BROWN BAG SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING XIII: HOW DO WE EXPAND PREVENTION SCIENCE RESEARCH INTO LATER LIFE?

Older adults have not been the focus in most prevention science research, despite significant shifts in global population demographics. Prevention scientists have an opportunity to enhance aging research by addressing modifiable factors that affect health and well-being across the lifespan (e.g., unconscious aging bias, ageism; social support; exposure to stress and discrimination; access to health care/services; healthy environments). With the accumulation of exposure to risks over time, the likelihood of reaching old age is unequal (Abramson, 2016). Interacting systems (e.g., individual, family, community, and society) are potential facilitators or inhibitors of health and well-being in later life. Furthermore, as the older adult population becomes increasingly diverse (i.e., SES, ethnicity), increased human life expectancy can mask ever-growing disparities and inequities. The goal of this brown bag session is to foster discussion on applying and expanding prevention science principles across the life course.