Fact Sheet

• The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
• Founded in 1945, GSA is the driving force behind advancing innovation in aging — both domestically and internationally. Its members come from more than 50 countries. The Society’s headquarters is located in Washington, DC. Its staff, Board of Directors, and many volunteer leaders manage all the activities of the organization.
• GSA fosters collaboration between physicians, nurses, biologists, behavioral and social scientists, psychologists, social workers, economists, policy experts, those who study the humanities and the arts, and many other scholars and researchers in aging. This stems from the belief that the intersection of research from diverse areas is the best way to achieve the greatest impact and promote healthy aging. Through networking and mentorship opportunities, GSA provides a professional “home” for career gerontologists and students at all levels.
• GSA publishes the longest-running and most widely-cited peer-reviewed journals in its field: The Gerontologist; The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences; The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences; and Innovation in Aging. A monthly newsletter, Gerontology News, and a semi-monthly e-newsletter, GSA Announcements, are also sent to members.
• GSA convenes an Annual Scientific Meeting, which showcases the latest advancements in gerontological research. This event attracts approximately 4,000 professionals each year, and the program consists of nearly 500 peer-reviewed scientific sessions featuring new research.
• GSA has six membership groups: the Academy for Gerontology is Higher Education (which has an official journal, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education); Behavioral and Social Sciences Section; Biological Sciences Section; the Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (for students and recent graduates); Health Sciences Section; and Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section.
• GSA’s policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, conducts and compiles research on issues related to population aging and provides information to the public, the press, policymakers, and the academic community. It publishes the quarterly journal Public Policy & Aging Report, as well as a public policy e-newsletter.
• GSA has guided the study of aging for 75 years. It was instrumental in establishing the National Institute on Aging and has helped shaped the agenda for every White House Conference on Aging. The Society also is a founding member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations and plays prominent roles in many other coalitions.
• In light of the growing demands of the older adult population, a GSA Corporate Advisory Panel works strategically with the Society to address the multi-faceted issues impacting aging research, education, practice, and business models. Tackling the issues and challenges being placed on industry, government, the healthcare system, communities, families, and individuals, the panel identifies solutions that address the ever-growing need for innovative technology, products, services, and support.
• GSA has established itself as a convener of multi-stakeholder collaborations in the field of aging. These have resulted in such initiatives as Communicating with Older Adults; Cognitive Impairment Detection and Earlier Diagnosis; Human-Animal Interaction and Healthy Aging; Oral Health: An Essential Element of Healthy Aging; What We Know and Can Do About Malnutrition; and Pain Management in Older Adults; and the National Adult Vaccination Program.
• GSA is the home of the Reframing Aging Initiative, a long-term social change endeavor designed to improve the public’s understanding of what aging means and what contributions older people bring to society. Ultimately, this understanding will counter ageism and guide our nation’s approach to ensuring healthy and productive aging for all people across the life course.
• As a premier source for public information, GSA issues regular press releases, leads social media campaigns, holds congressional briefings on current research, and maintains a database of experts on nearly every aspect of aging. GSA manages a fellowship program that connects reporters with researchers and seeks to expand accurate coverage of aging-related issues.
• GSA provides many other benefits to its members and the gerontological community at large. Among them, it oversees Careers in Aging Week, which cultivates awareness of the many professional opportunities in the field; AgeWork, an online resource with job listings; and an awards program considered to be the field’s most prestigious. Members have exclusive access to GSA Connect, an online networking platform that features discussion communities, resource libraries, and a searchable directory. Increasingly popular are the GSA Interest Groups that have been formed around specific topics that cut across disciplines. And the GSA Innovation Fund, sustained by contributions, supports the development of programs, products, and services for members.