Institute on Aging brings renewed focus to specialized care for older adults

From their unique physiology, to illnesses that commonly affect them, to specific precautions required for their care, older adults are as distinct in their health needs as children. Yet while parents can readily find a pediatrician, older adults often struggle to find equally specialized care. In fact, older adults are projected to make up 25% of all Americans by 2050, yet less than 2% of practicing physicians are geriatricians.

To build a health care system that can support one of the fastest-growing populations, the newly established UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging leverages the expertise of researchers and clinicians across all schools at the university.

“The institute serves as a bridge across UTHealth Houston’s schools and disciplines, allowing us to do more as a university than any individual school or department can do on their own,” said Aanand D. Naik, MD, executive director of the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging.

Read the full story…

---