- The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The primary purpose of the Society — and its 5,000+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
- GSA members affiliate with one of four Sections: Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Behavioral and Social Sciences, or Social Research, Policy and Practice. Student members additionally become a part of GSA’s Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO).
- The Society’s headquarters and sole office is located in Washington, DC. Its staff — working with an elected Council, editors, and various committees — manages all the activities of the organization.
- GSA publishes several peer-reviewed journals: The Gerontologist, The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological and Medical Sciences, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, and the Journal of Aging, Humanities, and the Arts. A monthly newsletter, Gerontology News, is also sent to members.
- The Society organizes a four-day Annual Scientific Meeting, which attracts over 3,500 professionals for more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific sessions and approximately 100 technical and educational exhibits.
- GSA’s public education program offers an Expert Referral Service (a database of experts on nearly every aspect of aging), regular press releases, and congressional briefings on current gerontological research.
- Further, the Society manages several special projects, including two programs funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation on Geriatric Social Work; the Minority Issues in Aging Project, which promotes multidisciplinary research on minority aging issues and recruits more minority researchers into gerontology; the Campus Ambassadors Program, which is a grassroots network that fosters the study of gerontology among students; and AgeWork, a computerized job site. Increasingly popular are the GSA Interest Groups that have been formed around specific topics that cut across disciplines.
- GSA has two special units: The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and the National Academy on an Aging Society (Academy). AGHE is a unique network of institutions dedicated to advancing scholarship in gerontology. It also publishes the Gerontology & Geriatrics Education journal. NAAS, a policy institute, publishes the Public Policy & Aging Report as well as public policy and civic engagement e-newsletters.
