Population-Based Research on Aging
- Course Number: GMS 6485
- Credits: 3
- Course Format: This online course is tailored for asynchronous distance learners.
- Course Syllabus: Download
Course Description
Aging is reshaping healthcare systems, economies and communities across the world. As populations live longer, understanding aging through a population health lens has never been more essential. This course invites you to explore how large-scale research, epidemiology, global aging research and large-scale data help us understand the healthspan, resilience, health equity, well-being and lived experiences of aging societies across diverse communities.
This course provides a structured and comprehensive introduction to population health frameworks, the epidemiology of aging and the ecological models of health. Core concepts include social determinants of health, longevity disparities, multimorbidity, disability trajectories and successful aging models. Building on this foundation, the course examines how large datasets and public health methods are used to measure physical function, cognitive health, quality of life, performance and disability that are central to understanding health trajectories.
As the course progresses, you will apply these concepts to real-world global aging challenges, including health inequities, aging in place, healthcare access and the growing demographic shift toward older populations worldwide. The course concludes with an integrative discussion of successful aging and the factors that shape resilience and well-being across the lifespan.
Throughout the course, you will become familiar with research designs and methods for population health. You will develop competency in evaluating population level data, understanding the assessment of health and disability conditions specific to older adults and communicating findings through both written and oral formats. By the end of the semester, you will be prepared to critically assess population-based interventions and research initiatives aimed at improving healthy aging outcomes and advancing equity in aging societies.
Course Goals
This course is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of population health and epidemiology as they apply to aging societies and global longevity trends. Students will:
- build a strong conceptual foundation in population health and epidemiology as they relate;
- examine how ecological models and functional measures inform research on aging outcomes;
- strengthen their ability to interpret, critique, and apply population based research findings;
- develop skills for evaluating interventions and policies that influence healthy aging; and
- communicate effectively about population health issues using both written and oral formats to inform research, policy and clinical decision-making.
