Study Receives $86 Million Grant for Continuing Research of Health and Function in Older Adults

An $86 million, five-year grant from the National Institute of Aging has been awarded to the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC). This funding renewal will continue scientific inquiry into trends and dynamics of late-life disability and Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. The multiple principal investigator is Department of Epidemiology professor and Center on Aging and Health director Jennifer Schrack, PhD. Bloomberg School co-investigators include: Jennifer Wolff, PhD; Pablo Martinez Amezcua, MD; Adam Spira, PHD; Alden Gross, PhD; and Maureen Skehan, MSPH.

"We are excited for NHATS and NSOC to continue for another 5 years," says Schrack. "Given the aging of the population worldwide, it has never been more important to understand the trends and dynamics associated with changes in late-life physical, cognitive, and sensory health. NHATS and NSOC are an invaluable resource to researchers focused on improving the lives of older adults."

Since 2011, NHATS and NSOC have been providing important information about the daily lives of older adults in the U.S. To date, more than 17,000 participants have been interviewed about their daily activities.

NHATS and NSOC are a collaboration between the Bloomberg School and the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, with data collection by Westat.