Institute for Health & Aging

The Institute for Health & Aging (IHA) is the University of California's first campuswide organized research unit (ORU) and the only ORU in the UCSF School of Nursing. 

The work of the Institute includes extensive and successful research, training, and public service in the areas of aging, health, and health policy. Since being established in 1985, IHA has been successful in obtaining $326 million in extramural funding and establishing partnerships and collaborations within the university as well as with external groups, particularly with the California Department of Public Health. Initially centered on aging and health policy, IHA has expanded its mission over the years to encompass a broader focus on health across the life course, tackling critical issues such as chronic illness, health disparities, women’s health, and the social, economic, and environmental impacts of tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances.

You can learn more about the Institute’s research focus areas, team members, news, and publications by visiting the IHA website.

Our Work

IHA's research portfolio is sorted into seven core focus areas:

• Women's Health
• Aging and Life Course Health
• Health and the Arts
• Equity Sciences
• Health Economics and Health Policy
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Health Workforce

In addition to our seven core focus areas, our approach includes three foundational pillars: Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health, Solutions Designed for People and Communities, and Purpose-Built Methods.