Washington, D.C., July 23, 2008
– The Gerontological Health Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) recently received a grant from the Retirement Research Foundation to support student research awards.
The grant totals $60,000 and will be distributed over the next 10 years. The annual funds will be divided between a number of first prizes and honorable mentions, including a doctoral award, a masters/bachelor award and a scholarship pool.
“I would like to thank the Retirement Research Foundation, especially President Marilyn Hennessy, for funding this important project,” said Nancy A. Miller, PhD, chair of APHA’s Gerontological Health Section. “Their generosity will allow us to recognize the future leaders in our field who are contributing to the body of knowledge about meeting the health needs of older adults.”
Added Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA, “as our population ages, it has never been more essential to invest in gerontological health research and support the work of those students entering the field. We are pleased to be able to reward students for their success in their studies, and provide encouragement as they learn how to provide care for the nation’s aging population.”
The Retirement Research Foundation has donated more than $180 million to individuals and institutions dedicated to researching aging and retirement issues. Founded in 1978 by John D. MacArthur, the foundation offers money to help the older persons live independently, improve the quality of care at nursing homes, encourage older persons to partake in community activities and call attention to age-related diseases.
APHA’s Gerontological Health Section seeks to bring awareness to older persons’ health care needs and in general, to improve their health and quality of life. To achieve the goals, the section has made efforts to change governmental health care programs and educate the public.