Posted on May 7: McMaster researcher leads comprehensive study on aging

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BY Chantall Van Raay

May 7, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/raina_opt.jpg” caption=”Parminder Raina “]McMaster's Parminder Raina will lead one of the country's most comprehensive longitudinal studies on aging to improve the health and quality of life of older Canadians.

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) received a $400,000 boost Tuesday from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The study will provide knowledge about the aging process that will be used to develop improved treatments and prevention methods for illnesses associated with aging. The announcement was made at the close of the National Seniors' Forum on Research in Ottawa.

“The CLSA is going to be a unique multidisciplinary study of aging because of its magnitude and breadth,” says the associate professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics, adding about 50,000 individuals will be recruited for the study. The study plans to understand the contribution of a large number of factors related to the evolution and progression of disease and illness, and healthy and successful aging among men and women over the age of 45, Raina explains.

Some of the factors to be examined include genetics, lifestyle, cultural issues, retirement and leading diseases. “The study will follow individuals for a 20-year period and will provide valuable information about today and tomorrows seniors,” Raina says.

Several sites will be established across Canada to carry out the study. It will be the most comprehensive longitudinal study in the country's history, involving approximately 180 researchers.

Raina joins Susan Kirkland, from Dalhousie University and Christina Wolfson, from McGill University in leading the protocol that will take 18 months to develop and outline how the CLSA will be conducted.

“We believe that this study is unique in its approach and will profile Canada as a leader in research on aging globally,” Raina says. “The goal of this study is not just to advance the science but ultimately to improve the health and quality of life of older Canadians by linking research and practice. That is why the CLSA research team is delighted to be part of this exciting initiative. We will have a road map to carry out this study completed by March 2004.”