Researchers
About Us
Research Initiatives
Overview, Mission, and Goals
University of Pittsburgh Council on Aging
Accomplishments
Administrative Structure
Giving to UPIA
The Institute on Aging is committed to improving and developing aging-related
research programs that enhance the health and overall quality of life
of older adults. It functions as a gateway to the many age-related
research projects under way at the University of Pittsburgh, which
often involve University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) staff
and resources. Together, UPMC and the University devote more resources
to aging than almost any other academic system in the nation.
Physicians and researchers within UPMC and the University participate
in Institute on Aging initiatives and sponsored research, with many
centers of excellence in aging research. Institute research activities
include:
- identifying new research activities and funding opportunities facilitating
the grant application process
- assisting in recruiting patient participants
- funding research fellowships in gerontology
- collaborating among UPMC and the University’s aging-related
disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, economics, law,
basic sciences, health care delivery, and health services research
- disseminating research outcomes and presenting relevant topics
through forums, seminars, and symposia
- collaborating with government, public, and private organizations
to provide up-to-date information
In 2002, the University of Pittsburgh ranked eighth in National
Institutes of Health grants, receiving more than $300 million
in for research, training, fellowships, and other uses. Clinical,
core, comprehensive, specialized, biotech, and other research efforts
focus on scientific investigations of geriatric syndromes, age-related
diseases and conditions, health, and prevention as well as multiple
morbidity issues and aging changes over the life span. Funding from
the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services and its agencies -- including the National
Institutes of Health -- and other public and private institutes
supports Institute on Aging and University of Pittsburgh gerontology-focused
research. Novel and challenging approaches in research lead to innovative
applications and evidence-based practices for professionals, influencing
best-practice modalities.
The Institute has an opportunity to make significant impact on geriatric-focused
clinical practices because of its demonstration projects affecting
the acquisition and distribution of health care resources and its diverse
research programs.
Research Initiatives
- Alzheimer’s disease, including neuroimaging and gene testing
to test the effects of comorbidities and pharmacology
- cancer
- diabetes
- end of life issues and bioethics
- epidemiology
- functional assessment, especially as applied to frail, older adults
and its relationship to improved technology, treatment, and prevention
- gene therapy, focusing on multiple diseases and conditions including
cardiologic, endocrine, neurologic, neurodegenerative, vision, osteoarthritis,
urologic, and mood disorders
- health care disparities and anthropologic research, investigating
the racial differences in coping with chronic disease
- health care economics, outcomes, and utilization, including the
effects of aging and results of care provided in multiple settings
for specific diseases and conditions
- incontinence, addressing epidemiology, comorbidity, treatment protocols,
and long-term management
- infectious diseases, including pneumonia-related morbidity and
mortality in the community and nursing homes, as well as urinary
tract and other infectious diseases prevalent in long-term care
- late-life mood disorders, including depression, epidemiology, psychopharmacology,
and functional brain imaging and focusing on prevention, detection,
pathophysiology, treatment, and impact on social functioning as well
as applications in other research areas such as elderly suicide,
disabilities, and mortality rates
- long-term care assessment including studies on quality of life,
quality of clinical care, issues and initiatives in multiple settings,
and opportunities for improvement
- osteoporosis
- prevention
- sarcopenia, including risk factors, pathophysiology, effect of
comorbidity, and evaluation of the effectiveness of comprehensive
prevention programs
- sleep disorders, including primary insomnia, treatment responses,
and other sleep disorder factors
- suicide, including elderly suicide prevention that involves primary
care practitioners
University of Pittsburgh Council on
Aging
The University of Pittsburgh Council on Aging provides guidance in
developing a comprehensive database on research and training programs
in the area of aging at the University of Pittsburgh, identifies new
research and training initiatives in aging for the University of Pittsburgh,
and provides direction in developing research and training bridges
between the University and UPMC. The council’s
members are faculty and administrators from the University’s
Schools of the Health Sciences and Arts
and Sciences.
Accomplishments
The University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center together devote more resources to aging than almost any other academic system in the nation. As a result, U.S. News & World Report has ranked University of Pittsburgh Medical Center among the best hospitals in the nation citing 14 of the 16 medical specialties among the best. UPMC was ranked 8th in geriatrics in 2007 out of nearly 2,000 hospitals in the United States. Other age-related rankings for UPMC specialties include: 10th in rheumatology, 11th in psychiatry, 12th neurology and neurosurgery, cancer and orthopedics, 16th in respiratory diseases, 18th in Rehabilitation Medicine and 27th in Endocrinology.
Geriatric Medicine
- The University of Pittsburgh Division of Geriatric Medicine is one of the largest academic geriatric divisions in the United States, and it is considered one of the best. The division is nationally known for its work in age-related medical ethics, nutrition, home care, urinary incontinence, mobility and balance disorders, epidemiology, osteoporosis, chronic pain, heart disease, and dementia.
- The University of Pittsburgh Division of Geriatric Medicine and the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry have both been designated as National Centers of Excellence as defined by the John A. Hartford Foundation of New York City, making us one of the only academic medical centers to receive this designation.. The funding from Hartford Foundation is being used to enhance the university's excellent clinical and research training programs.
- By far, UPMC has more fellowship and board-certified geriatricians than any health system in the region. UPMC's team approach involves geriatricians in comprehensive geriatric care. This feature distinguishes it from the care available at most doctors' offices.
Alzheimer's Disease
Cancer
Psychiatry
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Incontinence
-
Urinary Incontinence Programs at UPMC Senior Care – Benedum Geriatric Center combines research and treatment, addressing a major precipitating factor for significant disability and dependency in the elderly. By recognizing the social, financial, and medical impacts caused by this symptom, then treating underlying diseases and conditions, UPMC's doctors, clinicians, and researchers develop treatment guidelines for the global community.
Administrative Structure
The administrators of the Institute on Aging are:
Neil M. Resnick, MD
Director
Richard Schulz, PhD
Associate director
Shikha Iyengar
Administrative director
The Institute on Aging receives help in developing, enhancing, and linking its programs from the University of Pittsburgh Council of Aging and the advisory councils described below:
Clinical Advisory Council
The members of this council are regional experts who provide medical
care to older adults. These experts report on care currently available,
gaps in care, and ways in which the institute's research, educational,
and clinical resources can be used to help patients and clients.
The Clinical Advisory Council also suggests ways to enhance access
to UPMC and community health care services for older adults.
Research Advisory Council
The Research Advisory Council identifies new research opportunities.
Council members are particularly interested in research that involves
multidisciplinary collaboration. To facilitate research, council
members help establish links among researchers, clinical sites, and
data. In addition, the council provides research assistance in regard
to grant applications, subject recruitment, and seminars. This function is performed by a committee of the University of Pittsburgh Council on Aging.
Educational Advisory Council
University curricula and nonacademic continuing education courses and
programs are the focus of the Educational Advisory Council. Council
members work with the University of Pittsburgh to evaluate, develop,
and enhance academic courses and programs (internships, residencies,
and fellowships) and other curricula in the fields of geriatrics,
gerontology, and health services. This function is performed by a committee of the University of Pittsburgh Council on Aging.
To learn more about the Institute on Aging, contact us.
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