ON June 12, 1991, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences released a report delineating a national agenda for research on aging.* In this report, a committee of 18 national leaders in health care identified national priorities for research on aging for the next 20 years and estimated the resources required to implement the research agenda. The committee also listed areas of research that would improve knowledge of the basic processes of aging and maximize the ability to function and the quality of life of older persons.