ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR) and the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology have received a $3.3 million award from the National Institute on Aging to continue funding of a center dedicated to improving the health of older African Americans who live in cities.

The Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, established in 1996, is one of six national resource centers for minority aging research supported by the National Institute on Aging.

“Our objective is to develop a new generation of scholars in social and behavioral science research, devoted to improving the health of older ethnic and racial minorities,” said U-M social psychologist James S. Jackson, co-director of the joint U-M/WSU Center with WSU researcher Peter Lichtenberg.

“The ability to continue this long-running program strengthens it and expands its depth and reach,” said Jackson, who is also director of the U-M ISR.

In addition to education minority scholars to work with an aging population, the grant funds the Healthier Black Elders Center housed at Wayne State. This group organizes a series of yearly community health forums and an annual health reception that attracted nearly 1,000 community members in 2007. The group also recruits older adults from the community as participants in a variety of research projects.

“The goal is to make a significant difference in the health of all African Americans, by reversing current healthcare inequalities,” said Olivia Washington, who heads the Healthier Black Elders Center. “This grant will allow us to touch an additional 5,000 to 6,000 people. That’s a remarkable impact.”

“We train scholars, bring key health information to thousands of seniors, and support research on how African Americans can stay healthier as they age,” said Lichtenberg, director of the WSU Institute of Gerontology.

For more information about the center, and about the Community Health Forum scheduled for Nov. 8, visit: http://mcuaaar.iog.wayne.edu/