Health disparities are associated with a broad, complex, and interrelated array of factors. Diagnosis, progression, response to treatment, caregiving, and overall quality of life may each be affected by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), age, education, occupation, and other as yet unknown lifetime and lifestyle differences.

The NIA Office of Special Populations works across the Institute to support and strengthen our mission in understanding and redressing health disparities for older women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in aging research.