Alliance for Aging Research

The Alliance for Aging Research is a not-for-profit, private organization based in Washington, D.C. The Alliance's mission is to "advance scientific and medical discoveries to maximize healthy aging, independence and quality of life for older Americans." [ [http://agingresearch.org/section/aboutus/our_mission Alliance Mission Statement ] ]

The Alliance initiates grassroots education campaigns, conducts studies and surveys, and creates and distributes health education materials to consumers. [ [http://agingresearch.org/section/aboutus About the Alliance ] ] The Alliance is governed by a Board of Directors and a Science Advisory Board. Daniel Perry currently serves as the organization's Executive Director.

History

The Alliance for Aging Research was founded in 1986 by a bipartisan group of legislators led by Sen. Alan Cranston to promote human aging medical research. Since then, the Alliance has grown to become the nation's leading advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of older Americans. In 1996 the Alliance launched its Web site [http://www.agingresearch.org www.agingresearch.org] .

Three years after its creation, the Alliance hosted the largest public gathering to date to consider the possible medical and health benefits of sequencing the human genome, with innovative scientists James Watson, Leroy Hood and Thomas Caskey. That same year the organization testified to a Senate committee that federal efforts to understand the genetic basis of age-related diseases could increase healthy aging and regulate health care spending for older Americans. [ [http://agingresearch.org/section/aboutus/history History ] ] In 2003 the Alliance, in cooperation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, launched [http://www.sagecrossroads.net SAGE Crossroads] , an online forum for the latest issues on aging. SAGE Crossroads is a “go-to” site for those who want to discuss the ethical, political, economic and societal implications of aging-related science. The Web site offers a series of downloadable podcasts featuring interviews with experts on topics such as biomarkers of aging, longevity science and personalized medicine.

'"Our goal is to help educate policy makers, government officials, and journalists about current research on aging as well as the implications of this research on future policy issues and decisions," says Kelly LaMarco, editor of SAGE. "As the publishers of SAGE KE, AAAS ( [http://www.aaas.org American Association for the Advancement of Science] ) is in a terrific position to provide Crossroads with precise coverage of current research on the biology of aging."' [ [http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2003/0306sage.shtml American Association for the Advancement of Science ] ]

Programs

The Alliance focuses on a number of educational campaigns each year to help advance public knowledge of aging-related diseases and conditions. These resources are often available for free or at low cost for doctors, patients and caregivers. Recent programs include:

The Silver Book "The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation" is an almanac of more than 1,000 facts, statistics, graphs and data from more than 200 agencies, organizations and experts. In addition to print volumes, a searchable online database is constantly updated and expanded in order to provide the latest research on chronic disease and the value of innovation. Volumes of " [http://www.silverbook.org The Silver Book] " have focused on diabetes, vision loss, neurological diseases, heart disease, cancer, and most recently, osteoporosis. [ [http://silverbook.org The Silver Book ] ]

Alzheimer’s Disease & CaregiversIn 2007 the Alliance partnered with the National Family Caregivers Association to develop "Alzheimer’s Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One"--a resource that educates family caregivers on how to care for themselves while caring for loved ones. The kit includes a leader’s guide, caregiver’s guide and workbook, and video to assist community groups in hosting workshops for family caregivers.

OsteoporosisIn 2008 the Alliance released an osteoporosis prevention and treatment clipboard tool with an algorithm that assists health care professionals in determining the best treatment options for patients at risk or with osteoporosis. In 2007, the Alliance released a kit for hosting workshops on osteoporosis--"Standing Strong: Preventing & Treating Osteoporosis." The kit includes a video, leader's guide, and other resources on prevention, treatment, and effective communication between doctors and patients.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration In 2008 the Alliance updated its brochure "Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration," with the latest information on AMD risk factors, prevention and detection of vision loss, and the importance of early diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s Disease Pocket Films In 2008, the Alliance released four short animated films--A Quick Look at Alzheimer's. [ [http://aboutalz.org AboutAlz ] ] Written and directed by [http://www.davidshenk.com/ David Shenk] , author of "The Forgetting," and narrated by Emmy- and Tony-award winning actor David Hyde Pierce, the films explain the essence of the disease and its public implications. The short films are playable on iPods, cells phones, PDAs, laptops, and DVD players.

Policy

The Alliance works to inform and shape the efforts of policymakers as the debate continues on the increasingly older population. Main areas of policy include aging research funding, FDA funding, stem cell research funding and improving health care for older Americans. The Alliance holds congressional briefings to increase awareness of such diseases and conditions as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, oral care and diabetes. The Alliance also serves on a number of coalitions and committees including: Friends of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the Coalition for a Stronger FDA, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging.

White House Conference on AgingThe Alliance has been a part of the once-a-decade White House Conference on Aging, helping the President and Congress adopt resolutions to make aging research a national priority. [ [http://www.thevolunteercenter2.net/org/10267374995.html The Volunteer Center ] ] The Conference on Aging's efforts resulted in a resolution to make federal funding for aging research equal to one percent of federal health care expenditures for older Americans in 1995, and the adoption of aging research as one of the Conference’s top 50 priorities for implementation by the White House policy committee in 2005.

Task Force on Aging Research FundingThe Alliance collaborates with more than 90 patient and advocacy organizations on the annual "Task Force on Aging Research Funding", a call to action to Congress and other national policymakers. The report uses objective data to highlight the many diseases and conditions that affect older Americans. ACT-AD CoalitionACT-AD(Accelerate Cure/ Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease) is a coalition of more than 50 organizations working to accelerate the development of treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. [ [http://www.act-ad.org/about.aspx ACT-AD ] ]

Events

Since 2002 the Alliance has hosted “Aged to Perfection,” a wine tasting fundraiser bringing together individuals and experts from the biotechnology, health, finance, political and wine communities in order to show support for aging research.

Every year the Alliance holds its Bipartisan Congressional Awards Dinner to highlight how policymakers work together to advance aging research and celebrate recent achievements.

In 2008 the organization awarded the first Florence S. Mahoney Making A Difference Award to honor an individual for his or her contribution to the medical research community. The award remembers Florence S. Mahoney, who was instrumental in the foundation of the National Institute on Aging. [ [http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/FlorenceMahoney.htm NIA ] ]

ee also

* Gerontology
* Geriatrics
* Longevity

References

External links

* Alliance for Aging Research [http://www.agingresearch.org]
* "The Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation in an Aging Nation" [http://www.silverbook.org]
* ACT-AD (Accelerate/Cure Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease) [http://www.act-ad.org]
* National Institute on Aging [http://www.nia.nih.gov]
* SAGE Crossroads [http://www.sagecrossroads.net]