The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has chosen Robert Binstock, PhD, of Case Western Reserve University as the 2011 recipient of the M. Powell Lawton Award.
This distinguished honor recognizes a significant contribution in gerontology that has led to an innovation in gerontological treatment, practice or service, prevention, amelioration of symptoms or barriers, or a public policy change that has led to some practical application that improves the lives of older persons. It is sponsored by the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life's Polisher Research Institute and is named in memory of M. Powell Lawton, PhD, for his outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 18 to 22 in Boston, MA. This conference is organized to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, and practitioners who specialize in the study of the aging process. Visit www.geron.org/annualmeeting for further details.
Binstock is a professor of aging, health, and society at Case Western Reserve University. His primary tenured appointments are in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the School of Medicine, and in the School of Nursing. He holds secondary appointments as a professor in the Departments of Bioethics, Medicine, Political Science, and Sociology. He is a former GSA president who has also served as the director of a White House Task Force on Older Americans and as chairman and member of a number of advisory panels to the U.S. government, state and local governments, and foundations. He has frequently testified before the U.S. Congress. Binstock's studies have made a significant impact on policies regarding aging. For example, his substantial body of research on the Older Americans Act has directly improved the targeting of services to economically and socially disadvantaged older persons, and developed the basic concept for today's Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
Binstock's publication record includes over 300 articles, books, book chapters, and monographs. Among his 26 authored or edited books are "Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America" (co-authored with James Schulz, PhD) and seven editions of the "Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences" (most of them co-edited with Linda George, PhD). Binstock also has received the Donald P. Kent Award and the Brookdale Prize Award from GSA; the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Key Award from the American Public Health Association's Gerontological Health Section; the American Society on Aging Award and the American Society on Aging's Hall of Fame Award; the Ollie A. Randall Award from the National Council on Aging; the UCLA Distinguished Professorship Award; and the Hovorka Prize from Case Western Reserve University. Binstock is a GSA fellow, which represents the Society's highest class of membership. He received his AB and PhD degrees in political science from Harvard University.
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 5,400+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA's structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational branch, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.