A Collaborative Study: "Lifetime Outcomes and Needs: Refining the Understanding of Aging with Spinal Cord Injury"

This project is an outgrowth of a decade-long collaborative investigation into the long-term consequences of SCI. It exemplifies a true collaboration in that key investigators from each participating site will address specific research questions using a common dataset, rather than simply providing data to the lead center. In addition, this project does not address a single issue, but represents and entire program of investigations.

Over the next five years, Craig Hospital and four other Model SCI Systems (Birmingham, Alabama; Santa Clara, California; Atlanta Georgia; and Ann Arbor, Michigan) will contct 625 individuals with SCI, each of whom has already participated two times over the past ten years in this longitudinal study of secondary conditions and aging with SCI. Seven specific focus areas will be investigated, including:

1. chronic pain
2. access to and satisfaction with health services
3. personal assistance issues
4. health behaviors, spirituality, and the effect on health outcomes and quality of life
5. perceived stress, life satisfaction, and self-reported problems
6. trends in quality of life and health
7. exploring changes over time

For more information, contact Susie Charlifue (303 789-8306)