NIA Homepage

The national news has recently reported on a publication from the SWAN study. You can access the publication at the following link: Disparities in Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health between Black and White women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Using multiple measures of social disadvantage, stressors stemming from structural racism, and a measure of discrimination, SWAN researchers found that Black women enter menopause earlier and have more severe symptoms as well as poorer sleep, mental health, health-related quality of life, cardio-metabolic health, and physical function in midlife than White women, and that these differences may be due to structural factors and discrimination. The authors concluded that early interventions on blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist circumference and a reduction in treatment disparities may be key to reducing their CVD risk.

Dr. Juhua Luo has recently published the following paper using data provided by the biobank: Gait speed, handgrip strength, and cognitive impairment among older women - A multistate analysis .

NIH has released two new resources for the research community in preparation for implementation of the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing (DMS) (effective Jan 25, 2023). The two resources being released are:

• Supplemental Information to the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing: Protecting Privacy When Sharing Human Research Participant Data
• Supplemental Information to the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing: Responsible Management and Sharing of American Indian/Alaska Native Participant Data

This supplemental information is responsive to stakeholder feedback regarding resources that would be helpful to the research community.

Request for Public Comments on DRAFT Supplemental Information to the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing: Protecting Privacy When Sharing Human Research Participant Data (OT-OD-22-131)

Dr. Michael G. Shlipak has recently published a paper based on his work with LIFE biospecimens and data provided by the AgingResearchBiobank: Effect of Structured, Moderate Exercise on Kidney Function Decline in Sedentary Older Adults: An Ancillary Analysis of the LIFE Study Randomized Clinical Trial

Dr. Juhua Luo has recently published the following paper using data provided by the biobank: Trajectories of objectively measured physical function among older breast cancer survivors in comparison with cancer-free controls.

A new study, Comprehensive Assessment of the Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy Study (CALERIE), has been posted to the AgingResearchBiobank website. Data and biospecimens from this study are now available for request.

CALERIE was a study designed to determine the biological effects of two years of prolonged caloric restriction in humans.

It’s been more than two and a half years since NIA officially established the AgingResearchBiobank, a state-of-the-art scientific repository of valuable biospecimens and related data from NIA-supported longitudinal and clinical studies. As this well-received resource continues to expand, it can help to develop and accelerate your studies — plus make it easier for you to comply with forthcoming changes to NIH data management and sharing policies.

Four studies exploring women’s brain and heart health during midlife conducted in the NIH-supported Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) suggest that midlife health may be an important determinant of cognitive and heart health later on in life. Read more at https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/four-studies-explore-womens-brain-and-heart-health-during-midlife

More exciting news this month as our AgingResearchBiobank continues to grow! Our latest collections spotlight two important clinical studies on older men's health. If you're studying sex differences in risks and resilience as we age, be sure to connect to these newly released Biobank resources...

More than one-third of people aged 65 years and older fall each year. The risk of falling and fall-related problems like fractures and loss of mobility rises with age and is affected by other health conditions and some medications...

The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) helps scientists, health care providers, and patients understand the relationship between women's midlife experiences, such as menopause, and their health and quality of life in later years. SWAN...

Maintaining the ability to walk without assistance and perform daily activities is essential for health and independence as we age. Conducted from 2010 to 2013, the NIA-supported Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study examined...

As part of NIA's mission, we conduct and support various longitudinal and clinical studies on aging that generate a vast collection of biospecimens and related phenotypic and clinical data. When these grants end, it is often hard to maintain such collections with no support...