Legacy and Impact
The National Survey of American Life (NSAL), launched in 2001, was the first-ever, nationwide study to deeply explore mental health among Black Americans. As groundbreaking research, NSAL helped us understand how stress, cultural background, and life experiences shape well-being in this population. Now, 25 years later, NSAL will revisit this unique cohort—unlocking new insights on how early and mid-life factors influence the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and age-related functional decline.
This study has had a major impact on the field both in terms of the scientific audience and the scientific literature, as well as practice and policy.
The NSAL has been used by people who really need to know things about the population that they’re working with.
History
Explore the history of the original study and our hopes for the 25-year follow up.
Scientific Impact
Learn about the huge impact the National Survey of American Life has had on our understanding of the world.