Hill Briefing during Worldwide Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Week. The briefing was held in conjunction with AMD Alliance International, the Congressional Vision Caucus, and Prevent Blindness America.
Press Release
Alliance Honors Senators T. Cochran, K. Conrad; FDA's J. Woodcock
The Alliance for Aging Research, a non-profit organization that promotes scientific and medical research for healthier aging, honored Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Dr. Janet Woodcock of the Food and Drug Administration with awards for advancing healthy aging through research. The Alliance presented the awards at its 14th Annual Bipartisan Congressional Awards Dinner on September 18, 2007, at the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel in Washington, DC.
Document
Research Advances in Neurodegenerative Diseases
In the third of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic diseases and the promise of medical innovation, Dr. Growdon presented on Research Advances in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Alzheimer & Parkinson. His presentation slides are available here.
Document
The Societal Burden of Alzheimer's Disease
In the third of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of medical innovation, Jennifer Zeitzer of the Alzheimer's Association presented on The Societal Burden of Alzheimer's Disease. Her presentation slides are available here.
Report
The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Vision Loss
The Silver Book is a unique almanac of references that the Alliance has compiled to spotlight the impact of chronic disease on our aging population and health care system, and the significant impact medical breakthroughs will have on future health care use and expenditures. The Vision Loss Volume looks at vision loss generally, and highlights data on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma--which along with cataract are the eye diseases that disproportionately affect older Americans.
Alliance in the News
Medical curiosity? Not in this age
Centenarians the fastest-growing segment of the population.
Living Legend
Sally Gordon: Work Ethic Drives Her to Take on New Roles
Fall 2007
For 24 years Sally Gordon has served as Nebraska’s first woman Sergeant at Arms. At age 98, she has no plans on stopping.
“As long as I’m in good health, and I can continue to do this, I will,” she said.
Science in the Spotlight
Progress in Fighting Eye Disease
The human eye is a complex marvel of biology. Specialized cells take in light, parse it into electrical signals, and transmit them to the part of the brain that reassembles the information into images, motion, color, and depth.
Alliance Views
Building "Elder Friendly" Communities
It is no secret that America’s population is aging at a rapid rate. As the Baby Boomers grow older, the United States will be faced with a daunting demographic shift: by 2030, it is estimated that persons over the age of 65 will represent 20% of the population of the United States, some 71.5 million Americans.
Feature Article
The Eyes Have It
Every day, our eyes enable us to respond to the smiles on our children’s faces, perform our daily tasks at work, watch our paths for obstacles, and even drive wherever we need to go.
Unfortunately, for many of us aging can make these everyday moments more difficult. Diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts can gradually rob us of a precious way that we interact with the world. As seeing becomes more of a strain, we can become less productive and independent, less safe, and increasingly out-of-touch with the world around us.
Get Mad Column
The High Cost of Eye Disease
As our population ages, the impact of eye disease on our economy will continue to grow, yet new research and treatments hold great promise to blunt the cost and improve patients’ lives.
Press Release
Alliance for Aging Research Wins Two Mature Media Awards
August 8, 2007
The Alliance for Aging Research was a winner in the 16th annual National Mature Media Awards Program, receiving a silver award for the Alzheimer’s Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One workshop kit and a merit award for the 2006 Annual Report.
Alliance Views
Where We Stand on Therapeutic Cloning - And Why
Spring 2002
The Alliance for Aging Research believes all attempts to clone a human being are dangerous, unethical and wrong at this time. We believe just as strongly that, with appropriate guidelines, U.S. scientists should have the freedom to clone stem cells in laboratory dishes in an attempt to cure serious and life-threatening diseases.
Get Mad Column
20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Winter 2002
Medical errors are one of the Nation's leading causes of death and injury. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS.
Alliance Views
The Importance of Aging Research
Fall 2004
Consider this: In the year 1902, if it had been somehow possible to gather together everyone in America who had reached the age of 85 or older, that population would have scarcely made up a single Zip Code in today's Sun Belt. Today, the numbers of people age 85 and above, about 5 million Americans, will increase four-fold with the aging of the Baby Boom. People aged 100 or more - currently some 70,000 - will increase 10 times before we are halfway through this century. This demographic tsunami will affect every institution and every community, and will touch all of us personally.
Living Legend
Dr. Edward Keller: The Write Stuff
Fall 2004
Syrup sandwiches, homemade cottage cheese, sod houses, good times and bad - those are the things of which stories are made
Living Legend
Bernice Gorell, The Polish Lady on Pulaski
Winter 2005
Bernice Gorell recently missed a couple of days of work. The 93-year-old had cataract surgery on a Thursday and didn’t go back into her office until ... Monday.
Feature Article
Caught in the Act of Leading
Winter 2005
Scientists searching for a way to delay the aging process may have found it in an intervention that many Americans battle with again and again—cutting calories. When used as a lifestyle choice, calorie restriction yields a significantly healthier and prolonged life.
Alliance Views
Medical Innovation: A Long-Term Vision
Spring 2006
As the first members of the Baby Boom generation turn 60, a national dialogue is gaining momentum concerning the impact that our exploding senior demographics will have on our already over-burdened health care system. Our society is aging, living longer, and facing a new challenge of unprecedented levels of chronic disease. The public and policymakers are understandably worried about soaring health care costs and what the future will bring.
Alliance Views
Imagine What's Next — In Pursuit of the Longevity Dividend
Fall 2006
This month the Alliance for Aging Research celebrates the 20th anniversary of our founding as a not-for-profit organization working to increase support for research to extend the healthy years of life. Twenty years ago, the science of aging was at the bottom of medical research priorities and lacked prestige as an academic discipline. Of the 11 federal health research institutes at the time, the National Institute of Aging ranked 10th in terms of budget and only a handful of scientists around the world were engaged in aging research. Over the past two decades, aging research has gained respect and prominence, yet much remains to be done.
Science in the Spotlight
Personalized Medicine Takes a Bow
Fall 2006
In 1953, an American biochemist and a British physicist working together in Cambridge, England, identified the structure of DNA — the molecule of life — which passes genetic information from one generation to another. This discovery has unleashed an explosion of knowledge over the last half-century leading directly to the Human Genome Project and to the promise of personalized medicine.
Get Mad Column
Don't Outsource Stem-Cell Research
Fall 2006
In July 2006, President George W. Bush used the first veto of his presidency to block a Congressional bill that would have lifted his 2001 ban on federal funding for most stem-cell research. In vetoing this legislation, Bush defied a bipartisan effort in Congress and the wishes of a majority of the American public. Nearly three-quarters of Americans support embryonic stem cell research, according to a May 2006 poll conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation.
Feature Article
Heart Disease: About Women, About You
Fall 2006
More and more women are becoming aware of the dangers of heart disease. Unfortunately, too many still believe that only men need to be concerned about their hearts. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of American women, making it about women, and about you.
Living Legend
Professor Robert W. Fogel: A New Kind Of Historian
Fall 2006
A startling change in the human species has taken place over the past 100 years, according to Nobel Laureate Robert W. Fogel, director of the Center for Population Economics and a professor in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago. Fogel and his colleagues have found that people in industrialized countries are taller, heavier, and living dramatically longer than they did a century ago. In 1900, only 13 percent of 65-year-olds would live to 85. Today, nearly half will live that long. Moreover, chronic ailments like heart disease, lung disease and arthritis occur 10 to 25 years later in individuals today.
Feature Article
The 15-Year Forecast for Aging!
Winter 2001
Countless discoveries made in the 20th Century have benefited us in ways too numerous to count - our longevity being but one of the many, with about 30 years added to our life spans since 1900.
The recent tools of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology have many believing we are on the threshold of finding cures for devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Get Mad Column
CMS Should Maintain Focus on Prevention
Winter 2006
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and related programs, to ensure that beneficiaries are aware of health care services and that these services are accessible. CMS' mission includes a commitment to policies and actions that promote efficiency and quality in health care delivery.
Alliance Views
Increased Funding Critical to FDA's Success
Winter 2006
As the nation's foremost consumer protection agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (FDA) serves a critical role, safeguarding not only prescription and non-prescription drugs, but also medical devices, dietary supplements, animal drugs and feeds, and the nation's food supply.
Feature Article
Innovation Helps Cancer Patients Live Longer
Winter 2006
New drugs and other treatments for cancer are helping more Americans survive the disease, even as it affects an increasing number of people, a trio of experts said at a briefing in Washington, D.C., in October.
Living Legend
Ruth Colley - Re-living a Dream: Going for the Gold
Winter 2006
Seven years ago, Ruth Colley had the opportunity to re-live her dream when Olympic gold medalist Frank Havens invited her to compete in the 1998 Nike World Masters Games. Colley was the first American woman to qualify for the United States Olympic Kayak team for the 1952 Helsinki games. Unfortunately, because she was the only woman to qualify for the 10-person team, she never got the opportunity to compete.
Science in the Spotlight
Steps to Brain Fitness
Winter 2006
There is a lot we can do to keep our brains healthy and potentially prevent or lessen the cognitive decline that often comes with aging. The Alliance for Aging Research and the Brain Resource Company have teamed up to bring information and resources on brain health to the public and to provide the WebNeuro test, a cognitive assessment that can be taken on personal computers, free to the first one million users.*
Living Legend
Clifford Ashley: World Traveler Continues His Adventures in the Classroom
Spring 2007
At age 85, Clifford Ashley continues to lead an active lifestyle, which he attributes in large part to his work with kids. Working as a substitute teacher for the past eight years in Lake Placid, N.Y., Ashley teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Whether substituting as a first grade teacher in computer class, or calculus for seniors, to any other subject imaginable, Ashley has no problem keeping up.
Science in the Spotlight
Folic Acid: Boost for your Brain?
Spring 2007
Want to boost your memory and brain power? Eat more strawberries and asparagus. Both are good sources of folic acid, a vitamin that improved memory and cognition in healthy adults 50-70 years old, according to a study reported in the medical journal Lancet (Jan. 20, 2006).
Alliance Views
High Quality Health Care from Home
Spring 2007
Living with chronic illness is time-consuming and costly. Frequent (or unnecessary) trips to the doctor's office or emergency room take a toll, not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well. With an aging population and chronic diseases on the rise, the ability of the health care system to effectively cope is threatened. But a promising new technology can ease the burden on both health care facilities and patients and improve the quality of life for elderly Americans living with conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Feature Article
A Different Kind of 'Food Pyramid' for Better Health
Spring 2007
A food that grants youth and immortality is an ancient dream celebrated in myth. The Greek gods ate ambrosia, which conferred grace or immortality. To stay young forever, the Norse gods ate the golden apples of Idun.
Now in the 21st century, science tells us that a healthy diet is important to insuring a long and healthy life. But just what makes for a healthy diet? We are inundated by conflicting nutritional advice.
Alliance in the News
Train your brain
Memory problems of aging can be lessened or prevented with mental workouts, diet and exercise.
Read the Story
Read the Story
Get Mad Column
Make Health IT a National Priority
Spring 2007
Clinical trials - the current gold standard for testing the effectiveness and safety of various drugs and medical treatments - are often performed on young, low-risk subjects, making their relevance questionable for a growing population of older patients living with multiple chronic conditions.
Press Release
Alliance Commends Senate Committee for Increase in FDA Funding
The Alliance for Aging Research today commends the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for including a $186 million increase for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill. This increase over the Agency’s Fiscal Year 2007 funding level will begin to reverse the budget shortfalls it has experienced in recent years.
Alliance in the News
Is Nevada ready for the aging boom? It's coming quickly
Alliance in the News
Filling the needs of older patients
Alliance in the News
The Right Cure for Ailing Elder Care?
Living Legend
A Labor of Love - Ruth Lubic
Summer 2007
Innovative, determined and passionate are words that best describe Ruth Lubic, who at age 80, continues to be an outspoken advocate for women and families, particularly the poor. A nurse-midwife for 45 years, she is recognized as a national leader in promoting an intimate, "low tech, high touch" approach to childbirth.
Get Mad Column
Caring for Caregivers
Chronic illness takes its toll in many ways, including decreased quality of life and increased mortality. But while the suffering of patients is well known, the effect such illness has on caregivers can be just as crippling, and even deadly.
Alliance Views
Manage Your Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications can be an effective and relatively inexpensive way to reduce pain, get a good night’s sleep, and be more productive. But because they’re available easily without a prescription, many people may mistakenly believe that taking them contains no risk.
Science in the Spotlight
The Secrets of Eating for Your Age
Mom’s advice to eat your vegetables and get a well-rounded diet doesn’t get any less relevant as you get older. As you age, eating right continues to play a vital role in whether or not you will enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. However, eating right for your age may mean making some adjustments in your eating habits.
Feature Article
Keeping Up the Fight Against Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a classic “good news, bad news” story. Although improved treatments have led to lower death rates, an aging and overweight population poses challenges for the U.S. health care system, experts said at a recent briefing in Washington, D.C.
Report
Gray is the New Gold: Longevity Science and the Flourishing Aging Society
Vigorous Seniors Good for Economy, Social Security, Says New KLRI Report
What are the latest developments in longevity research and why are they important to society and national policy? Alliance Executive Director Daniel Perry is among the experts cited in this new report, which explains the need for and benefits of aging research. Read the Kronos Longevity Research Institute's new report, Gray Is the New Gold: Longevity Science and the Flourishing Aging Society, available on the KLRI website.
What are the latest developments in longevity research and why are they important to society and national policy? Alliance Executive Director Daniel Perry is among the experts cited in this new report, which explains the need for and benefits of aging research. Read the Kronos Longevity Research Institute's new report, Gray Is the New Gold: Longevity Science and the Flourishing Aging Society, available on the KLRI website.
Alliance in the News
Analysis: A fast track for Alzheimer's?
Press Kit
Alliance Press Kit
2007
This press kit provides background information on the Alliance.
Press Release
National Campaign to Help Older Americans Manage Medicines
The Consumer Health Education Center (CHEC) is launching a national education campaign to help mature Americans better manage their health, specifically regarding the over-the-counter (OTC) medicines they take. There are more than 100,000 over-the-counter medicines on the market today and those aged 60 and over use more than one third of all OTCs purchased.
Report
2007 Task Force Report on Aging Research Funding
April 2007
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Prevention Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Prevention Stroke Vision Loss Women's Health
The 2007 Task Force on Aging Research Funding--more than 85 non-partisan disease groups, patient advocates, and foundations--urges Congress and the President to chart a better course for medical research on behalf of America's aging population. This year's report of the Task Force calls for a 6.7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2008. It also presents data on the burden of 27 diseases and conditions that predominately affect older Americans, highlights some of the exciting work the NIH is doing to decrease these burdens, and serves as a resource for policymakers working to establish the funding levels necessary to advance healthy aging.
Press Release
Alliance Launches Malnutrition Awareness Campaign
In an effort to increase awareness about malnutrition in older adults, the Alliance for Aging Research has launched a new campaign – Malnutrition & Seniors: A Hidden Threat. With support from Novartis Medical Nutrition, the Alliance is reaching out to physicians and consumers to educate them on the huge impact malnutrition can have on the health and independence of older Americans.
Testimony
Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for the National Institute on Aging:U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Daniel Perry of the Alliance for Aging Research, and Carol Schutz of the Gerontological Society of America, submitted this testimony on behalf of the Friends of the National Institute on Aging. The testimony called for a 6.7% overall increase for the National Institutes of Health for FY 2008 and additional resources for NIA in order to avoid continued cuts in existing grants and to sustain training and research opportunities for new investigators.
Document
Perry Biography
March 2007
Daniel P. Perry is Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Report
2006 Annual Report
2006 Annual Report
The 2006 Annual Report highlights the programs and activities of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Brochure
Malnutrition & Seniors: A Hidden Threat to Your Patients' Health
This brochure gives health care providers a tool for assessing the nutritional status of elderly patients, recommendations on developing an action plan for those patients identified as malnourished or at risk, and additional resources for patients.
Brochure
Nutrition & Aging Quiz:Discover the Secrets of Eating for Your Age
It's no surprise to hear that good nutrition makes for good health--warding off disease, giving you the energy to stay active, and keeping you mentally and physically fit. But you may not realize that as you age, your body's nutrient requirements changes. Take this quiz and learn the secrets of eating for your age and make sure you get the nutrients that can add vitality and years to your life.
Press Release
Congress Restores Funds for Geriatric Training
The Alliance for Aging Research today commended Congress for restoring funding of geriatric training programs in the current fiscal year, underscoring the critical link between appropriate training of health care professionals and quality care for growing numbers of older Americans.
Press Release
President's Budget Lacks Funds to Stem 'Silver Tsunami'
The Alliance for Aging Research today warned that the president’s proposed FY 2008 budget lacks sufficient funding to address the growing burden of age-related chronic diseases.
Document
Heart Disease and Innovation:The Potential and Promise
February 2007
| Raymond J. Gibbons, MD
In the second of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of medical innovation, Dr. Gibbons presented on Heart Disease and Innovation: The Potential and Promise. His presentation slides are available here.
Document
The Value of Antihypertensive Drugs:A Perspective on Medical Innovation
February 2007
| Genia Long
In the second of four briefings focused on chronic disease and the value of innvation, Genia Long, Vice President of Analysis Group Inc. presented on The Value of High Blood Pressure Drugs. Her presentation slides are available here.
Press Release
Resolve to Work Out Your Brain in the New Year
As we approach a new year, many people are making resolutions to take steps to improve their health. Based on a growing body of research that shows that you can improve your brain health, the Alliance for Aging Research encourages people to resolve to make brain health as important as physical fitness.
Press Release
Alliance Unveils Resource For Family Caregivers Of Alzheimer's Patients
The Alliance for Aging Research has partnered with the National Family Caregivers Association to develop a new resource to educate family caregivers on how to care for themselves while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. The resource kit is funded by a grant from MetLife Foundation and includes a leader's guide and DVD to assist community groups in hosting workshops for family caregivers.>
Press Release
Alliance Elects New Top Officers
November 28, 2006
The Alliance for Aging Research, which advances science and medical innovations for healthier aging in America, today named James E. Eden, a successful developer and operator of senior living communities, to be the group’s National Chairman. The 20-year-old not-for-profit organization also named Allan M. Fox, a prominent Washington, DC, attorney as National Vice Chairman.
Press Release
Individuals Encouraged to Learn More About Brain Health
The Alliance for Aging Research (the Alliance) and the Brain Resource Company (BRC)
launch their brain health education program and offer the BRC WebNeuro cognition test free beginning
Tuesday, November 14th – National Memory Awareness Day. The first one million users will receive the
cognition test free through the Alliance website at www.agingresearch.org.*
launch their brain health education program and offer the BRC WebNeuro cognition test free beginning
Tuesday, November 14th – National Memory Awareness Day. The first one million users will receive the
cognition test free through the Alliance website at www.agingresearch.org.*
Press Release
New Partnership to Promote Brain Health
The Alliance for Aging Research (The Alliance) and the Brain Resource Company
(BRC), announced today a new partnership to promote education and research in brain health. New research
has shown that while some aspects of general cognition decrease with age (for example, memory), other
processes improve with age (for example, emotion processing). The Alliance and BRC bring the BRC
WebNeuro test of general cognition and emotion function free to consumers.
(BRC), announced today a new partnership to promote education and research in brain health. New research
has shown that while some aspects of general cognition decrease with age (for example, memory), other
processes improve with age (for example, emotion processing). The Alliance and BRC bring the BRC
WebNeuro test of general cognition and emotion function free to consumers.
Press Release
Experts Highlight the Promise of Medical Research
A panel of experts gathered today on Capitol Hill to address the growing burden of chronic disease in an aging nation and the promise of medical research and innovation. The briefing, the first of four briefings hosted by the Alliance for Aging Research, focused on cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, this year cancer will affect 1.4 million individuals and cause 564,380 deaths.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Workshop Kit
In order to educate family caregivers on how to care for themselves while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alliance for Aging Research created this workshop kit. The workshop kits assist community groups in hosting workshops for family caregivers.
Brochure
La Enfermedad de Alzheimer: Ayudandote a Ayudar a un Ser Querido - Guia para Quienes Cuidan a Personas con la Enfermedad de Alzheimer
Como familiar y persona encargada de cuidar a alguien con la enfermedad de Alzheimer, tienes demasiadas tareas y mucho que hadar. Hay tanto por aprender, tantas cosas que planear, tantas preocupaciones. Por eso necesitas leer esta guia, no solamente por la persona a quien cuidas, si no ademas por ti mismo. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Leader's Guide
October 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's Health
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's Health
This leader's guide helps facilitate a workshop to educe family caregivers on how to best care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease while effectively taking care of their own needs. This guide will provide guidance to leaders (healthcare leaders, community outreach coordinators, etc.) for conducting the workshop.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Resources for Caregivers
October 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's Health
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's Health
As a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's disease, you have a lot on your plate. There's so much to learn about, so much to plan, so much to worry about. But you need to read this guide--not only for the person you're caring for, but for yourself. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit.
Brochure
Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Financial Checklist
October 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Women's Health
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Women's Health
Alzheimer's disease interferes with many daily life functions, including financial tasks. This can be frustrating for the person with Alzheimer's, and can have both short-term and long-term ramifications. This checklist will help you ensure that your loved one's financial matters are in check. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit.
Document
Oncology and Innovation: The Potential and Promise
October 2006
| Len Lichtenfeld, MD, FACP
In the first of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of innovation, Dr. Len Lichtenfeld presented Oncology and Innovation: The Potential and Promise. The presentation slides are available here.
Document
Pharmaceutical Innovation and Cancer Survival
October 2006
| Frank R. Lichtenberg
At the first of four briefings looking at the growing burden of chronic disease and the promise of innovation, Frank R. Lichtenberg presented The Economic Argument for Medical Innovation. The slides from his presentation are available here.
Press Release
Campaign to Increase Awareness about Heart Disease in Women
In an effort to improve awareness about heart disease in women, the Alliance for Aging Research has launched a new campaign, Heart Disease: About Women, About You. With support from Edwards Lifesciences, the Alliance is reaching out to physicians and consumers to inform them about critical knowledge gaps and encourage more physician-patient conversations about heart health.
Press Release
In Pursuit of the 'Longevity Dividend'
At an international gathering organized by the not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research, prominent scientists called for governments and health care organizations worldwide to invest in the extension of healthy human life in order to produce a "Longevity Dividend" for nations with aging populations.
Press Release
Alliance Bestows Awards at 20th Anniversary Dinner
The Alliance for Aging Research, a non-profit organization that promotes scientific and medical research, will honor Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Professor Robert W. Fogel for their efforts to achieve healthier aging. The Alliance will present the awards at its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner on September 12, 2006, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.
Brochure
Women’s Health Quiz: Heart Disease: About Women, About You
September 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Women's Health
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Women's Health
This brochure quizzes women on how much they know about heart disease and provides helpful tips on talking to health care providers about this important issue.
Document
Going for the Longevity Dividend:An International Perspective
View James Goodwin's presentation slides from the Alliance's event - Going for the Longevity Dividend: Scientific Goals for the World's Aging Populations
Document
Calorie Restriction Extends Life Span Universally
View Leonard Guarante's presentation slides from the Alliance's event - Going for the Longevity Dividend: Scientific Goals for the World's Aging Populations
Document
The Longevity Dividend:International Perspectives
View Alex Kalache's presentations slides from the Alliance's event - Going for the Longevity Dividend: Scientific Goals for the World's Aging Populations
Document
Beyond Technology:Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness
View Jay Olshansky's presentation slides from the Alliance's event - Going for the Longevity Dividend: Scientific Goals for the World's Aging Populations
Brochure
Women & Heart Disease: What They Need You to Tell Them - A Physician's Guide
September 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Women's Health
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Health Women's Health
This guide helps physicians learn more about starting a heart healthy conversation with their patients and attempts to bridge the awareness gaps about women and heart disease.
Science in the Spotlight
Understanding the Effects of Grapefruit Juice on Medications
For more than a decade, doctors have known that some compound in grapefruit juice interacts with a small number of drugs to triple the amount of that drug absorbed into the bloodstream.
Living Legend
Dr. Henry A. Essex: A Life of Service and Adventure
Veterans who meet Dr. Henry A. Essex at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Center in Providence, Rhode Island are fortunate to encounter a man who deeply understands them and their experiences.
Get Mad Column
Make Alzheimer's a National Priority
It’s a disease that is universally fatal; there is no cure at present; and one out of 10 people over 65 will be diagnosed with it.
Alliance Views
Preparing for the Silver Tsunami
Whenever you open a newspaper or magazine these days, you’re likely to find an article exhorting baby boomers to plan for retirement—telling them to save more, to learn about portfolio planning, and to project their financial needs for decades to come.
Feature Article
What Men Don't Know About Their Health And Aging Can Hurt Them
If you are a middle-aged or older man, do you assume that a decline in energy, low libido, moodiness, and weight gain are just part of “normal aging”?
Testimony
Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriations for the National Institute on Aging:U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Daniel Perry of the Alliance for Aging Research, and Carol Schutz of the Gerontological Society of America, submitted this testimony on behalf of the Friends of the National Institute on Aging. The testimony called for a 5% overall increase for the National Institutes of Health for FY 2007 and additional resources for NIA in order to avoid an 18% cut in existing grants and to sustain training and research opportunities for new investigators.
Press Release
Baby Boomer Attitudes on Alzheimer's Disease
As the first Baby Boomers
turn 60 this year, they are beginning to confront the consequences of growing older. A
new survey shows the majority of Boomers are anxious about how Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) will affect their health and quality of life.
turn 60 this year, they are beginning to confront the consequences of growing older. A
new survey shows the majority of Boomers are anxious about how Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) will affect their health and quality of life.
Press Release
What Men Don't Know About Their Health and Aging Can Hurt Them
A national survey released today indicates that one
third of American men over the age of 39 report experiencing two or more symptoms of low
testosterone (Low T), a condition that affects four to five million American males, marked by
decreased energy, low libido, reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, weaker bones, and
mood swings. The survey of 522 men over age 39, which was commissioned by the Alliance for
Aging Research and conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that of those men experiencing two
or more symptoms, 95 percent say their doctors did not mention Low T as a possible cause, even
though it is known that the condition can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
third of American men over the age of 39 report experiencing two or more symptoms of low
testosterone (Low T), a condition that affects four to five million American males, marked by
decreased energy, low libido, reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, weaker bones, and
mood swings. The survey of 522 men over age 39, which was commissioned by the Alliance for
Aging Research and conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that of those men experiencing two
or more symptoms, 95 percent say their doctors did not mention Low T as a possible cause, even
though it is known that the condition can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Feature Article
The Power of Tea
You’ve heard the news – drinking tea is good for your health. But did you know that tea may reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases, and that it may improve the health of your bones and teeth?
Fact Sheet
Low Testosterone - Men's Health Condition in the Shadows:Survey Highlights
In order to raise awareness about low testosterone, the Alliance commissioned a survey of over 522 American men over the age of 39. Harris Interactive conducted this on-line survey in January 2006. This fact sheet includes background information on low testosterone, as well as highlights from the survey.
Fact Sheet
Low Testosterone & Testosterone Replacement Therapy for the Aging Male
Read this fact sheet and learn about:
- Testosterone & its function as men age
- Symptoms of low testosterone
- Diagnosing low testosterone
- Testosterone replacement therapy
Fact Sheet
What Men Should Know About their Health
April 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Men's Health Osteoporosis
Related topics: Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Men's Health Osteoporosis
Men continue to struggle to manage many health concerns and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are among the leading causes of death in men over 40. Read this fact sheet and learn more about some of the leading health conditions facing men today.
Fact Sheet
Patient Checklist:Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Low Testosterone
Use this checklist of questions to help start a discussion with your doctor about low testosterone.
Press Release
Public Doesn't Realize How Vulnerable Seniors are to Chronic Diseases
March 30, 2006
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Cancer Diabetes Health Mental Health Other Diseases of Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Cancer Diabetes Health Mental Health Other Diseases of Aging Research
The Alliance for Aging Research reports that by age 65, nearly nine out of ten Americans will have at least one chronic condition; but a survey conducted this month by Roper/GfK finds that most people sorely underestimate that figure.
Science in the Spotlight
Ten Medical Innovations to Watch
Thanks to new medical innovations, every five years for the past 30 years, life expectancies have been extended by a year.
Living Legend
Bob Haldeman Believes in Wellness
At 65, Haldeman is an avid cyclist and competitor in the Senior Olympics and has been athletic and active his entire life.
Get Mad Column
Investing in NIH
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) predict that in the near future, doctors will have the ability to identify life-threatening diseases years before they strike and that new treatments for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are just years away from discovery.
Report
The Silver Book:Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation
March 2006
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Parkinson's Disease Research Stroke
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Federal Funding Health Medical Innovation Parkinson's Disease Research Stroke
The Silver Book is a unique almanac of references that the Alliance has compiled to spotlight the impact of chronic disease on our aging population and health care system, and the significant impact medical breakthroughs will have on future health care use and expenditures. Much of the information on this topic is buried in dense and detailed reports and peer-reviewed papers and is spread out amongst many important publications. The Silver Book brings together statistics and data culled from over 130 of these reports and articles, from more than 85 agencies, organizations, and experts. The information is presented in an easy-to-use format that we hope brings it to the fingertips of those shaping policy.
The Silver Book is also available on-line in a searchable database that is regularly updated. Visit The Silver Book On-line to find the latest data, download presentation slides, submit data, and find-out about Silver Book events.
The Silver Book is also available on-line in a searchable database that is regularly updated. Visit The Silver Book On-line to find the latest data, download presentation slides, submit data, and find-out about Silver Book events.
Document
In Pursuit of the Longevity Dividend
March 2006
| S. Jay Olshansky, Daniel Perry, Richard A. Miller, Robert N. Butler
Related topics: Longevity
Related topics: Longevity
"Imagine an intervention, such as a pill, that could significantly reduce your risk of cancer. Imagine an intervention that could reduce your risk of stroke, or dementia, or arthritis. Now imagine an intervention that does all of these things, and at the same time reduces your risk of everything else undesirable about growing older: including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, hip fractures, osteoporosis, sensory impairments, and sexual dysfunction. Such a pill may sound like fantasy, but aging interventions already do this in animal models. And many scientists believe that such an intervention is a realistically achievable goal for people. People already place a high value on both quality and length of life, which is why children are immunized against infectious diseases. In the same spirit, we suggest that a concerted effort to slow aging begin immediately - because it will save and extend lives, improve health, and create wealth."
Press Release
The Alliance Revokes Hwang's Indispensable Person of the Year Award
It is with great disappointment that the Alliance for Aging Research announces the revocation of the Indispensable Person of the Year Award bestowed upon Dr. Hwang Woo-Suk at the Alliance’s Annual Bi Partisan Congressional Award’s Dinner last September 13. This esteemed award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions as leaders for research and medical technology that improves the health and independence of all people as they grow older. Hwang was chosen as the 2005 recipient to honor his “path-breaking scientific accomplishments” in stem cell research, which have been revealed as fraudulent in recent weeks.
Science in the Spotlight
The Eyes Have It
Stem cells could hold the key to stopping and even reversing the blinding effects of aging, according to recent research.
Get Mad Column
Medical Errors: How Many is Too Many?
Potentially deadly mistakes continue to plague U.S. hospitals, according to a new report.
Report
The Science of Aging Gracefully:Scientists and the Public Talk About Aging Research
In cooperation with Public Agenda and The American Federation for Aging Research, the Alliance sponsored a survey of 49 leading scientists and 1,000 randomly sampled adults, in order to determine their understanding of, and expectations for, aging research. The scientists showed significant optimism for the research but at the same time, expressed concerns about limitations that could hamper the research including an austere funding climate, limited federal support for stem cell research, and a variety of bureacratic and structural impediments. Learn more about the survey results in this report.
Press Release
Caregivers Can Impact Disease Outcomes for Colon Cancer Patients
New research shows that colon cancer patients who are 65 and older may benefit from a caregivers involvement, and that caregivers may ultimately have a major impact on the patient’s disease management according to a survey of oncologists commissioned by the Alliance for Aging Research. Crossing Jordan star, Miguel Ferrer, who lost his father José Ferrer to colon cancer, is partnering with the Alliance for Aging Research to help educate colon cancer patients and caregivers about the importance of active involvement in the treatment of the disease.
Document
Colon Cancer - Caring for the Aging:Key Survey Findings
The Alliance commissioned a survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, that interviewed oncologists on the importance of caregivers for elderly colon cancer patients. 77% of physicians interviewed agreed that colon cancer patients 65 and older experience better disease outcomes when a caregiver is involved because of better communication. 81% also said that they depend on caregivers at least somewhat, and some a great deal, to act as an intermediary between them and the elderly patients. 100% fell the caregiver is part of a team involved in the patient's disease management.
The physicians felt that the primary roles of the caregivers are to provide emotional support, participate in doctor's visits and in disease management decisions, and to provide transportation to and from doctor's appointments. Unfortunately, only around three out of five colon cancer patients age 65 and older have the support of a caregiver.
The physicians felt that the primary roles of the caregivers are to provide emotional support, participate in doctor's visits and in disease management decisions, and to provide transportation to and from doctor's appointments. Unfortunately, only around three out of five colon cancer patients age 65 and older have the support of a caregiver.
Fact Sheet
Colon Cancer: Tips for Patients and Caregivers
Caregivers play an important role in ensuring that colon cancer patients age 65 and older receive the best possible care. One of the many important roles that a caregiver plays in treatment is facilitating communication with doctors and making sure the right questions get asked. Both caregivers and patients should read this Tip Sheet and take a proactive role in disease management.
Document
The Best Minds in the Business:SAGE Crossroads Trading Cards
November 2005
| Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Longevity Medical Innovation Research
Related topics: Aging Research Longevity Medical Innovation Research
Use the SAGE Expert Cards as a quick reference to some of the nation's leaders in the science of aging, research, and policy. The SAGE Expert Cards will introduce you to people who are shaping and influencing this exciting field and connect you with the important work that they are doing.
This first edition pack includes 50 cards. Each card includes a photograph, quick summary of the researcher's work, and essential information such as specialty and favorite gene.
This first edition pack includes 50 cards. Each card includes a photograph, quick summary of the researcher's work, and essential information such as specialty and favorite gene.
Science in the Spotlight
Living to 100 and Beyond
First-born daughters are three times more likely to survive to age 100 than their latter-born sisters; and first-born sons are twice as likely to become centenarians as those sons born fourth, fifth, or sixth in the family, according to a new study prepared for the Society of Actuaries (SOA).
Feature Article
Caregiver Involvement Leads to Better Cancer Outcomes
Those who have been diagnosed with colon cancer will tell you that the support of friends and relatives is invaluable.
Alliance Views
Longevity in the Short-Term
At the Alliance for Aging Research, we are committed to a vision of healthy longevity for millions of Americans, made possible through advances in science and technology.
Living Legend
Myrvin H. Ellestad, M.D.: Lifelong Learner
Around the world, the name Myrvin Ellestad is synonymous with groundbreaking work in cardiology.
Get Mad Column
National Institutes of Health Funding
It’s that time again, the annual struggle over funding for the National Institutes of Health.
Brochure
What's On Your Plate May Help Save Your Sight:Age-related Macular Degeneration
Learn how your diet and lifestyle can help you preserve your vision and protect against eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This exciting brochure teaches you how certain foods and behaviors can provide a good defense against vision-zapping eye disorders.
Science in the Spotlight
Learning More About Breast Cancer
Gatherings of breast cancer researchers have been surprisingly upbeat events lately, as scientists are beginning to feel that maybe - just maybe - they’re making some real progress toward understanding the disease.
Get Mad Column
Diseases in the Shadows
Walking. Driving. Working. Most of us take these activities for granted, but millions of elderly Americans do not because they cannot fully care for themselves.
Living Legend
Don Robertson: The Voice of Happy Retirement
As the “Voice of CBS Sports” for 25 years, Don Robertson used his exceptional vocal cords to make a living.
Alliance Views
Stem Cell Debate
President Bush will disagree, but the House of Representatives has handed him a gift for his second term: a chance to update his Administration’s stem cell policy in a way that would earn him bi-partisan praise for returning American scientists to the forefront of this fast-moving medical frontier.
Feature Article
The Family Healthcare CEO
Having a healthy family is so important to women, they give their family’s health more priority than their own.
Press Release
Experts Warn that Osteoporosis is Not a Priority
A panel of medical experts, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC) gathered today on Capitol Hill to examine the barriers that currently exist to proper prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, a disease that affects up to 44 million Americans. The event, “Breaking the Barriers to Better Health: Physician and Patient Communication about Osteoporosis," revealed that patients are not learning about prevention, are not being adequately diagnosed and, if diagnosed, are not staying with their treatment.
Fact Sheet
Test Your Bone Knowledge
Answer true/false questions and rate your knowledge of osteoporosis.
Brochure
Taking Charge of Osteoporosis: A Guide for Patients Understanding Osteoporosis
This helpful tool provides patients with the information they need to understand, prevent, and treat osteoporosis. It also provides helpful tips on how to talk to your patient about the disease, as well as important resources for finding more information.
Brochure
Talking With Your Patient About An Osteoporosis Diagnosis: A Physician’s Guide
This guide presents information and suggestions on helping physicians work with their patients to develop a workable plan for facing the challenges of living with osteoporosis. The materials include tips for talking with patients about the disease, sample conversations, and helpful resources to direct patients to for additional information.
Press Release
Alliance Website Receives Two Awards
The Alliance for Aging Research is the honorable recipient of two merit awards for its website from the 2004 World Wide Web Health Awards Program.
Science in the Spotlight
Tiny Tales
We are on the verge of a new age of discovery that would pique the curiosity of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein.
Get Mad Column
A Time to Commit
Despite scientific evidence that a cure for Parkinson’s disease could be near – perhaps no more than five years away – the National Institutes of Health was recently unable to initiate clinical trials to test four new Parkinson’s drugs.
Alliance Views
Barriers to Healthy Aging
Older Americans know how to maintain their health, but they see obstacles in the path to a healthy lifestyle.
Living Legend
Virgie Harris-Bovelle: A Life Full of Heart
Virgie Harris-Bovelle, 70, lives with an implanted defibrillator - a device that automatically shocks her heart out of an irregular rhythm.
Feature Article
Woman's Breaking Point
A new national survey reveals too many physicians misread or do not even ask about the fears of their osteoporosis patients and inferentially suggests this may be one more reason why many patients do not stick with their medications.
Press Release
Survey Shows Women Fear Losing Indepedence from Osteoporosis
A national survey released today highlights the
importance of doctors understanding their patients’ fears about osteoporosis and how those fears
can motivate them to take their medication. The majority of women (57 percent) with
osteoporosis who participated in the survey say that the desire to remain healthy and independent
is what motivates them to take an osteoporosis medication. Yet most doctors (74 percent) believe
the fear of breaking or fracturing a bone is what motivates their patients to treat this silent but
potentially debilitating condition.
Press Release
Health Leaders Gather To Honor Legendary Aging Research Advocate
The Alliance for Aging Research and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) yesterday honored Florence Stephenson Mahoney (1899-2002), one of the nation’s foremost advocates for health research and a pioneer in the development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), by dedicating a large open-air courtyard of the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center in her name.
Science in the Spotlight
The Secret Genes of Centenarians
If you have lived beyond the age of 100, countless people may ask you for your secret to long life.
Living Legend
Bill Wellington: The Return of the Ice Age
Bill Wellington has some pretty high praise for the doctor who performed his double hip replacement surgery, Dr. Patrick Caulfield of Bethesda, Maryland.
Get Mad Column
Champagne Wishes and Geriatric Dreams
Those inclined to celebrate the just-passed huge and historic expansion of Medicare should pause in their champagne toasts to consider this: most doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the U.S. receive almost no formal training in geriatrics, which seriously undermines the quality of care - especially safe prescription drug therapy - for America's seniors.
Alliance Views
First, Do No Harm to Basic Research
President Bush and the Republican Congress are on the verge of wreaking havoc upon on America's preeminent medical research system, at the same depriving themselves of a glowing political legacy.
Feature Article
Anti-Aging: Hype v. Reality
Very real remedies that will stop or reverse the aging process may ultimately be discovered, but for now, save your money to spend on a health club membership.
Press Release
Hutchinson, Baucus, and McClellan to Receive Awards
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), and Medicare Administrator, Dr. Mark McClellan will be saluted tonight for their support of medical research towards healthier aging at the Eleventh Annual Alliance for Aging Research Bipartisan Congressional Awards Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.
Science in the Spotlight
What You Should Know About BPH
As they get older, many men find themselves making more nightly trips to the bathroom. They may fear that this sort of problem is an unavoidable consequence of aging, or - worse - a sign that they have prostate cancer.
Get Mad Column
Every Vote Counts for Aging Issues
Americans' choice for president in 2004 will have a direct impact on the lives of seniors.
Press Release
Alliance Launches Age-Related Macular Degeneration Campaign
The Alliance for Aging Research, a not-for-profit organization, has launched a new campaign on a leading cause of vision loss in people over 60, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Brochure
Ten Facts About Depression
This fact sheet provides important information about elderly depression.
Brochure
How to Talk to Your Elderly Parent About Depression:A Guide for Caregivers
Depression in older adults is often dismissed as inevitable or a "normal" part of aging, when in fact depression is a treatable medical illness. This brochure outlines the signs of depression in older adults, offers advice on how to approach an older person if you notice these signs, and provides places to get more information.
Brochure
Raising the Index of Suspicion: Quick Questions to Ask Every Patient Over 65
The purpose of this assessment card for physicians is to help raise awareness of depression in older patients.
Document
Dealing with a Parent's Depression
This article shares the story of an older woman and her struggle with depression.
Document
Dealing with Depression in Later Life
This article shares the story of one women dealing with her older mother's depression.
Document
Diagnosis Depression
This article explains depression including symptoms, potential causes, and treatments. It also gives advice on getting help.
Science in the Spotlight
Here's to a Long, Long Life with Health, and Happiness, Too
If you could swallow a little yellow pill and live to be 120 years old, would you?
Alliance Views
Stem Cell Update
Patient advocates for a variety of debilitating and deadly diseases are banding together to step up research into stem cell science, which may hold very real hope for treatments or cures.
Feature Article
Atrial Fibrillation
Most of us are happy to make adjustments in our lives now if we know they may reduce our chances of developing health problems later.
Living Legend
John Young: Physically Active and Young at Heart
Retiring and taking it easy isn't a part of John Young's life plan.
Get Mad Column
Leadership, Commitment, Hope: The 21st Century Challenge
The 20th century witnessed amazing advances in human health and longevity thanks to public health measures and medical research breakthroughs.
Brochure
Don’t Get Blind-sided by Age-related Macular Degeneration
Learn about the causes of of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and ways you can protect your eyes.
Brochure
Beyond Diagnosis:Next Steps for People with AMD - Resource Guide for Physicians and Staff
This resource guide is designed to inform health professionals about the various services available to help patients with AMD. The resources include information on rehabilitation, financial assistance, support groups, research, and employment options.
Brochure
How to Better Help Your Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration:Facts for Effective and Efficient Care
This physician's guide provides helpful hints for treating patients with age-related macular degeneration. Topics include early detection, diagnosis, treatment, patient education, and more.
Press Release
Americans Not Making Stroke - Irregular Heartbeat Connection
A new survey released today by the not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research found that most Americans are unaware of one of the strongest risk factors for stroke
Science in the Spotlight
All Roads Lead to...Sardinia!?
A drug now in clinical trials for treatment of type 2 diabetes could eventually be used to promote longevity by treating or preventing major age-related diseases.
Get Mad Column
Detecting Depression Before It's Too Late
Spring may be a time of renewal, but it is also the peak suicide season, when the incidence of death rises with the warmer temperatures.
Feature Article
Do You Know Your Life Expectancy?
For those of you familiar with the Alliance for Aging Research website, you may have already experienced our most popular interactive feature…the "Living to 100" quiz, a tool that calculates your longevity potential.
Living Legend
Norman G. Anderson: The Scientific Explorer
At an age when most people are winding down, Norman G. Anderson can't stop working. He keeps inventing things.
Press Release
Do You Know Your Life-Expectancy!?
People age 100 or older are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. The newly updated “Living To 100” calculator can help still more people be at least centenarian-like and live well into their older years spending the majority of their lives in good health, according to the Alliance for Aging Research.
Press Release
Daniel Perry Named President of CAMR
Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, has been named president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR). CAMR leads the political fight in supporting therapeutic cloning and embryonic stem cell research. The organization has over 80 members representing nationally recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders.
Science in the Spotlight
Don't Be Such a Pain!
Pain is an unpleasant subject.
Living Legend
Frank Mankiewicz: 'Revolutionary' On the Inside
If you're a lobbyist for a well-known Washington, D.C., public relations firm, it pays to know people.
Get Mad Column
Respect Your Elders
We see them sometimes on the evening news-stories about another scam targeting the elderly or the discovery of an employee physically abusing residents of a long-term care facility.
Alliance Views
This Election's Unhealthy Debate Over Health Care
Political consultants this year advised candidates to turn the industry that researches and develops our medicines into a political punching bag.
Feature Article
The Costs of Being a Woman!
It's no secret that chronic illnesses are costly to treat.
Press Release
Alliance Commends NIH for New Medical Research Plan
The not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research today praised the new ational Institutes of Health plan that seeks to foster a scientific structure conducive to accelerating the rate of medical discoveries. NIH Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni presented the NIH “Roadmap” as a means to improve the research establishment in this nation.
Alliance Views
Advancing Quantity and Quality of Life
In the August 12th issue of the New York Times, writer Nicholas Kristof editorialized on what he sees as the ambiguous, and often rogue nature of aging research.
Get Mad Column
Ageism Part II: Prevention and Treatment for the Elderly
The perception of older Americans as frail, dependent, and isolated may be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Living Legend
Bob Hope: A Legend That Will Live On
Leslie Townes Hope worked as a shoe salesman, a stock boy, and even a boxer before he found his true calling.
Science in the Spotlight
Is Red Wine Flowing from the Fountain of Youth?
In the search for ways to lengthen the human lifespan and extend good health further into old age, scientists had until now found only one program that demonstrated real promise: severe calorie restriction.
Feature Article
Less Might Be More
If you have osteoarthritis, your least expensive option for treatment might also be the most effective.
Press Release
New Survey Shows Lack of Action on Skin Damage
The Alliance for Aging Research, a not-for-profit health advocacy organization, today released the findings of a new survey that showed 80 percent of women with age spots knew that sun was the cause, but an even greater number said they’d made no effort to alter their sun exposing behavior.
Press Release
Alliance Website and Webzine Receive Awards
Alliance for Aging Research website, www.agingresearch.org, and webzine, Living Longer and Loving It!, recently won three prestigious awards for online dedication to providing quality health information to aging Americans.
Press Release
Alliance for Aging Research Urges You to Take Control of Your Pain
The Alliance for Aging Research has a new tool for helping manage the aches and pains associated with growing older. Take Care of Yourself, Take Control of Your Pain gives an overview of how to recognize, understand, and safely treat pain. The free brochure provides the latest information, including advice from the American Geriatrics Society’s 2002 guidelines for controlling persistent pain in older people.
Science in the Spotlight
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The eyes are the first to go, the old adage says.
Living Legend
Dr. Marie- Louise Johnson: The Sensitive Skin Doctor
Dr. Kenneth Johnson has considered encouraging his wife to retire and step "out of the trenches," but he has abandoned the thought.
Alliance Views
Guiding Principles
To ensure that its work is consistent and productive, the Alliance has established the following set of five principles, or overarching goals, that guide all Alliance policy and advocacy initiatives:
Get Mad Column
It's a Matter of Ageism- Part 1
The perception of older Americans as frail, dependent, and isolated may be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Feature Article
Sun and Skin...An Unhealthy Partnership
After a long winter spent inside, many of us welcome the appearance of the sun and the return of warm weather.
Press Release
Alliance Exposes Widespread Ageism in U.S. Healthcare
Drawing upon scores of recent scientific studies, the non-profit Alliance for Aging Research issued a revealing report showing how systematic bias against the elderly hurts older patients in America. The report, Ageism: How Healthcare Fails the Elderly, was released today at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Testimony
Ageism in Healthcare Testimony:Senate Special Committee on Aging
Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, submitted testimony before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, highlighting a report How American Health Care Fails Older Americans.
Get Mad Column
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Cloning
Many of you have probably heard much of the dialogue in the cloning controversy.
Alliance Views
Operation NIH Funding
When you have brought the enemy to its knees, you do not turn tail and give up the fight.
Living Legend
Ruth Garner: The First Lady of Potsdam
Mayor Ruth Garner is rarely challenged in an election and when she is, she wins convincingly.
Science in the Spotlight
The Long and Short of It...The Age Link to Telomeres
The tiny "caps" that keep our chromosomes from fusing together are also providing clues that could eventually lead to the achievement of one our nation's most important public health goals: extending good health well into old age.
Feature Article
The Tough Decisions Behind Hormone Therapy
Women have relied on hormone therapy for decades to relieve symptoms of menopause.
Report
Redesigning Healthcare for an Aging Nation: A Congressional Forum Sponsored by the Alliance for Aging Research
This report, based on the transcripts of a Congressional forum on March 17, 2003, highlights the experts' opinions on how technological innovation is being used to meet the changing needs of the United States' healthcare system.
Learn more about discoveries in biomedical research and current policies and regulations that may help ensure that future public policy encourages a strong and robust medical research environment. With the impending age boom in 2010, our nation must have a healthcare system in place that is prepared for the millions of Americans who will be living with chronic diseases, and that is able to foster the development of future treatments to meet their needs.
Learn more about discoveries in biomedical research and current policies and regulations that may help ensure that future public policy encourages a strong and robust medical research environment. With the impending age boom in 2010, our nation must have a healthcare system in place that is prepared for the millions of Americans who will be living with chronic diseases, and that is able to foster the development of future treatments to meet their needs.
Report
Ageism: How Healthcare Fails the Elderly
Drawing upon scores of scientific studies, this important report shows how systemic bias against the elderly hurts older patients in the U.S.--highlighting ways in which the healthcare system fails older Americans. The report cites serious short-comings in medical training and prevention screening, and outlines treatment patterns that disadvantage older patients.
Press Release
Alliance Urges Congress to Act Quickly on the Passage of Cloning Bill
The Alliance for Aging Research today commended Senators Hatch (R-UT), Feinstein (D-CA), Specter (R-PA), Kennedy (D-MA) and Harkin (D-IA) for introducing the "Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003." The bill provides the greatest hope yet for patients suffering from life-threatening diseases by allowing promising medical research to discover cures, while forbidding the unethical act of cloning a human being.
Press Release
Focus on Options for Lowering Osteoarthritis Treatment Costs
Washington, DC; February 25, 2003 - At a time when older Americans are seeking ways to lower their health care costs, a leading aging organization has important advice for more than 20 million older Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA): Talk to your doctor about starting with those medications that experts say may be the most cost-effective.
Fact Sheet
Backgrounder: A Cost-Effective Approach to Treating Osteoarthritis (OA)
Learn about the cost of treating osteoarthritis, as well as the guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and the American Pain Society for cost-effective treatments.
Brochure
Making $ense of Arthritis Treatments: A How-to Guide for Talking to Your Doctor About Osteoarthritis
This guide provides information and questions on how to have a healthy dialogue with your doctor and receive the best and most cost-effective treatments for osteoarthritis.
Document
Making Sense of Arthritis Treatments: Osteoarthritis Pain Management Decision Tree for Doctors
This Decision Tree guides physicians on the appropriate treatment and management options when caring for older patients with osteoarthritis.
Brochure
Making Sense of Arthritis Treatments: Talking With Your Patients about Osteoarthritis
This guide provides advice to physicians on how to explain osteoarthritis, first-line treatments, and pharmacological therapies with their patients.
Alliance Views
A Look Back to the Future
When the Alliance For Aging Research was formed fifteen years ago, the country was not focused on the impact of the aging and how the health of the Baby Boomers will affect our economy and our overall society.
Science in the Spotlight
Advances for the New Millennium
There is a fine line in medical research between hope and realism.
Living Legend
Dr. Ray Crist: Probing Nature's Secrets
Dr. Ray Crist's life has come full circle. His boyhood fascination with nature on a Pennsylvania farm eventually led to his pivotal role in the birth of the atomic age.
Feature Article
Seniors and Supplements- Risks vs. Rewards
Echinacea, St. John's wort, valerian-these exotic dietary supplements are becoming household names in a society eager to maintain its youthful vigor.
Press Release
Ohio Press Release- Healthcare Expectations and Cost Survey
WASHINGTON-Ohioans have great expectations to live long, healthy lives and are willing to pay more for new medicines and medical treatments that will keep them out of nursing homes, according to a new survey released today by the not for profit Alliance for Aging Research.
Press Release
Pennsylvania Press Release- Healthcare Expectations and Cost Survey
Pennsylvanians have great expectations to live long, healthy lives and are willing to pay more for new medicines and medical treatments that will keep them out of nursing homes, according to a new survey released today by the not for profit Alliance for Aging Research.
Press Release
Senator Lincoln, Congressman Tauzin to Receive Public Service Awards
U.S. Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR) and House Commerce Committee Chairman W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-LA) will be saluted tonight for their support of medical research towards healthier aging at the 9th annual Alliance for Aging Research Bipartisan Congressional Awards Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.
Feature Article
A New Class of Medical Tests
Cholesterol checks, mammograms, prostate exams-all these screenings have become routine as science discovers ways to detect disease at its earliest and most treatable stages.
Get Mad Column
Get Mad...And Vote!
Campaign commercials, local politician appearances, and issue rallies can only mean one thing…The election season is quickly approaching!
Living Legend
Jane Scott: Rock of Ages
Years past the age many would consider time to retire from any job, especially a job that is traditionally filled by the young and hip, Jane Scott was grooving with audience members young enough to be her grandkids as rock critic for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Science in the Spotlight
Restricting your Diet, Testing your Willpower
Want to live longer? Just eat less -- a lot less. Some say that cutting calories may well be the key to longer life that researchers have been seeking for generations.
Alliance Views
Science Got Us Into This Mess...And Science Will Get Us Out!
One hundred years ago, when life expectancy for a newborn in the United States was less than 50 years, there wasn't a lot of worry over how to care for massive numbers of older Americans.
Get Mad Column
Medicare Gaps- What's Not Covered
Medicare, simply stated, is the government's contract that it will provide healthcare insurance coverage for older Americans.
Science in the Spotlight
Mental Illness: Closer to Home Than You Think
A Beautiful Mind," last year's Academy Award winner for Best Picture, took us on an extraordinary journey into the mind of a brilliant man suffering from mental illness.
Alliance Views
Road Rage Lookout...Here Comes Diet Rage!
In May of this year, the Alliance For Aging Research conducted our annual survey on Baby Boomers.
Feature Article
Adding Luster to Your Golden Years
Exercise may well hold the key to the fountain of youth.
Living Legend
Dr. Philip Abelson: A Legend's Scientific Journey
Nearly 80 years ago, a grade school teacher told her class: "Each of you has special potential and talents.
Press Release
Task Force Urges Congress To Complete the Commitment to NIH
More than 50 not-for-profit research and patient-support organizations urged Congress to meet President Bush's leadership by completing the commitment to double the NIH budget. . In a joint report released today, the 2002 Task Force for Aging Research Funding stated that Congress must match President Bush's leadership by adopting $27.3 billion in appropriations for biomedical and behavioral research for fiscal year 2003, therefore completing their 5 year commitment to doubling the NIH budget.
Get Mad Column
Demand Better Training for Your Healthcare Provider!
Americans over the age of 65 represent over one-half of physician visits annually, yet only a small percent of healthcare professionals actually have specific training to appropriately care for this population.
Science in the Spotlight
New Frontiers in Battle Against Alzheimer's
New Alzheimer's research is making dramatic strides in treating one of the most common - and feared - forms of dementia.
Feature Article
Centenarians- the Ultimate Survivors!
Living to 100 may well represent the ultimate game of "Survivor."
Living Legend
Florence Mahoney: A Noble Conspirator Indeed!
Florence Stephenson Mahoney has spent most of her adult years as an advocate for good health for all.
Press Release
Report Highlights Senior-Health Care Professional Disconnect
A Senate Special Committee on Aging will hear testimony today from patients, caregivers and healthcare organizations on the urgent need for more geriatric training for U.S. medical professionals.
Testimony
Geriatric Training Shortage Testimony:Senate Special Committee on Aging
Daniel Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, highlighting a new report Medical Never-Never Land: 10 Reasons Why America is Not Ready for the Coming Age Boom. The report highlights a critical gap in the education of U.S. health professionals.
Report
Medical Never-Never Land: Ten Reasons Why America is Not Ready for the Coming Age Boom
Less than 3% of health care providers have training to treat older patients. This lack of geriatric training is a crisis that will only grow as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Medical Never-Never Land is a report highlighting this crisis and based on a forum held under the auspices of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Alliance Views
A 15-year Retrospective and Look Forward
Fifteen years ago, the study of human aging was largely an academic backwater: the field lacked sufficient funding, public support, and scientific prestige.
Science in the Spotlight
Body, Heal Thyself: Science Fiction or Reality?
We don't think it's miraculous when a cut finger heals on its own, or a sprained ankle becomes good as new over a matter of weeks.
Get Mad Column
Don't Let Medicare Squelch the Promise of New Medical Technology
When throat cancer forced a Pennsylvania physics professor to have his larynx removed, he thought his lecturing days were over.
Living Legend
The Legendary Lifetime of Senator Alan MacGregor Cranston
Any facet of the late Alan Cranston's life would be enough to fill a profile.
Press Release
Alliance Applauds Advances in Cellular Therapies
In response to the announcement by Advanced Cell Technologies (ACT) that they have cloned a human embryo, the Alliance for Aging Research believes therapeutic cloning is an essential tool of regenerative medicine with the potential to treat and even cure serious and life-threatening diseases, but restates its opposition to the cloning of a human being or reproductive cloning.
Report
Medical Innovation & the Aging of America:Council of State Governments Health Policy Forum
This report is based on a transcript of a Council of State Governments' Health Policy Forum that was held to analyze the impact of new medical technologies on individuals' longevity and quality of life, and to assess the short- and long-term benefits/costs of providing access to new technologies as America ages. This report was produced to expand the reach of information from the forum to hopefully add to the development of sound public policy.
Science in the Spotlight
Alzheimer's Disease: The Cruelest Thief
Alzheimer's is the cruelest of the diseases that strike the elderly.
Alliance Views
Cellular Therapies Hold Great Promise Despite Controversy
You have all followed the news and debate about stem cells.
Feature Article
Exercise and Strength Training: It's Never Too Late to Start
The best medicine to combat the vagaries of old age is exercise.
Living Legend
Helen Thomas: Washington Press Doyenne
Presidents may come and go, but Helen Thomas is still at her post, after all these years.
Get Mad Column
Medicare Non-Coverage of New Oral Cancer Treatments: A Hard Pill To Swallow
Promising new drugs are revolutionizing the treatment of cancer.
Press Release
President Bush Fails Leadership Test on Stem Cell Research
President Bush had the opportunity tonight to stand tall in the eyes of millions of Americans suffering from life threatening diseases.
Testimony
Statement by Alliance for Aging Research Senior Director Debbie Zeldow before the Food and Drug Administration Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committe Meeting, concerning Eli Lilly and Company's bone formation drug, Forteo
My name is Deborah Zeldow, and I am the Senior Director of the Alliance for Aging Research. Thank you for the opportunity to come before this committee today to address the promising findings of Forteo™ (teriparatide, Lilly), Eli Lilly and Company's bone formation drug.
Testimony
Therapeutic Cloning Testimony:U.S. House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
Daniel Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research, addresses the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on the promise of cloning technologies.
Feature Article
Special Report! Results from the web version of our Attitudes on Aging Research Survey!
A national opinion survey (you can read the results online) of 1,000 adults conducted on behalf of the Alliance for Aging Research in April provided a snapshot of attitudes toward aging and aging research in America.
Alliance Views
Boosting the NIH Budget Will Better Our Lives
It doesn't happen often, but when it comes to boosting funding for medical research, Republicans and Democrats have found a subject on which they all can agree.
Living Legend
Dr. Robert Butler: Leading the Longevity Revolution
At 74, Dr. Robert Butler doesn't think about retiring.
Get Mad Column
Embryonic Stem Cell Research To Save The Lives of Millions
In biological terms, embryonic stem cells have a virtually unlimited future.
Science in the Spotlight
How We Age: Is It in Our Genes? An interview with Caleb Finch, PhD
The role of genetics in determining the quality and length of human life is a million-dollar question right now.
Feature Article, Newsletters
The 15-Year Forecast for Aging!
We introduced ten impressive thought leaders who gave us their hopes for the next 15 years of aging research in the Winter issue of LLLI!
Feature Article
Putting People First: It's Time to Own Your Health Destiny--No one Else Will
Dr. S. Robert Levine is a crusader. He likes to say, "Just as 'all politics is local,' all healthcare is personal.
Alliance Views
Championing Human Genome Research: We need to keep urging for increased public support for research
With all the publicity surrounding the recent mapping of the human genome, it's hard to believe the project was ever less than wildly popular.
Science in the Spotlight
Decoding the Human Genome: Mapping the future of health and aging
Picture your annual medical check-up, sometime in the future.
Living Legend
Dr. Jack McConnell: Transforming Health Care, His Community, and Himself
When he retired to the beach after an illustrious biomedical research career, Jack McConnell, M.D. — integral to such advances as the tuberculosis test, Tylenol, and magnetic resonance imaging — tried to be "what they call a typical retiree: play golf, eat at restaurants and travel."
Get Mad Column
Lost Opportunities on the Campaign Trail: Candidates ignore impending senior boom and its dramatic impact on society
Something momentous is about to happen in this country.
Feature Article
Testosterone: An Antidote to Aging?
Testosterone, the most important of the male sex hormones, has been both touted and blamed for the critical role it plays in making men.
Report
Research At Risk: Will Medicare Changes Impede Breakthroughs?
On April 13, 2000, a public policy form was held on Capitol Hill to consider a single question: Will a greater federal role in paying for prescription drugs for older Americans dampen private sector investments in pharmaceutical research, possibly delaying or denying future medical breakthroughs? This report outlines the discussion.
Living Legend
Ray Doty: Cartooning into a New Century
One hundred and seventy-six books bear his name, as illustrator, writer, or both.
Science in the Spotlight
Regenerative Medicine: Paving the Way for a Healthier Old Age
Over the next few decades, the new field of "regenerative medicine" promises to fundamentally alter the way diseases, especially those affected by the aging process, are approached and treated.
Get Mad Column
Taking Sides in the Great Longevity Debate
Critics of aging research are missing the point.
Here is a sampling of what they are saying:
Here is a sampling of what they are saying:
Feature Article
Think Young! Get Creative! Ten Ways to Keep Your Brain Young
Landmark results from neuroscience research are debunking yet another myth about aging - that the brain continually loses cells and naturally dims with age.
Alliance Views
Will a Medicare Drug Benefit Help or Hurt?
Congress is trying to repair a 35-year-old shortcoming in the nation's most important health care program for seniors.
Report
Research At Risk
April 2000
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Medical Innovation Quality of Care
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Medical Innovation Quality of Care
This document is intended to increase understanding of the interplay between Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage, and continued progress of biomedical research in America.
Report
The Dawn of Gero-Technology: Pioneers in Aging and Regenerative Medicine
This report examines the new era of endeavor that lies at the intersection of business and science, and makes use of the new tools and insights from biogerontology to affect interventions in human aging and age-related diseases.
Living Legend
Natalie Davis Springharn: Of Grace & Grit
The amazing thing about me is that I'm alive!" Natalie Davis Spingarn comments wryly.
Science in the Spotlight
People Who Need People: Clinical Trials
Choosing to participate in a medical research study is an important and very personal decision.
Get Mad Column
Prescription for Disaster
Recently, I overheard a desperate young mother beg her pharmacist to call her doctor for a prescription for Diflucan for her ill daughter.
Alliance Views
Rewinding The Aging Clock At Last: Here Come The Gero-techs!
It may be humankind's oldest dream - somehow to cheat the processes of aging and death.
Feature Article
What To Take For Hype: The Truth About The Anti-Aging Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals
When it comes to taking care of our aging bodies, some things are obvious: exercise regularly, reduce fat intake, watch your cholesterol, get plenty of rest, and eat a well-balanced diet.
Alliance Views
From 'Come On, Baby, Light My Fire,' To 'Come On, Baby, Go To Sleep'
It doesn't seem possible that a guy who knows most of the lyrics of Jim Morrison and The Doors can wake up one day to find he is someone's grandfather.
Get Mad Column
Talking Aging (Or Not) On the Campaign Trail
The positions of Presidential candidates on improving health care runs from the disappointing to the downright scary.
Feature Article
One Serving of Youth, Please! Or, How to Eat Your Way to Healthy Aging
Did you know you can eat your way to healthy aging?
Living Legend
Ruth Ittner: Blazing Trials for 80 Years
Ruth Ittner was six weeks old when she went on her first hike.
Science in the Spotlight
Take a Gene Tweak And Call Me In The Morning
You want cutting edge? Try this: in the health care world of tomorrow, simple blood tests accurately forecast a person's life long predisposition to disease.
Feature Article
A Healthy Way to Sweat Aging
If you think your softening body is an irreversible by product of aging, think again.
Science in the Spotlight
A Shot of Hope on the Alzheimer's Front
This is not the case of the mouse that roared, but instead the one where the mouse stayed plaque-free.
Alliance Views
Fight For Your Independence
Personal independence, the capacity to live where you wish, to do the things you want, with the people you want to be with; this is the essence of freedom that we all cherish.
Living Legend
Ike Hager: Teenager at Heart
Someone forgot to tell Ike Hager that adolescence ends at age 20.
Get Mad Column
Lost Independence: A Costly Problem You Can Avoid
Imagine what it must be like to move to a nursing home.
Brochure
Test Your EyeQ
This health quiz scores your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by questioning your knowledge of prevention and causes and providing information on the correct answers.
Science in the Spotlight
Can We Live Longer by Eating Fewer Calories?
The jury is still out on whether caloric restriction can prolong human life or prevent age-related diseases, but the results of recent studies with rodents and rhesus monkeys are moving us closer to a verdict. Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., professor of medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison and one of the nation's top caloric restriction researchers, shares some thoughts about this promising area of research.
Alliance Views
Shortage of Geriatricians: A Quiet But Critical Health Care Crisis
Ever wonder whether the doctor treating your parent, older relative or friend, or you, if you happen to be over 65, has any special training in treating older people?
Get Mad Column
Where Are All the Geriatricians? We Need Them, Now!
Despite more than 20 years of clear warnings from some of the most prestigious health policy and medical groups in the country, America is facing a severe shortage of health care professionals trained to manage the special health care needs of older people.
Feature Article
Shattering the Myths of Old Age
What is more important in determining how well we age -- genetics or lifestyle choices?
Living Legend
Thomas L. "Lou" Letizia: The Rookie
Thomas L. "Lou" Letizia is 70 years old and a police officer in Palm Beach County, Florida
Report
Independence For Older Americans: An Investment for Our Nation's Future
This report outlines the staggering cost to the U.S. of lost independence of older Americans due to chronic illnesses that are often unrecognized and under-treated.
Surprisingly, it's not the big killer diseases like cancer and heart disease that predominately rob people of their ability to live independently and pose the biggest threat to our nation's health and economic well-being, but rather the unrecognized and under-treated chronic conditions of aging--such as visual and mental impairment, incontinence, and physical immobility.
Surprisingly, it's not the big killer diseases like cancer and heart disease that predominately rob people of their ability to live independently and pose the biggest threat to our nation's health and economic well-being, but rather the unrecognized and under-treated chronic conditions of aging--such as visual and mental impairment, incontinence, and physical immobility.
Alliance Views
Be Part of a New Force for Healthy Aging
Find out your chances of living to 100 on the latest addition to the Alliance home page, The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator© .
Living Legend
Evelyn Nef: This Traveler Knows No Bounds
Evelyn Nef decided to give herself a flat stomach for her 80th birthday.
Feature Article
Seven 'Secrets' to Healthy Aging
A social portolio is like a financial portfolio.
Science in the Spotlight
Stem Cells: Small in Size, Big in Hope
Imagine a world without debilitating costly diseases such as Parkinson's, heart disease and diabetes.
Get Mad Column
Underfunding of Medical Research Threatens Your Future Health
Although medical research is a major avenue to healthy aging, it is seriously under-funded.
Testimony
Stem Cell Testimony:National Bioethics Advisory Commission
Daniel Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research, discusses recent discoveries involving human embryonic stem cells.
Brochure
Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This popular brochure takes a "closer look" at age-related macular degeneration--outlining symptoms and risk factors and offering ways to help reduce your risk.
Report
When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps:Preventing Medication Problems in Older Persons
Misuse of everyday medications by older Americans costs the United States billions of dollars, and thousands of lives, every year, Older people are more vulnerable to adverse drug reactions due to the numbers of medications they take and the biological changes that accompany aging and disease.
When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps focuses on this susceptibility of older Americans. An estimated 106,000 fatal adverse drug reactions occur ever year and the cost of medication-related problems in all age groups approaches $85 billion annually. Recommendations to alleviate this tragic and preventable problem are outlined.
When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps focuses on this susceptibility of older Americans. An estimated 106,000 fatal adverse drug reactions occur ever year and the cost of medication-related problems in all age groups approaches $85 billion annually. Recommendations to alleviate this tragic and preventable problem are outlined.
Report
One Final Gift: Humanizing the End of Life for Women in America
While boys outnumber girls at birth, women outnumber men by almost 4 to 1 after the age of 95. American women outlive men by an average of 6 years, making the face of aging predominately female.
One Final Gift shows that women are more likely than men to be sicker, poorer, alone, and with greater care needs at the end of their lives. This report identifies the disparities in research and public policies and raises the health, social, emotional, and spiritial concerns that confront many women as they near the end of their lives. It also outlines recommendations on how to best bridge these unacceptable gaps.
One Final Gift shows that women are more likely than men to be sicker, poorer, alone, and with greater care needs at the end of their lives. This report identifies the disparities in research and public policies and raises the health, social, emotional, and spiritial concerns that confront many women as they near the end of their lives. It also outlines recommendations on how to best bridge these unacceptable gaps.
Report
Seven Deadly Myths:Uncovering the Facts About the High Cost of the Last Year of Life
This report tests some of the most common myths surrounding the financial and medical impact of end-of-life care, separating fact from fiction to show what really happens for most people during their last years of life.
Report
Will You Still Treat Me When I'm 65?The National Shortage of Geriatricians
The level of geriatric training in the United States falls dangerously below what our nation's aging population will require to meet its healthcare needs. This report examines a looming healthcare crisis and provides recommendations on what should be done to correct today's unbalanced geriatric healthcare system.
Report
Putting Aging On Hold: Delaying The Diseases Of Old Age
This in-depth report, presented to the White House Conference on Aging, examines current statistics on the senior population and their health care needs, along with forecasts for the impending Senior Boom.