Regardless of their major, concentration or subsequent career, students at WashU will experience age-related issues in both their personal and professional lives. Issues in aging span every academic discipline. Policies, products, and services still often focus on 20th century needs, when life expectancy was much lower.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of the population will be age 65 in the next 20 years, or more specifically, the oldest population among us is experiencing the fastest growth. New academic and community approaches will need to reflect the growing diversity in the health and general needs and interests of older adults. This will present a myriad of opportunities and challenges.

Henrietta Parram, a member of STL Village, speaks with Washington University students Arno Goetz (center) and Daniel Tanenbaum during a recent class in "When I'm Sixty-Four: Transforming Your Future." Photo by Diana Linsley
Henrietta Parram, a member of STL Village, speaks with WashU students Arno Goetz (center) and Daniel Tanenbaum during a recent class in “When I’m Sixty-Four: Transforming Your Future.” Photo by Diana Linsley.
Faculty Course Enhancement Awards

To help prepare students for population aging, the Friedman Center is offering course enhancement awards to support the incorporation of aging-relevant topics into new and existing courses at WashU. Instructor proposals chosen for this program will receive a $250 award that can be used for course materials, guest speakers, field trip expenses, or other resources needed to support the incorporation of aging-relevant material into your course. Consultation from the Friedman Center is also available to help you develop lectures, activities, and assignments, as well as connect to community resources.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact centerforaging@wustl.edu to learn more.

Resources for curriculum

View a list of available resources that can be incorporated into curriculum.

Summer Research Program- Aging and Neurological Diseases Track

The Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program is open to students who seek challenge, research and experience along with the opportunity to explore and grow academically in a diverse environment.

The eight-week Summer Research Program enables students from any university to develop expertise in the Aging and Neurological Diseases Track.

2019 Summer Research Program Public Health & Neurological Disease Cohort

Aging-related Publications

View the latest publications from our center’s team.

Brian Carpenter
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Susan Stark