Almost nine of every ten U.S. adults older than 65 have at least one chronic disease, such as osteoarthritis, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Chronic disease burdens older adults with long-term illness and disability, diminished quality of life, and greatly increased health care costs. Older adults who adopt or maintain a physically active lifestyle are significantly more likely to maintain functional ability and prevent disability, thus improving their quality of life.

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Established in 1998, the Midwest Roybal Center is based in the Center for Research on Health and Aging of the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy, in partnership with the UIC Department on Disability and Human Development. The center develops research-based interventions and shares them with organizations and health practitioners that serve older adults, communities and researchers worldwide.

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This Center focuses on translating interventions to older minority adults through three main focus areas:

1. Mechanisms of behavior change

2. Novel interventions that exploit the plasticity of biobehavioral risk mechanisms

3. Programs that target features of social networks and social engagement to increase well-being.