Message from the Scientific Director - Working together towards the best possible aging
Healthy aging is a goal we all share. Some of us contribute to the identification of conditions related to aging by advancing knowledge on a healthy approach to getting older, from a biological, behavioral or social point of view. Others contribute clinical research to optimize the well-being of those facing health challenges. These contributions span from traditional medicine, engagement with health professionals, health services, health prevention and promotion, and embrace social actions and even non-traditional health solutions. We benefit from all those sharing their wisdom and experiences around the challenges of aging.As of August 1st, I have the privilege of adding my own contribution to the unique community of research on aging as Scientific Director of the Institute of Aging of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). In this new role, my own challenge is not small. As the third Scientific Director, I follow the great contributions of Dr Réjean Hébert, founding Scientific Director in 2001, whose vision and skills has allowed Canada to develop a recognized community of research on aging. I also follow Dr. Anne Martin-Matthews whose omnipresence, knowledge and personal belief has allowed the Canadian community of research on aging to attain maturity, embracing all domains, including the crucial contributions of social sciences and humanities.
Both of my predecessors were convinced that the well-being of our aging population would be served by new integrated knowledge -- calling on all domains and disciplines to work together in the new blend of science of aging. Both were firm believers that research knowledge must be disseminated, shared and put in action in the health system and within society for the benefit of the elderly.
On October 1st, the Government of Canada is celebrating the first annual National Seniors Day. This event is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the joys and complications that come with the modern privilege of aging. We need to remember that the fabulous increase in life expectancy accomplished over the last centuries comes with unforeseen challenges -- challenges so complex and intricate that the traditional scientific univocal approach will not suffice. It is important that we integrate our disciplines and domains and work together to add healthy years to the lives of all Canadians.
I feel privileged to have been invited by the CIHR President, Dr. Alain Beaudet, and Governing Council to lead the Institute of Aging. With your guidance and the advice of the Institute Advisory Board, I will devote my efforts to our shared goal. I will continue to pursue the Institute's strategic priorities: cognitive impairment in aging, mobility in aging, health services and systems for an aging population, and capacity building. And, with your ideas, we will identify new strategic orientations. I foresee that we will want to share our knowledge and methodologies with colleagues of other disciplines, who are increasingly facing the challenges of an aging society. Indeed cardio-vascular diseases, cancer or even HIV-AIDS research communities now have to face this challenge with us. It is our responsibility to welcome these new partners for the benefit of all Canadians.
I am particularly indebted to my predecessor, Dr. Anne Martin-Matthews, for the role the Institute of Aging played in the introduction of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). This unique research platform will become an extraordinary tool for researchers of all horizons. Now seen as an important contribution to patient-oriented research, the CLSA will play a major role in transforming longer life expectancy into longer healthy life expectancy.
The Institute of Aging also has an opportunity to provide leadership to the International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders, one of CIHR's first Roadmap Strategic initiatives. Initiated under the vision and dynamism of Dr. Rémi Quirion, this strategy is intended to strengthen the Canadian dementia research community in order to better address the ultimate goal of detecting, delaying, or preventing the progression of the cognitive impairments that afflict many elderly people. The Institute of Aging – in cooperation with the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction -- looks forward to completing the deployment of Phase one of this initiative, and will prepare the second phase with the help of the research community, our Cognitive Impairment in Aging partners, decision makers and the larger community.
So, it is with great excitement and expectation that I see us initiating the third chapter of the Institute of Aging. I look forward to engaging with all of the Institute's partners in working together towards the best possible aging.
Yves Joanette, PhD
Scientific Director, Institute of Aging
Executive Director, International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Montréal, September, 2011