By The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Aging research at the University of Illinois at Chicago is getting a healthy boost from the National Institutes of Health.
The Midwest Roybal Center at UIC is among nine sites getting renewed funding for studies testing health programs to improve older Americans' lives.
The UIC's grant totals nearly $2 million. Its research includes the Fit and Strong program involving low-cost physical activity to help older adults cope with arthritis.
The program provides an hour of exercise, and a half hour of health education three times weekly for eight weeks. It's been shown to reduce lower-back and joint stiffness and pain.
Besides renewing funding, the NIH has designated several new centers, with grant money totaling more than $23 million over the next five years.