Behavioral and Social Research to Accelerate the Geroscience Translation Agenda

Geroscience is the study of how to slow biological aging to extend healthspan and longevity. Geroscience has not heretofore incorporated behavioral or social-science methods or findings into its agenda, but the current expansion of the agenda to human trials of anti-aging therapies will be greatly aided by behavioral and social science. This article recommends some ways in which geroscience can be augmented through collaboration with behavioral and social science to: accomplish translation from animal models to humans; inform the design of clinical trials of anti-aging therapies; develop outcome measures for evaluating efficacy of anti-aging therapies, and reduce and not exacerbate health disparities.