Browse Publications
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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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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. -
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. -
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 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. -
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 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. -
Alliance ViewsSilver Scholars: Valuing Active Aging
Summer 2011 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Medical Innovation Policy ResearchWe 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? -
ReportThe 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 StrokeThis 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. -
Feature ArticleTreatments 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 LossExciting 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 ViewsSuper 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. -
DocumentThe Severe Burden of Diabetes on America's Seniors
May 2010
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention ResearchIn 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. -
DocumentHuman Burden of Diabetes and The Importance of Research
May 2010
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Diabetes Health Medical Innovation Prevention ResearchIn 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. -
Science in the SpotlightOur Sick Environment: Threatening Healthy Aging
Spring 2010 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Health Nutrition Prevention ResearchHeadlines 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. -
Document, ReportThe 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. -
Brochure, ReportThe Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Neurological Disease
November 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Parkinson's Disease ResearchThe 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. -
Science in the SpotlightWhat 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. -
Report2009 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 HealthThe 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. -
ReportAdvancing 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 -
Science in the SpotlightFinding 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. -
TestimonyFiscal 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. -
TestimonyFiscal 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. -
Fact SheetLow 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 SheetLow 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
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ReportThe 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 StrokeThe 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. -
Science in the SpotlightThe Eyes Have It
Stem cells could hold the key to stopping and even reversing the blinding effects of aging, according to recent research. -
ReportThe 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. -
DocumentThe Best Minds in the Business:
SAGE Crossroads Trading Cards
November 2005 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Longevity Medical Innovation ResearchUse 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. -
Alliance ViewsStem 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. -
Get Mad ColumnA 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 ViewsFirst, 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. -
Alliance ViewsStem 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. -
Get Mad ColumnLeadership, 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. -
Alliance ViewsAdvancing 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. -
Alliance ViewsGuiding 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: -
ReportRedesigning 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. -
Science in the SpotlightAdvances for the New Millennium
There is a fine line in medical research between hope and realism. -
Alliance ViewsScience 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. -
Science in the SpotlightNew 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. -
Alliance ViewsA 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. -
Alliance ViewsCellular Therapies Hold Great Promise Despite Controversy
You have all followed the news and debate about stem cells. -
Alliance ViewsBoosting 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. -
Get Mad ColumnEmbryonic Stem Cell Research To Save The Lives of Millions
In biological terms, embryonic stem cells have a virtually unlimited future. -
Feature Article, NewslettersThe 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! -
Alliance ViewsChampioning 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 SpotlightDecoding the Human Genome: Mapping the future of health and aging
Picture your annual medical check-up, sometime in the future. -
ReportResearch 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. -
Get Mad ColumnTaking Sides in the Great Longevity Debate
Critics of aging research are missing the point.
Here is a sampling of what they are saying: -
Feature ArticleThink 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. -
ReportThe 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. -
Science in the SpotlightPeople Who Need People: Clinical Trials
Choosing to participate in a medical research study is an important and very personal decision. -
Science in the SpotlightTake 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. -
Science in the SpotlightA 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. -
Science in the SpotlightStem Cells: Small in Size, Big in Hope
Imagine a world without debilitating costly diseases such as Parkinson's, heart disease and diabetes. -
Get Mad ColumnUnderfunding of Medical Research Threatens Your Future Health
Although medical research is a major avenue to healthy aging, it is seriously under-funded.