Research
Objectives
The Hispanic Health and Aging Lab uses population-based studies and administrative datasets to examine health disparities among older Hispanics and their care partners. The Lab also identifies evidence-based clinical and behavioral interventions, culturally adapts them, and finds ways to implement them to improve outcomes for older Hispanics and their care partners.
Projects
Patient Priorities Care for Hispanics with Dementia
This project seeks to culturally adapt the Patient Priorities Care approach for Hispanics living with dementia. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches, our PPC Lab research members are obtaining feedback on existing Patient Priorities Care materials from Hispanic individuals across the Houston area. Feedback from our Hispanic research participants is being informing the development of Patient Priorities Care flyers, manuals and digital resources.
Patient Priorities Care - Indiana
In this pragmatic pilot project, we work with Dr. Carnahan at Indiana University to examine the feasibility of implementing the PPC approach in 3 different healthcare systems with patients with MCI and ADRD. The NIA IMPACT Collaboratory also funds this pilot study.
Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS)
Our Lab actively works with the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). MHAS is the longest ongoing population-based study of aging in Latin America. MHAS is part of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) family of longitudinal aging studies. MHAS started collecting data in 2001 and is funded to collect 3 additional waves fo data over the next 5 years.
Impact Collaboratory Health Equity Team
We actively participate in the IMPACT Collaboratory with a special focus on increasing Health Equity in pragmatic trials related to dementia.
Alzheimer's disease in older Mexican adults
We collaborate with Dr. Downer at UTMB on an R01 entitled "The influence of social and cultural context on life course pathways for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and care resources for older Mexican adults."