Lifespan Initiative on Healthy Aging

Who We Are

More than 30 Brandeis scholars are involved in lifespan research and/or teaching related to healthy aging. We have already made progress in identifying modifiable factors that promote successful aging. One of our primary goals is to share important research findings about healthy aging with area scholars and the broader community.

There is growing evidence that many indicators of how we age and markers of the course of aging emerge in the middle ages of life or even earlier. The decisions and choices we make in midlife have implications for our aging futures. The lifespan perspective we have adopted represents a challenging, proactive approach to maximize healthy aging, in comparison to the conventional strategies, which rely on treatment of problems after they arise. Although even in such cases, it is often “not too late” to make a difference, we also present the idea it is “never too soon” to begin thinking about how to age successfully.

Collectively, our research is designed to increase the quantity and quality of life (that is, to maximize the number of “good” years lived). We emphasize the importance of thinking about successful aging early on in adulthood, to identify protective and risk factors and early warning signs for aging-related declines and diseases, and to foster supportive social networks and policies.

We are developing educational programs related to aging for undergraduates, graduate students, and for continuing education. In addition, we are planning outreach and service-oriented programs to address community needs and provide rich experiential learning opportunities for students.

LIHA is a multidisciplinary, multicultural, and integrative initiative drawing scholars from biology, chemistry, medicine, neuroscience, social policy, psychology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, history, human factors engineering, nutrition, art and literature. We are also establishing partnerships with other universities and institutions in Greater Boston committed to advancing healthy aging and lifelong well-being.