BOAAs

Boards of Older Adult Advisors

As the U.S. population grows older, supporting healthy aging becomes even more important. Yet older adults are often underrepresented in health research, even among studies on issues that most often affect them.

That’s why, in 2022, WINRS worked with the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) to coordinate two Boards of Older Adult Advisors (BOAAs).

BOAA meetings are co-facilitated by CARE and the WINRS Staff.

Adapted from the practices of CARDS and the Bureau of Sages, the mission of these two advisory boards is to provide feedback on project and recruitment materials, with a specific focus on research projects geared towards aging and the well-being of older adults.

Black and white photograph of a group of people gathered around a table indoors, with one person holding a cake that reads "Listen to your Elders."

Black and white photograph showing a row of seated elderly individuals facing left, suggesting a group setting such as a waiting room or meeting. The focus is on their side profiles and varied hairstyles, with a blurred background emphasizing depth and context

Who are BOAA Members?

One board consists of individuals from Madison, Wisconsin, and the other consists of members from smaller, rural communities across Wisconsin.

Madison BOAA members predominantly identify as Black, with diverse personal and professional backgrounds. Rural BOAA members all identify as white and include military veterans, farmers, and residents of under-resourced communities.

Black and white photograph of three people seated at a table during a meeting or discussion, with papers and a laptop visible on the table. The setting appears to be an office or conference room with natural light coming through windows in the background.

Health researchers meet with one or both BOAAs to get their input throughout the research process, from study design to recruiting materials to data analysis to dissemination strategies.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about bringing your research questions to the BOAAs, contact Diane at
farsetta@wisc.edu or 608-265-9542.