For four decades, Gothenburg has been a world leader in research into quality of life for the elderly. The University of Gothenburg (GU) is now set to receive a total of SEK 86 million to further develop its research. Among other initiatives, the university will open an interdisciplinary center for geriatric research.
The Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forte) will invest SEK 50 million over a ten-year period to help establish the center at the University of Gothenburg. In addition, two large research studies will each receive SEK 18 million in funding over the next six years.
“Simply put, Gothenburg researchers are the best. That’s why they alone are receiving funding to establish a center,” explains Erland Hjelmquist, Forte’s Secretary-General.
This major new investment has been made possible by the government’s Research and Innovation Bill, enacted this past spring.
“Swedish geriatric research is strong. We’re happy to be able to give these researchers the opportunity to implement their ideas across a broad spectrum of issues,” Hjelmquist adds.
The Research Council usually allocates grants on a three-year basis, but in this case, funds will be given to Gothenburg researchers up until 2023.
Professor Ingmar Skoog of the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy will head the work to establish the new center. Presently, Professor Skoog is managing the large-scale Gerontological and Geriatric Population Study known as H70, which began in 1971 when over 1,000 70-year-olds living in Gothenburg were interviewed about their lives. They were then examined regularly until their deaths. The researchers associated with the project continue to perform new examinations on 70-year-olds, making it possible to compare the way different generations age. Next year, it will be the turn of Gothenburg residents born in 1944.
“The study is unique because it’s so extensive and includes everything from social factors to neurochemical analyses. Moreover, we’re investigating the entire spectrum of mental illness in elderly people, which is not so common,” Skoog explains.
The new center will gather together psychological, sociological, neurochemical, and other research.
“We take a holistic approach to the elderly that covers all aspects, from biological individual to ‘social animal’. This kind of comprehensive approach is otherwise lacking today and our research results can help the elderly lead more active lives. We need to learn more about what happens when we age, because the average age of our population is increasing,” Skoog continues.
Gothenburg is home to a number of world-leading researchers, who will now be gathered together at the university’s new research center. The grants will help GU both to retain good researchers and to recruit new staff from abroad.
“This major investment will provide a financial foundation that will allow us to undertake larger studies. It will also make it easier for us to collaborate across the university’s departments. At the same time, it’s a clear signal from Forte to the Västra Götaland region and the City of Gothenburg’s politicians that Gothenburg’s geriatric research is worth investing in,” concludes Professor Skoog.
Over and above the establishment of the new center, Forte is also providing support for two specific research projects at the University of Gothenburg. Professor Ingmar Skoog will receive SEK 18 million for research into psychological and cognitive health in relation to functional ability and chronic illness in the elderly.
Boo Johansson’s research group at the Department of Psychology will receive the same amount in support of its study of how people adjust to retirement with a focus on their psychological health.
According to Skoog, the support provided to these two projects will also benefit the new center in its work.
