Research and Funding

Division of Behavioral and Social Research

BSR Sponsored Publications

The Continuing Epidemiological Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa

Shades of Gray: A Cross-Country Study of Health and Well-Being of the Older Populations in SAGE Countries, 2007-2010

Research Highlights from the Edward R. Roybal Centers for Translational Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences of Aging (PDF, 2.0M)

Research Highlights from the NIA Demography Centers (PDF, 3.6M)

Research Highlights: Cross-National Research on Aging (PDF, 117K)

Growing Older in America: The Health & Retirement Study (June 12, 2007)
This NIA data book about the Health and Retirement Study offers a snapshot of research findings on the combined health and economic circumstances of Americans over age 50.

Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective 
This booklet provides a succinct description of population trends that are transforming the world in fundamental ways. The report, using data from the United Nations, US Census Bureau, and the Statistical Office of the European Communities as well as regional surveys, identifies nine emerging trends in global aging. These trends present a snapshot of challenges and opportunities that will stimulate a cross-national scientific and policy dialogue. The booklet was prepared for the March 15, 2007, Summit on Global Aging, hosted by the U.S. State Department in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging.

The National Institute on Aging: A Catalyst for Global Aging Research (PDF, 81K)
NIA leads the Federal research effort to increase our understanding of the nature and implications of aging and to find ways to extend the healthy, active years of life. Established in 1974, NIA’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of older people through research.

90+ in the United States: 2006–2008 (PDF, 3.7M)
The report describes this rapidly growing segment of the population which suggests that the designation of oldest-old should be changed from 85 to 90 years, and details the demographic, health and economic status of America’s oldest adults.

Older Americans 2010
Contains data from several federal sources on several indicators of well-being for older adults. The indicators are categorized into five broad areas—population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. It is produced every two years by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.

An Aging World 2008 (PDF, 6.5M)
Issued in July 2009, this update to the Census Bureau series on global aging was commissioned by the NIA to examine nine international population trends identified in 2007 by the NIA and the U.S. Department of State (Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective). An Aging World: 2008” contains detailed information on life expectancy, health, disability, gender balance, marital status, living arrangements, education and literacy, labor force participation and retirement, and pensions among older people around the world. For additional information, please visit the Census Bureau.

An Aging World 2001 (PDF, 3.9M)
Issued in December 2001, the Census Bureau released its latest report on global aging entitled An Aging World: 2001. This publication updates and expands on previous Census Bureau reports that focused on past, current, and projected numbers, proportions, and growth rates of the elderly population worldwide. Recognizing the characteristics of the elderly are increasingly heterogeneous among and within nations, a second objective of An Aging World: 2001 is to summarize socioeconomic statistics for both developed and developing nations. This report highlights such data for 52 nations when information is available and reasonably comparable.