An agenda for clinical research in geriatrics

The health of the older segment of the population is affected by two types of problems: those that cause death and those that cause disability. Both types need to be studied. All levels of investigation, from basic clinical research to applied health services research, are needed. Areas of investigation must include the killer diseases (cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer) and disability-causing conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and metabolic, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and special sense disorders. Pharmacotherapeutics and disease management are also subjects that deserve attention. Problems related to race and gender differences, health services research, and technology development and assessment need to be addressed. Clinical investigators in geriatrics must be recruited and trained, and funding for their activities must be increased.