In 1970, Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, the "Father of Aerobics," founded The Cooper Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier lives.
The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS), made up of almost 100,000 patients’ data records, is one of the most highly referenced databases in the world. This database has become a one-of-a-kind resource, and it will become even more vital to the world’s health with the inclusion of genetic data from an in-house blood bank.
With over 600 peer-reviewed publications and intervention programs, The Cooper Institute is a worldwide leader in these areas:
- Clinical studies on the management of chronic conditions, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes
- Research on physical activity and its effects on morbidity and mortality as well as prevention of chronic diseases
- Collaborative research initiatives with major medical institutions that include preventive medicine and research in genetics, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, mental function and healthy brain aging, and cancer
- Customized training and courses for health and fitness leaders, including law enforcement, the military, and firefighters, and a nationally accredited personal trainer certification exam
- Educational products and a donor-funded free Web site for all to disseminate information on healthy living at www.StandUpandEat.org
Because The Cooper Institute is a nonprofit organization, it relies heavily on private donations and funding from foundations and corporations to support its research and education programs.