Register now! Boston meeting will showcase latest aging discoveries

America's premier authorities on aging will share the most up-to-date news on the determinants of human longevity, seniors' economic security, the Older Americans Act, and other current topics at The Gerontological Society of America's upcoming 64th Annual Scientific Meeting. This event — the largest interdisciplinary conference in the field of aging — will take place from November 18 to 22 in Boston. GSA extends complimentary registration to working representatives of the media.

The theme for 2011 is "Lifestyle → Lifespan." Sessions will be held at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel. An estimated 3,500 professionals are expected to attend the five-day gathering, which includes more than 500 scientific sessions featuring research presented for the first time. The complete conference program, including a searchable abstract listing, is available at www.geron.org/press. Below are selected highlights:

Opening Plenary Session with Explorer and Author Dan Buettner
Time: Saturday, November 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Grand Ballroom
GSA's keynote speaker will be Dan Buettner, the New York Times best-selling author of "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest." Incorporating images from his work with National Geographic, Buettner will take attendees into the world's blue zones — regions with the longest life expectancy, disability-free life expectancy, or concentration of people over age 100.

Insights into Genetics and Nutrition in the Long-Lived
Time: Saturday, November 19, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Fairfax
How does ones' genetics contribute to life span? If one eats the right foods or less food, will he or she live longer? This session addresses our longest-lived populations and the studies that bring this information to light. The potential genetic and nutritional factors that may be responsible for or are linked to the observed longevity in these populations will be presented.

Saving Social Security: Is Raising the Retirement Age the Answer?
Time: Sunday, November 20, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Hynes 200
This symposium will examine from interdisciplinary perspective the impact of raising the eligibility age for full Social Security benefits, generally referred to as the retirement age. What accounts for political interest in increasing the age and what do reform proposals involve? Are older Americans able to work longer? What about age-related cognitive changes? What would an increase mean for women and minorities? What health interventions could help prolong working life?

The $10 Million Archon Genomics X PRIZE: The Genetics of Exceptional Longevity
Time: Monday, November 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Grand Ballroom
This session will examine the $10 million Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Medco, which is inviting teams from around the world to apply a variety of technologies to sequence 100 human genomes quickly, cheaply, and with incredible accuracy. Using the genomes of centenarians, the goal is to produce a consensus-driven standard for "medical grade" whole human genome sequencing.

Congressional Aging Issues Update
Time: Monday, November 21, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Hynes 202
Capitol Hill staffers, including representatives from the Senate Special Committee on Aging, will discuss this year's legislative developments and plans for aging and health policy in 2011. Topics will include the Older Americans Act reauthorization, income security, and health care reform implementation.

The Crossroads of Research, Policy, and Practice: The Future of the Older Americans Act and Title IV Programs for Vulnerable Older Adults
Time: Monday, November 21, 5 to 6 p.m.
Location: John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Hynes 210
In partnership with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), join U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee and NCOA President and CEO Jim Firman will host a joint question-and-answer session on vital components of the Older Americans Act.

The online conference program lists many other sessions with content relevant to older adults. Among these subjects are assistive technology for seniors, nutrition, and aging around the globe.

The complimentary media registration allows access to all scientific sessions and the Exhibit Hall. Badges and printed program materials can be picked up in the Press Room, which will be located in Hampton A and B at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

Registration information is available at www.geron.org/press.

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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.

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