National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Welcome to the website of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Since 1974, the NIA -- one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the NIH -- has been at the forefront of the Nation's research activities dedicated to understanding the nature of aging, supporting the health and well being of older adults, and extending healthy, active years of life for more people.

Data from the Census Bureau tell us that there are currently around 39 million Americans age 65 and older, up from 25.5 million just 30 years ago. This population explosion is unprecedented in history, and the resulting demographic shift is causing profound social and economic changes. At NIA, our mission is to discover what may contribute to a healthy old age as well as to understand and address the disease and disability sometimes associated with growing older. In pursuit of these goals, our research program covers a broad range of areas, from the study of basic cellular changes that occur with age to the examination of the biomedical, social, and behavioral aspects of age-related conditions, including Alzheimers disease.

The Institute's mission is to:
• Support and conduct genetic, biological, clinical, behavioral, social, and economic research on aging.
• Foster the development of research and clinician scientists in aging.
• Provide research resources.
• Disseminate information about aging and advances in research to the public, health care professionals, and the scientific community, among a variety of audiences.