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2012 MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award® Recipient Announced

Published June 25, 2012

Dr. Linda Fried, Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Receives Award for Innovative Research on Healthy Aging

Washington, D.C. – June 25, 2012 – The Alliance for Aging Research and MetLife Foundation announced the winner of the second annual MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award. Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH, was selected in honor of her innovative work contributing pragmatic solutions to address the rising cost of health care associated with the aging of our nation, preventive strategies aimed at keeping aging populations healthier longer, and thought leadership on the positive contributions that greater longevity brings to society.

Dr. Fried was chosen from a pool of highly-accomplished nominees whose scholarship offers critical insights at the important juncture of aging, health care, and economics. Under the terms of the award, Dr. Fried will write a review or analysis of her work to be published in a peer-reviewed journal within the next 6 – 12 months. The paper will expand upon her work, which considers both the opportunities and potential costs that result from longer life, and looks beyond current policy prescriptions for answers to the challenges posed by our aging society.

Dr. Fried will receive a cash award of $75,000 to further her research in the field of healthy aging and support the writing of her Silver Scholar paper.

The Metlife Foundation Silver Scholar Award grows out of the Alliance’s Silver Book®: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation—a resource that highlights the burden of disease and the value of innovation in mitigating that burden. The Silver Book brings together thousands of statistics and data from hundreds of reputable reports and studies, all into one easy-to-use resource. Past volumes from The Silver Book series and their data are available online at www.silverbook.org.

“We are so pleased to be able to recognize the important work of scholars like Dr. Fried through this award. Her work is exactly the type of creative and innovative thinking that is helping people understand the true value of our older population and the need for more research to keep us healthy, longer,” said Daniel Perry, CEO and President, Alliance for Aging Research.

As America’s population ages and endures an increasing burden of chronic disease, the U.S. faces enormous and unprecedented stresses to its health care system and economy. Controlling these rising costs depends on investments in research and innovation. A critical component of health economics, cost-effectiveness analysis looks primarily at life-years gained, lost workdays avoided, and health services that weren’t used. Unfortunately, the accepted methods often fail to take into account the fairly new phenomenon of active aging. While many Americans age 65 and older are no longer in the “traditional” workforce, they are increasingly seeking opportunities for civic engagement, exploring new careers, supporting families, and continuing to contribute to society. These factors tend not to be reflected in traditional cost-effectiveness evaluations. This award is intended to recognize and encourage work to change the way we value innovation and life after 65.

Dr. Fried’s full biography, as well as biographies of last year’s recipients, can be found online at Silver Scholar.

Founded in 1986, the Alliance for Aging Research is a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the health and independence of aging Americans through public and private funding of medical research and geriatric education. The Alliance combines the interest of top scientists, public officials, business executives, and foundation leaders to promote a greater national investment in research and new technologies that will prepare our nation for the coming senior boom, and improve the quality of life for today’s older generation. Learn more at www.agingresearch.org

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Through programs focusing on empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities, MetLife Foundation increases access and opportunities for people of all ages. Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $530 million in grants to nonprofit organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. For more information, visit www.metlife.org.

 
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