In another year dominated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, McMaster’s researchers have shown themselves to be highly creative, adaptable, and innovative in advancing aging research — supporting and enriching the aging experience through problemsolving and collaboration across all six university Faculties. McMaster University is ranked among the top 80 universities globally and is Canada’s most research-intensive university. With aging across the lifespan as one of our research priorities, McMaster has been a positive influence on the success of aging research in Canada and internationally. As an Age-Friendly University, McMaster is rapidly advancing aging research, as well as education and community initiatives that support older adults. As a result of their collaborative approach, our researchers have been able to blend scientific expertise and medical advances with social insights, engineering acumen and management skills. This enables the design of innovative solutions intended to support longer, healthier lives and to foster active and healthy populations across the lifespan. Through this interdisciplinary approach McMaster has developed the capacity to address the most pressing aging-related questions facing older adults, caregivers, health professionals and policy makers. This important work has been made possible as a result of the vision and generosity of Suzanne Labarge.
Older adults are living longer, but they also face challenges, including barriers to physical mobility and social and personal support systems. The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and its centres have shown that they have the capacity to confront the challenges older adults face in their daily lives in a rapidly changing world. I am pleased to champion the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA) and the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre, both housed within MIRA. In another complex year for academic and research institutions across the globe, MIRA continues to advance its vision with significant success and support its researchers, trainees, stakeholders and members of the older adult community. McMaster continues to receive recognition as an international and innovative leader in aging research. McMaster’s recent research activities have focussed on the importance of improving the lives of older adults during an ongoing global pandemic where they are among the most vulnerable. Through MIRA’s centres, we are leading the way with the translation of important research findings that will help older adults and their caregivers make the best evidence-based decisions for optimal health and well-being.
I invite you to read more about the positive impact McMaster is making in this year’s report.
The future of aging research at McMaster is bright. Through the generous investments made by Suzanne Labarge, we have been able to set the stage for excellence and develop an aspirational path for McMaster while adapting to our ever-evolving world.
Dr. David Farrar
Dr. Susan Denburg
President and Vice-Chancellor
Executive Vice-Dean and Associate Vice-President, Academic, Faculty of Health Sciences University Lead, Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging, MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre and McMaster Institute for Research on Aging
2020 MIRA and Labarge Annual Report | Introduction
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