The goal of The Center for Multidisciplinary
Research in Aging (CMRA) is to promote the multifaceted quality of
life in late life. Many of our studies focus on promoting understanding of
quality of life and of the so-called 'subjective well-being' phenomenon and its
determinants. In addition, an essential part of our work is the development of
new appropriate research
tools, which contribute to increase our understanding and enhance knowledge in
a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to, gerontology,
geriatrics, physiology, biology, medicine, sociology of health, psychology, and
interdisciplinary research between these fields.
Older adults in Israel are a unique heterogeneous
population comprised of Jewish immigrants from more than a hundred countries
including about 200,000 Holocaust survivors, Arabs, and Israeli born citizens.
Since culture plays a significant role in perceptions of health, function,
health-related behaviors and subjective well-being, studies conducted on the
various culturally different population groups are of utmost importance for
enhancing evidence-based implementation of appropriate intervention
programs. One of the ways to
achieve this goal and improve quality of life in elderly persons is to conduct
interdisciplinary research and then introduce beneficial research findings and
new policies and practices by providing evidence-based information to
Israel's Ministries and other Israeli authorities, policymakers, service
providers (public and private), the professional community, and the public.
The Center was established in the year 2000 with the goal of
fostering a synergistic environment for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
research and education in Geriatrics and Gerontology. The Center’s
location within Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), and its affiliation
with the nearby Soroka Medical Center, ensures access to a rich variety of departments
and other resources relevant to research in aging.
The CMRA also houses ILC-Israel, a
member of the International
Longevity Center Global Alliance (ILC-GA). The
CMRA has been awarded membership to the Global
Ageing Research Network (GARN) of International Association of
Gerontology & Geriatrics and has been designated one of the network’s
Collaborating Centers.
Head of the CMRA and of ILC Israel: Prof.Sara Carmel (head of the CMRA since 2004)
First head of the CMRA: Prof. Amiela Globerson