Q: What does Healthy Ageing mean? Does the UMCG focus on elderly care?

A: Healthy Ageing was selected by the Board of the University of Groningen as one of the three topics that bind all teaching and research at the University (the other two are Energy and Sustainable Society). Consequently, the common thread running through and binding all of the research and education taking place at the UMCG is that of Healthy Ageing. This is seen as a lifelong process beginning at conception. From their diverse perspectives, all UMCG researchers aim to contribute to the unravelling of the question as to why different people age differently. The approaches they take can range from those of basic molecular and cellular biology studies, to psycho-social factors, epidemiology and larger public health questions that impact ageing. So in short, the concept of Healthy Ageing is much wider than just elderly care. If you are curious about what this may imply, check out the European Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA) as a part of the UMCG.