Overview
Health disparities are associated with a broad, complex, and interrelated array of factors. Diagnosis, progression, response to treatment, caregiving, and overall quality of life may each be affected by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), age, education, occupation, and other as yet unknown lifetime and lifestyle differences. For example, a multi-ethnic epidemiologic study indicated that prevalence rates for Alzheimer’s disease may be higher for African Americans and Hispanics than for other ethnic groups. Another study found a striking relationship between SES and health and longevity. Gender differences in health and longevity are observed across racial and ethnic groups. We must first understand these differences and their interactions and then work to develop behavioral and public health interventions to reduce disparities and increase quality of life for all of our older citizens.
NIA objectives in this area include:
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Understand health differences and health inequities associated with race, ethnicity, gender, environment, socioeconomic status (SES), geography, access, and sociocultural factors among older adults.
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Develop strategies to promote active life expectancy and improve the health status of older adults in minority and other underserved populations.
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Use research insights and advances to inform policy on the health, economic status, and quality of life of all older adults.
Minority aging and health disparity research is conducted throughout the Institute’s research programs. For example:
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Satellite Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, part of the national Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (ADC) Program, have successfully recruited African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Natives to AD prevention and treatment studies.
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NIA’s participation in an R03 Grant Program specifically invites researchers to submit grant applications that address access to participation in research for populations such as: those under-represented in biomedical and clinical research of U.S. minority populations, underserved populations, and populations who may be vulnerable to coercion or undue influence; barriers to participation and potential approaches to overcome these; as well as Conducting biomedical and clinical research in resource-limited countries.
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The NIA supports several specific programs to assist in the development of research careers for minority investigators whose research topics are relevant to the NIA mission. These include dissertation awards for minority doctoral students and awards to institutions hoping to increase numbers of students from underrepresented populations.
For more information, see the NIA Health Disparities Strategic Plan.
Minority Aging and Health Disparities Progress
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Health Disparities Resource Persons Network (HDRPN)
The Health Disparities Resource Persons Network (HDRPN) is an NIA web-based resource consisting of research professionals in aging, geriatrics, and gerontology who volunteer their services in support of research and NIA's goals to redress health disparities and to improve the health status of racial, ethnic and disadvantaged older adults.
An objective of the HDRPN is to provide technical and capacity-building assistance to NIA and its research constituency for the purpose of supporting efforts to improve minority health and reduce or eliminate health disparities and health inequities.
If you have expertise in minority aging research, health disparities, or health inequities, you may register now to be a part of the resource network.
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LINKS Newsletter - A twice-yearly, online newsletter of the NIA Work Group on Minority Aging and Health Disparities. Read about what drives leaders in aging and health disparities research, important findings from the field, highlights of NIA research and training opportunities, and more.
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Summer Institute on Aging Research
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Grants Technical Assistance Workshop
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NIA Directors Regional Meeting
Health Disparities Toolbox
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Advisory Committee to the NIH Director, Working Group on Diversity in the Biomedical Research Workforce - This group is charged with providing concrete recommendations toward improving the recruitment and retention of a diverse scientific workforce.
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Report: Diversity in the Biomedical Research Workforce Working Group
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NIH Women of Color Research Network
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Selected Student Opportunities with Professional Societies and Associations
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Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR)
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Outreach, Recruitment and Retention of Health Disparities Populations in Aging Research (Adobe PDF, 1.4M) This document assists investigators to understand and comply with the NIH's inclusion policies for women and minorities when planning clinical research studies and submitting an application for NIH/NIA funding. The notebook presents advice on inclusion criteria, provides an overview of key elements in recruitment and retention processes, and includes suggestions on a number of practical applications, including ethical considerations.
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The Science of Inclusion: A Gerontological Society of America publication edited by Leslie Curry, PhD and James Jackson, PhD, offers guidance and lessons learned about recruitment and retention of diverse ethnic and racial groups in aging research from NIA-supported Resources Centers on Minority Aging Research. See: Curry L, Jackson J (eds.). The science of inclusion: Recruiting and retaining racial and ethnic elders in health research. Washington, DC: The Gerontological Society of America, 2003.
Training Opportunities