Aging Research Center

background

Older adults are considered one of the vulnerable groups in any society, such that with increasing age, changes occur in various dimensions including decreased physical ability and mental capacity, emergence of psychological and emotional conditions, chronic diseases, and changes in the mechanisms of sexual activity, joints, diabetes, various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, frailty of aging, presbyopia and visual disorders, musculoskeletal problems, imbalance in walking, decreased bone tissue and osteoporosis, and medication use will occur.

According to the estimates of the World Health Organization, the global elderly population (people aged 60 years or older) is currently 962 million and with an annual growth of 3 percent will reach more than 3 billion by 2050. Overall, 13 percent of the world’s population are currently elderly.

In Iran, based on the 2016 census, the elderly population is 9.3 percent. Although the increase in the elderly population of societies following the increase in human life expectancy indicates the success of countries in the fields of health, treatment, and economy, at the same time it confronts policymakers with challenges.

In this regard, the Iranian research center on Aging of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, as one of the prestigious and main centers in the country, conducts research in the field of biological, physical–psychological, and social issues of the elderly at the community level and produces, disseminates, and applies new knowledge in the field of aging in order to improve the health and quality of life of the elderly.

This center, by training specialized personnel and encouraging, motivating, and employing researchers, and through participation and collaboration with research and educational centers, national and international organizations, and through consultation in policymaking of national programs, contributes to the comprehensive improvement of elderly health in society.