AFAR’s Amplifying Geroscience Initiative aims to educate policymakers about the broad and potentially transformative benefits of geroscience on older citizens’ health and our nation’s economy.
AFAR is pleased to share that two pieces of “report language” have been included in the Senate’s version of the federal fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill that funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is the result of meetings in Spring 2024 arranged by AFAR with staff from key members of Congress to seek their support in urging the NIH to prioritize research in geroscience. The two items of language are as follows:
"Female Reproductive Aging: The Senate Appropriations Committee acknowledges the NIA for its pioneering efforts in geroscience and underscores the importance of investigating female reproductive aging, a critical yet understudied aspect of women’s health and longevity. For example, aging of the female ovary occurs at a more accelerated pace compared to other tissues and organs, posing significant implications for fertility, reproductive health, and overall well-being. This distinct aging process highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the cellular, molecular, genetic and epigenetic factors driving early onset of female reproductive aging. To ensure progress in this pivotal research area, the Committee encourages NIA to convene a workshop with experts from NIH, other relevant Federal agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to explore the mechanisms that influence female reproductive aging, its impact on women’s health including and beyond reproductive capacity, and the development of strategies and interventions to mitigate its effects. The Committee requests an update in the fiscal year 2026 CJ."
"Measuring Biological Age: The Senate AppropriationsCommittee understands that aging is a primary risk factor for a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, frailty, cardiovascular disease, and many others. The Committee also recognizes that modifying fundamental molecular pathways of aging could enhance a person’s healthspan by delaying or mitigating these diseases and conditions. The ability to measure biological age, as distinct from chronological age, is critical to this effort. Therefore, the Committee encourages NIH to explore opportunities to advance research aiming to develop and validate precise measurements of biological age that are reliable across individuals of different races and socio-economic status. The Committee encourages NIH to take a collaborative, transdisciplinary and trans-NIH approach, integrating epidemiology, genomics, multi-omics, organismal physiology, biology and computational biology, and precision therapeutics. The Committee requests an update on this request within 180 days of enactment."
This bill is still awaiting final action by Congress, but it is considered “must-pass” legislation and AFAR’s requests are well positioned for inclusion.
Learn more about the Amplifying Geroscience Initiative’s efforts since 2022 here.
