Gerontologic and geriatric education in the USA

Training in gerontology in American institutes of higher education is conceptualized and realized in response to present societal demands. Although plurality of approaches prevails, gerontology has become an institutionalized discipline which in its research, training and application is formally sponsored by the national government. Programs are offered in many colleges and universities and assessed in terms of scientific excellence, of efficiency in teaching knowledge from multiple disciplines, and in terms of practicality. But still, problems of poor research and "quasi-professional" teaching, as well as of insufficiently founded practical work concern gerontologists. In a time of expansion, "instant gerontologists" have become a threat to the field. A brief "instant gerontologists" have become a threat to the field. A brief overview on questions presently discussed among teachers in gerontology is given, and a model-institution for gerontological training is briefly described, the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California.     

Osteoporosis in Sweden

Sweden has one of the highest incidences of hip fractures in the world and we have started to consider osteoporosis as an important disease. We have created guidelines for BMD measurements and the recommendations for treatment are based on risk assessment. New guidelines for treatment with drugs will soon be developed by the Swedish FDA.     

12 years' analysis of serum fatty acids--final results of the Leipzig Longitudinal Gerontologic Study

In the Leipzig longitudinal study performed from 1968 to 1980 in 383 test persons with healthy metabolism in 2-3 years time intervals gas-chromatographic analyses of the serum fatty acid pattern were carried out. In dependence upon age, sex, and body-weight the vasoprotective linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acid increased and the vasoaggressive palmitic and eicosatrienic acid decreased. Influences of age as well as the change of the feeding habits are causally discussed for this purpose.