At the Intersection of Rigor and Equity: Health Disparities Research Related to Aging

Aging in the United States will be defined by differences in health and longevity among populations. Diversity among the aged population is expected to increase. While investigators must contend with generalizability to enhance rigor, biomedical research holds great promise in exploring determinants of health for populations groups. Biomedical research explores the impact of various determinants on health and longevity. Health disparities research related to aging serves as an important scientific approach for researchers to maintain clarity in generalizability, with a focus on a breadth of determinants in multiple levels of analysis. Moreover, health disparities research related to aging holds the biomedical research enterprise accountable to principles of equity for understanding and addresing the health and aging of disproportionately affected population groups in society.