Tag Archives for National Institutes of Health

The Rhode Island Congressman Who Changed Aging in America

 Published in RINewsToday on June 1, 2026

Over three weeks ago, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) organized a statewide gathering at the historic Rhode Island State House to observe this year’s Older Americans Month (OAM). The event brought together more than 135 attendees, including seniors, aging advocates, legislators, and state officials, filling the room to capacity.

During the 74-minute program, speakers addressed topics such as combating social isolation, increasing federal funding for community-based aging services, alerting attendees to financial scams targeting seniors, and discussing new models for elder care and housing. The event concluded with a reading of a gubernatorial proclamation honoring the Older Americans Act (OAA) and calling on Rhode Island lawmakers to support policies for the growing older adult community.

The event also focused on promoting the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that administers the OAA, and this year’s OAM theme: “Champion Your Health.” This theme encourages prevention, wellness, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility as key elements of healthy aging.

At the event, SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa announced that the Rhode Island State House Dome would be illuminated from May 13–16 as a tribute to Older Americans Month.

Beyond marking the month, this year’s celebration also centered on the legacy of former Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-RI), the primary sponsor of the legislation (Public Law 89-73) that established the Older Americans Act (OAA). He lived on a small family farm in the village of Harmony (part of Gloucester), Rhode Island.

A Rhode Island Congressman’s Legacy Recognized

Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Public Health,” Fogarty became one of the most powerful House lawmakers. He served in Congress from 1941 until his death in 1967. A former bricklayer and president of Bricklayers Union No. 1 of Rhode Island, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare. He used his legislative skills to expand the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and transform federal healthcare funding. He was also instrumental in establishing the White House Conference on Aging and the OAA.

At SACRI’s May 6 event, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos praised Fogarty for his major impact on federal aging policy. “Older Americans Month gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to older adult Rhode Islanders. It is a true honor to join SACRI in celebrating the enduring legacy of Congressman John Fogarty, whose vision helped shape aging policy for generations. Today, we build on that legacy by continuing to champion the dignity, well-being, and contributions of every older Rhode Islander,” says the Lt. Governor.

SACRI’s Costa stated, “Congressman Fogarty has left a legacy on which so much progress has flowed. His quiet and powerful work is a reminder that RI is a leader in empowering older adults.”

Former Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty came to share personal memories of Fogarty, his uncle. He stressed that his uncle’s work on the OAA was driven by a simple philosophy: the government’s role was to help people. His success was built on personal connections with constituents in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.

“As Rhode Island’s population ages rapidly, my late uncle, Rep. John E. Fogarty, remains a powerful example of how we can protect the dignity and independence of older Rhode Islanders. The Older Americans Act, which he championed, continues to support vital programs for seniors across Rhode Island and the nation, says the former Lt. Gov.

Fogarty, a former Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs within the Department of Human Services from 2015 to 2018, added, “The Congressman’s legacy shaped my own work as Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs, now the Office of Healthy Aging. “I have focused on advancing efforts to empower and serve older adults,” he says.

Seven years before the 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA), Fogarty introduced legislation (H.R. 9822) to create the White House Conference on Aging. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law (Public Law 85-908) on September 2, 1958. The law established a national forum held every 10 years to address the challenges facing older Americans. The forum also developed policy recommendations to improve their economic security.

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the 1961 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) exposed a broken, patchwork system of elder care. It served as the blueprint for the 1965 Older Americans Act. The conference pushed Congress to move away from old “welfare” models and build a community-focused support network for all older adults. In the end, this paved the way for the creation of the Administration on Aging.

Two Times is the Charm

“According to an online article, “AARP Fights for Older Americans Act in 1965,” published on  Sept. 28, 2024, on AARP’s website, the organization played a key role in pushing for the passage of Fogarty’s OAA legislative proposal.  Building support for the Congressional passage of the OAA became AARP’s key legislative priority from 1961 to 1965, as noted.  In that article, Ernest Gidding, AARP’s legislative representative, said, “The bill meets the major organizational recommendations of the WHCoA and overcomes the present welfare stigma of aging.”

However, Fogarty and Sen. Patrick V. McNamara (D-MI) failed to pass their initial OAA proposal in both chambers on the first try.  Lawmakers had begun efforts to pass their legislative proposals (H.R. 7957/S. 2000) in 1963. While this initial attempt stalled and the legislative proposal died in session, it got the whole country talking about how we treat older Americans, planting the seeds for a major comeback.

Two years later, Fogarty would try again. This time, the bill gained unstoppable momentum. During the 89th Congress, logs show the proposal cleared the House Committee on Education and Labor on March 9, 1965, and passed the House on March 31 by an overwhelming 395-to-1 vote. After the Senate passed it on May 27 and the House accepted a minor Senate amendment on July 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Public Law 89-73 on July 14, 1965, in the White House Rose Garden, permanently changing how the nation funds and delivers support to older Americans.

“The OAA is to my mind one of the most significant laws ever passed by Congress,” said William C. “Bill Fitch,” AARP Executive Director from 1959 to 1967, in AARP’s online article.

At the signing, President Johnson stated:  “The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation’s sense of responsibility toward the well-being of all of our older citizens. But even more, the results of this act will help us expand our opportunities to enrich the lives of all our citizens in this country, now and in the years to come.”

The President added: “This legislation is really the seed-corn that provides an orderly, intelligent, and constructive program to help us meet the new dimensions of responsibilities which lie ahead in the remaining years of this century.”

A Final Note…

 According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Fogarty spent 26 years in Congress, spanning portions of 14 Congresses from the 77th to the 90th, fighting for causes that improved the lives of millions of Americans. The Rhode Island Congressman was a strong believer in the power of government to advance health, education, and opportunity. He helped secure federal funding for medical research, health care, libraries, and programs serving older adults and people with disabilities.

 Some of Fogarty’s most lasting legislative achievements were the Hill-Fogarty “Health for Peace” initiative, which expanded international medical research and training, and the Library Services Act, which provided federal support to rural libraries. He also helped pass important laws that improved research and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as educational opportunities for blind and deaf Americans. According to records from the National Institutes of Health and Congress, these efforts continued to shape public policy long after Fogarty left office and are still part of his legacy.

Fogarty also spent years introducing the bills that led to the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1965, noted Thomas J. McAndrew, Esq., of Thomas J. McAndrew & Associates.

Building on Fogarty’s legislative achievements, McAndrew, serving as treasurer of the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, also recalls that his father-in-law was honored with the National Heart of the Year Award on Feb. 3, 1966 – less than a year before he would die of a heart attack on Jan. 10, 1967 in his Washington, D.C. office at the age of 53.  

McAndrew calls Fogarty “Everybody’s Congressman” in Rhode Island and points out that he was one of the state’s most important legislators in Congress. He also mentions his skill in influencing colleagues and gaining support for his legislative work.

He recalls that the Congressman rarely issued press releases or promoted himself, instead dedicating his attention to issues that benefited the American people and humanity.

McAndrew asks: “Where have these wonderful public servants gone?”

For more details about the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, call 401-274-3279 or visit the website, http://www.fogartyfoundation.org.

To watch SARCI’s State House OAA event, go to The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI – Older Americans Month: 5-6-2026

To view votes from SARCI’s Older Americans Month celebration, go to Out and About in RI: SACRI’s Celebration of Older Americans Month (photos)

To see a Drone’s view of the lighted State Capitol, go to State House Senior Coalition Final.mp4 – Google Drive

URI Lecture on Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan, in Aging Well 

Published in RINewsToday on April 20, 2026

Over 300 people packed Edwards Auditorium on the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Kingston Campus on April 7th to attend the 20th annual Malford Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics. This year, Dr. Laura Kubzansky from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health spoke, offering research-based, practical tips for living longer and better.

Each year, URI’s lecture highlights important issues related to aging, with particular attention given to policies and programs affecting older adults. Dr. Phillip G. Clark, director of URI’s Program in Gerontology and the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, expressed excitement in focusing on personal attributes and longevity at this lecture.

Clark, who serves as emcee, explained that the lecture aims to unite different fields and engage people outside academia. “We show that every field contributes to understanding aging,” he said, adding, “we work hard to keep it accessible—grounded in science but understandable to the general public.”

This message is particularly relevant to Rhode Island. After Clark introduced the event, URI Provost Barbara Wolfe welcomed everyone and highlighted that more than 20% of Rhode Islanders are now aged 65 or older, achieving “super-aging” status. She emphasized that this demographic shift will significantly affect the state’s future budget.

Wolfe also highlighted that by 2050, about 2 billion people worldwide will be age 60 and over, underscoring the significance of the Ocean State’s graying population.

“As a public flagship university, we believe it’s our responsibility to get involved with important social, economic, and policy issues like aging,” says Wolfe.

Building on Wolfe’s remarks, Kubzansky brought decades of expertise to the lecture. She has studied how psychological well-being connects to physical health. Her research examines both traditional risk factors and how traits like optimism and social connection affect health over time.

The Harvard professor has led or co-led many research projects funded by organizations such as the Veterans Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research.

Focusing on “Healthspan” Rather Than Only Lifespan

In her one-hour lecture, “Optimism and Kindness: Ingredients for a Long and Healthy Life,” Kubzansky urged researchers and the public to rethink how we approach aging. She explained that we should aim not only to live longer, but to remain healthy for more years, free from long-term illness or disability.

Kubzansky describes an “asset-based approach” to health as part of this new way of thinking. This approach means focusing on positive resources or strengths—such as optimism, kindness, and strong relationships—rather than only on problems like stress or depression.

Meanwhile, she suggested that researchers should also study how these positive traits and experiences influence health.  She explained that for a long time, physicians doubted whether these factors truly affect physical health. But now, research increasingly shows their impact.

Kubzansky cited studies showing that activities such as volunteering, spending time in nature, and building social connections improve health and extend life.

She also explained that negative experiences, such as loneliness or post-traumatic stress disorder, increase the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

“The key question,” she said, “is whether positive factors do more than just show the absence of something negative, and if they actually offer their own unique benefits.”

Kubzansky cited a study that suggests optimistic people live about 15% longer and are 24% more likely to age in good health. These benefits extend beyond the absence of depression.

This leads to an important question for researchers: ” She asks, can improving mental well-being also improve one’s physical health?

“If we can improve psychosocial functioning,” Kubzansky said, “we may also be able to improve physical health later on. That’s a very promising idea for healthy aging.”

Kubzansky discussed a large United Kingdom study that found people who volunteer or donate to charity experience less chronic pain years later. She noted that another long-term study links loneliness to a much higher risk of heart disease.

One of the most striking research findings Kubzansky shared came from the Baltimore Experience Corps Study. It showed that older adults who volunteered slowed the decline in brain volume, essentially turning back the clock on brain aging by about three years.  She found these results both “striking and encouraging.”  She said, “They’re solid, have been repeated in other studies, and show actions people can really take.”

At the end of the lecture, the question and answer session allowed Kubzansky to discuss topics she hadn’t covered earlier. She talked about practical issues, such as the roles and impacts of pets, family, and faith communities on health; research topics, such as causality and financial differences; and broader social questions, such as optimism among younger people. These conversations helped connect her research to real-life situations.

 A Rhode Island Gerontologist’s Perspective

For URI’s Clark, this year’s Malford Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics demonstrated that researchers increasingly approach aging in new ways.

“There’s more focus now on human flourishing,” he said, emphasizing Kubzansky’s work at Harvard as a prime example. He stressed that this research challenges old assumptions about aging.

“Many people tend to associate aging with decline,” Clark said. “But research tells us that’s not the whole story,” he continued.

Clark said what stood out most to him during Kubzansky’s presentation was the idea that people have more control over their health than they might realize. “Each of us can develop habits and ways of thinking that improve our chances of living longer and staying healthier,” he said.

Many of these new habits are simple and easy to start, says Clark, including volunteering, staying active, spending time outdoors, or keeping in touch with friends. Even small things, such as caring for a pet or gardening, can make a difference, he says.

For people who have trouble getting around, connecting with friends or family by phone, joining online groups, taking virtual classes, or writing letters can be meaningful. The most important thing is to find activities—big or small—that work for each person and help them build positive connections with others.

Clark sees loneliness as a major social problem that the entire community and system must address—not just individuals.

Volunteering stands out in particular. “People often gain as much or even more from it than those they help,” Clark observed. Having a sense of personal agency is central to all of this. While genetics plays a role, Clark pointed out that research shows we control about 30 percent of our lifespan.

“The takeaway of the lecture,” he said, “is that a positive outlook matters. Even when things are difficult, there are ways to respond that support better health.”

In summary, Kubzansky’s lecture aimed to change how people think about aging, moving beyond just a medical view to one that also values psychological and social well-being. She encouraged everyone—academics, URI students, and community members—to think more broadly about what it means to age well.

Hopefully, her evidence-based arguments may inspire Congress, state policymakers, and public health leaders to allocate more funding to programs that foster social connections, kindness, and a sense of purpose. Attendees heard Kubzansky make a strong scientific case for volunteering, maintaining strong social ties, staying positive, and looking forward. Yes, these practical steps can extend not just your lifespan, but also your healthspan.

In 2006, URI started the Malford Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics to get people talking and thinking about aging. It is named after Dr. Malford W. Thewlis, a pioneer in geriatric medicine and co-founder of the American Geriatrics Society in 1942. He lived in Wakefield and wrote an early textbook on geriatrics, “The Care of the Aged: Geriatrics,” first published in 1919. He was also an amateur magician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

To view Kubzansky’s lecture, go to

2026 Thewlis Lecture “Optimism and Kindness: Ingredients for a Long and Healthy Life” Laura Kubzansky

HHS Shake-Up Sends Shockwaves Through Aging Network

Published on April 31, 2025

Taking a page from President Donald J. Trump’s to “Make America Great Again,” last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a major restructuring of the federal agency to “Make America Healthy Again.” The dramatic restructuring in accordance with Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under management of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., last week announced a major restructuring and renaming of the federal agency under the initiative “Make America Healthy Again.” This dramatic reorganization follows Trump’s Executive Order, Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.

“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a statement announcing the massive overhaul. “This Department will do more—much more—at a lower cost to taxpayers.”

“Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient, even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants,” Kennedy added. “This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and those HHS serves. That’s the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”

During the Biden administration, HHS’s budget increased by 38%, and its staffing grew by 17%, prompting the new HHS chief to place the federal agency on the budgetary chopping block.

According to HHS, this restructuring will not impact critical services while saving taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction of approximately 10,000 full-time employees. When combined with other cost-cutting initiatives, including early retirement, and the Fork in the Road program, the total downsizing will reduce HHS’s workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 employees.

HHS also plans to streamline departmental functions. Currently, the agency’s 28 divisions contain redundant units. Under the restructuring plan announced on March 27, 2025, these units will be consolidated into 15 new divisions, including a newly created Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Additionally, core organizational functions—such as Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, External Affairs, and Policy—will be centralized. The number of regional offices will be cut from 10 to five.

As part of the restructuring, several agencies will see workforce reductions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will cut approximately 3,500 full-time employees, focusing on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions, though HHS asserts these reductions will not affect drug, medical device, or food reviewers, nor inspectors.

Similarly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will downsize by approximately 2,400 employees, refocusing its efforts on epidemic and outbreak response. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will eliminate 1,200 positions by centralizing procurement, human resources, and communications across its 27 institutes and centers. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cut around 300 positions, targeting minor duplication within the agency. HHS insists these changes will not impact Medicare or Medicaid services, but improve them.

Restructuring HHS to Focus on Chronic Illness Prevention

HHS’s overhaul aligns with the agency’s new priority of ending America’s chronic illness epidemic by focusing resources on ensuring safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins.

The Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) will consolidate five agencies—the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—into a single entity. This unification aims to enhance health resource coordination for low-income Americans, emphasizing primary care, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, HIV/AIDS, and workforce development.

Additionally, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, responsible for national disaster and public health emergency response, will be transferred to the CDC to strengthen its core mission of protecting Americans from health threats.

To combat waste, fraud, and abuse, HHS will create a new Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, overseeing the Departmental Appeals Board, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, and the Office for Civil Rights.

Furthermore, HHS will merge the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to form the Office of Strategy, enhancing research to inform policy decisions.
Critical programs under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which supports older adults and people with disabilities, will be integrated into other HHS agencies, including the Administration for Children and Families, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). HHS assures that these changes will not impact Medicare or Medicaid services.

Sounding the Alarm

Following the announcement of HHS’s restructuring plans, which would broad without a lot of detail, aging advocacy groups quickly released statements to voice strong concerns.

“For decades, the federal health programs that retirees and people with disabilities depend on have been ably administered under both Democratic and Republican administrations. However, the radical cutbacks proposed by the Trump administration place the delivery of these programs in jeopardy,” warned Dan Adcock, Director of Government Relations & Policy at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM).

Adcock also noted that HHS plans to eliminate the ALC and divide its responsibilities between two offices with no prior experience in this area. “This administration has already demonstrated a reckless disregard for public interests in favor of slashing operations and staff under the guise of ‘efficiency,’” he added. “So far, all they have done is create chaos and confusion, disrupting essential programs for seniors and the disabled. We view Secretary Kennedy’s plans with alarm.”

Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at AARP, also urged HHS to prioritize older Americans’ health needs. “HHS must ensure access to senior centers, community health centers, nutritious meals, Medicare assistance, and other vital services that countless older Americans rely on. Health is central to the lives, well-being, and financial security of AARP’s members and the more than 100 million Americans over age 50,” she emphasized.

Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, echoed these concerns. “The announcement of workforce cuts at HHS comes at a time of unprecedented growth in America’s aging population. The proposed reorganization of ACL and its integration into other agencies requires careful consideration.”

Fulmer stressed that ACL administers programs essential to older adults’ daily lives, such as meal delivery, transportation to medical appointments, and chronic disease management. Absorbing these functions with far fewer staff demands careful planning. The government’s commitment to older adults requires a cautious approach, she said.

The Center for Medicare Advocacy also expressed deep concerns, particularly regarding plans to restructure ACL and consolidate oversight of Medicare appeals. “Given what we have seen with Social Security Administration cuts and restructuring, HHS’s claim that these changes won’t impact critical services rings hollow,” said Co-Director David Lipschutz.

LeadingAge, a national association representing nonprofit aging services providers, called for HHS to ensure older adults and their caregivers are not overlooked. “Cutting staff responsible for critical agency functions raises serious concerns. How will the work our members rely on get done? How will this impact quality care for older adults?” asked President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan.

Sloan also cautioned that reducing HHS’s field offices from 10 to five could impact CMS’s ability to oversee nursing home surveys and provider compliance. “A 25% workforce reduction must be undertaken with extreme care—especially given the millions of older adults who depend on these services,” she emphasized.

For a fact sheet on the HHS restructuring, visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/hhs-restructuring-doge-fact-sheet.html