This booklet presents a research plan of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW) aimed at understanding aging in the United States. The following subjects are discussed: (1) demographic information that outlines major issues affecting aging; (2) priorities for aging research in the biomedical, behavioral and social science and human services areas; (3) required resources to address these priorities including research manpower, human and animal experimental populations, and access to validated data; (4) a brief legislative history of research on aging within DHEW; and (5) brief, general recommendations on future budget needs and means to coordinate a program among various DHEW units. (Author/JLL)