The demographic challenges of a nation growing older and living longer are forcing Americans to confront the roles of government and the private sector in serving older adults and their families. The doubling of the 65-plus population over the next 25 years raises a host of important policy and political issues whose solutions will require a balanced, analytical, and thoughtful approach.
THE CENTER
Established in 1997, the Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA) studies the major policy issues affecting our aging society, including Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, and the societal implications that accompany the aging of the baby boom generation and their children. CPRA is housed at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
MISSION
In recognition of the growing diversity of the elderly population, the CPRA focuses special attention on policy issues as they affect Latino, African-American, Asian, and other ethnic populations. As a national, state, and local resource center on aging policy, the CPRA conducts research, fosters multidisciplinary collaboration among UCLA faculty, and works closely with policy makers, service providers, and community groups in meeting the challenges of an aging society.
REACH
The policy research of the CPRA has been featured in a host of national and international venues including policy briefings to the U.S. Congress and the California State Legislature, major presentations at the World Assembly on Aging and international conferences throughout the Pacific Rim and Latin America as well as a variety of media outlets. The publications of the CPRA (policy briefs, journal articles, and books) have gained widespread circulation throughout policymaking centers and academia.
NETWORK
Since its inception, the CPRA has received more than $1.8 million from foundations, government institutions, and private-sector entities. It has gained national recognition for informing and educating the public, policy leaders, the print and digital media, and community groups about the issues of Social Security reform and its impact on minority elderly, the aging of the Latino Baby Boomer cohort, financial and retirement security challenges in ethnic communities, and, most recently, the relevance of immigration reform politics to the aging population.
