NIH to Seek Secrets of a Long Life

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to conduct research to identify the secrets of living longer and healthier lives. Specifically, NIH scientists hope to discover why extreme old age tends to run in certain families.

To be conducted by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the Long Life Family Study will seek personal input from members of families with two or more healthy brothers and sisters who have lived to old age and can be interviewed in person.

"We're interested in finding out why some families age so well," said Winifred K. Rossi, NIA's program official for the study in a press release. "By sharing information about their lives and families with us, participants may help improve the health of future generations -- including their own children and grandchildren -- by giving us clues to the secrets of healthy longevity."

Who Can Take Part? The Long Life Family Study is open to any family with two or more living siblings age 79 and older. The NIA hopes to interview as many families as possible. There is no charge to take part in the study, and researchers will travel to the participants’ homes to conduct the interviews. For more information, or to apply to be interviewed, visit the Long Life Family Study web site.

Also See:
U.S. Life Expectancy Hits All-time High (2001)
Rate of Global Aging Increasing (2001)