About the Center

Midlife is approximately the ages of 40 - 64. The Center for Midlife Science specializes in the study of multifaceted diseases and health conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, sensory and physical function impairment, particularly their initiation and progression during the midlife.The Center also broadly supports cohort studies focused on other critical life stages and on understudied diseases. Our faculty and affiliates work to understand the course of development of these conditions, as well as the factors that contribute to variations in the course of development, such as genetics, environment and aging. The Center houses two 25+ year cohort studies of midlife aging, the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) and the Michigan Bone Health and Metabolism Study (descended from the Tecumseh Community Health Study), a cohort study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (MILES), and a cohort study of neurobehavioral development (SEMILLA).

Mission

The Mission of the Center for Midlife Science is to create a translational research environment in which teams of investigators from multiple disciplines network and explore the feasibility of multi-system, cross-disease approaches, linking cellular and population approaches, to the etiology, prevention, and control of diseases of major public health importance. A major goal of the Center is to enhance health and functioning by focusing on health transitions that occur during the midlife, and other critical life stages, and their consequences for healthy aging. Broadly the cohort of Center members are dedicated to collaboration and communication exchange in support of this mission.