Study the Effects of Extreme Weather and Climate Change on Aging
Apply psychological science to study the behavioral processes occurring during extreme weather events
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has announced its special interest on integrative research studying the effects that extreme weather has on aging human populations. Through a new funding opportunity, NIA aims to support scientists analyzing the behavioral, biological, and socioecological processes that occur during extreme weather and disaster events.
NIA reports that adults 65 or older currently make up 13 percent of the US population. By 2030, for the first time in US history, people over the age of 65 will outnumber those under 18, and by 2040, 20 percent of the population will be over 65. One understudied problem for this aging population is the increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather and disasters. The effects that these phenomena have on health requires more research to improve care and strengthen our understanding of the relationship weather has on biological aging.
Many previous studies have examined early-life exposures on later-life effects; however, little research has studied how later-in-life exposure to extreme weather impacts aging.
NIA invites proposals to study the psychological and physiological impacts extreme weather has on aging, as well as the preparedness, response, and recovery to extreme weather and disasters. Research that explores the effects of weather on populations of different socioeconomic status is encouraged. Improving the health and well-being of older adults should be the ultimate goal of the research proposals submitted.
The deadlines for applications to this ongoing NIA funding opportunity are March 9, 2020; July 7, 2020; November 9, 2020; and March 8, 2021. Letters of intent are due 30 days before the deadline.
To read NIA’s call for research on environmental influences on aging, click here.
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