Age Boom Academy

The unprecedented increase in average life expectancy known as the longevity revolution means that a baby boomer turns 50 every 7.6 seconds. From Botox to Social Security, more stories on every beat have to account for the perils and promises of aging societies. The Age Boom Academy is an intensive week-long seminar designed to deepen journalists' understanding of how the aging of the world's population is affecting politics, the economy, and just about every other aspect of their beats.

The Academy Program

Age Boom Academy sessions are held annually at the ILC-USA's headquarters in New York City and over 100 journalists have attended the institute since its founding in 2000. Participants also travel to related sites in the metropolitan area. The weeklong discussions are led by Dr. Robert Butler, ILC-USA President and CEO. Other "professors" have included experts in biology, medicine, longevity science, aging and the future of medicine, media, religion, the economics of aging, and aging in societies around the world.

Academy Partners

The program is supported with a seed money grant from the New York Times Company Foundation. The foundation encourages the fellows who attend to be designated as “New York Times Fellows,” a much sought after designation for journalists. The reputation is directly related to the high caliber coverage of a wide range of aging and longevity topics across public affairs, economic, health and other realms of journalism.

2008 Age Boom Academy

June 1-6, 2008: The Politics of Aging and Longevity

The 9th Annual Age Boom Academy will be held in early June. Gearing up for the presidential elections, the program will be themed “Politics of Aging and Longevity”. Special emphasis will be placed on the Presidential election and topics include Social Security, Medicare, the older voter, healthcare reform, human rights and more.

Confirmed presentations include:

The Social Security Debate: 2008 Presidential Candidates
Richard Leone, Ph.D., President of The Century Foundation

Ageism in the Media
Don Hewitt, Former Executive Producer of 60 Minutes, CBS News

Lobbying for Longevity Science
Daniel Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research

The Truth about Nursing Home Regulation
Trudy Lieberman, Director of Health & Medical Reporting at City University of New York

Application Process

Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Age Boom Academy in New York City June 1-6. Applications will be accepted until April 15. To apply, please send a letter of interest, an updated resume and three recent samples of your work. Please send the information to:

Age Boom Academy Selection Committee
International Longevity Center - USA
60 East 86th St.
New York, NY 10028
Fax: 212-288-3132
Email: meganm@ilcusa.org

Journalists interested in more information may contact Megan McIntyre at meganm@ilcusa.org or 212-606-3380.

Academy Alumni Testimonials

“At a time that longevity has become a huge national issue, the Age Boom Academy is the world’s best crash course on aging issues for journalists”
--Bill Neikirk, Chicago Tribune

“The Age Boom Academy provides a guided tour of the next frontier of science, a place where the answers are changing, but so are the questions.”
--Pat Duggan, KING-TV, NBC

“The ABA is an unparalleled opportunity to engage newsmakers and researchers looking into some of the most pressing issues related to the quality and duration of human life”
--Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer

“Being there is like getting a master’s degree in aging—in less than a week!”-
--Kay Harvey, St. Paul Pioneer Press

“A rich opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, to question them (and yourself) and to meet and share ideas with peers.”
--Jim Toedtman. AARP Bulletin

“...an enriching, intellectually stimulating week that will deepen and broaden my coverage of aging issues.”
--Marilyn Gardner, Christian Science Monitor