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Health and Behavioral Health

  • Research Overview
  • Health and Behavioral Health
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Committed to address and advocate for the medical, cognitive, and mental health needs of the elderly.

Research Projects

USC fountain

Testing Savvy Caregiver in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sample in Southern California

The project goal is to compare the relative efficacy-effectiveness of two dementia caregiver interventions, Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver program on primary (affective status, and reactivity to behaviors), and secondary outcomes (competence, meaning, management, other coping resources, social support, etc.) with a diverse racial and ethnic sample of caregivers to persons with dementia (PWD).

You can learn more about this project at roybal.usc.edu/socalcaregiver.

Research Team

Maria P. Aranda
Maria P. Aranda
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute on Aging
Iris Aguilar
Iris Aguilar
Project Staff
USC Roybal Institute on Aging

Research Period: 04/01/2020 - 06/30/2022

Funding Source: State of California Department of Public Health Alzheimer's Disease Program

USC fountain

Interdisciplinary Aging Research to Address Health Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

This  conference series will (1) address environmental, sociocultural, behavioral, and biological disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias that affect millions of older minorities and their family caregivers; and (2) serve as an incubator of scientific network of interdisciplinary scholars specializing in rigorous team- based approaches to close the ADRD health disparities gap.

Research Team

Maria P. Aranda
Maria P. Aranda
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute on Aging
Charles Kaplan
Charles D. Kaplan
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Iris Aguilar
Iris Aguilar
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute on Aging

Research Period: 04/01/2019 - 03/31/2021

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

Senior couple with social worker at home

USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core

The ORE (Outreach, Recruitment and Education) core is responsible for providing important liaison and outreach between the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and patients, their caregivers and the professional community so that information may be communicated bi-directionally. The ORE Core works closely with the Clinical Core to recruit and retain participants in research studies, and to educate the professional and underserved communities about improving cognitive health and reducing AD and vascular risk factors. The major research initiatives include the Vascular Cohort Study and clinical trials. The ORE Core has a strong presence in the Latino community.

Research Team

helena chui
Helena Chui, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Keck School of Medicine
María P. Aranda
María P. Aranda, PhD, Leader - Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core
Co-investigator
USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
lon schneider
Lon Schneider MD, Leader - Clinical Core
Co-investigator
USC Keck School of Medicine
Berislav Zlokovic
Berislav Zlokovic, MD, PhD., Co-Director Administrative Core and Co-Leader Neuropathology Core
Co-investigator
USC Keck School of Medicine
carol a miller
Carol Miller, MD., Leader Neuropathology Core
Co-investigator
USC Keck School of Medicine
toga
Arthur Toga, PhD., Leader Data and Informatics Core and Co-Leader Imaging Core
Co-investigator
USC Keck School of Medicine
law-eumeng-1952366833
Meng Law MD., Leader - Imaging Core
Faculty
USC Keck School of Medicine

Research Period: 04/01/1984 - 03/31/2020

USC ADRC Website

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

Advocates for African American Elders

Advocates for African American Elders (AAAE)

Advocates for African American Elders (AAAE) is an outreach and engagement partnership of academic, governmental, nonprofit, and community groups whose aim is to help African American seniors in Los Angeles advocate for their health and mental health needs. As well as catalyzing general advocacy efforts to improve the delivery of health services for African American communities in Los Angeles County, AAAE seeks to strengthen collaboration between agencies and community organizations, develop training programs and mental health interventions specifically tailored for African American seniors, and increase health literacy.

Research Team

Karen D. Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD (Founder and Chair of AAAE)
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Ongoing

Website

Older Asian couple using their mobile phones

Co-Designing a Mobile App with Chinese Immigrant Caregivers for Self-Management of Their Health

The proposed pilot study aims to employ a user participatory approach to develop a mobile application (app) that is engaging, high quality, and safe to use as a surrogate for the in-person Caregiver Self-Management Program (CSMP), an existing intervention for Chinese caregivers. The CSMP intervention aims to equip Chinese caregivers with self-management knowledge and skills, to increase their self-efficacy for caregiving and self-care, to enhance their physical and mental well-being, and to decrease their caregiving burden.

Research Team

Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Iris Chi
Iris Chi, DSW
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019

Funding Source: USC Undergraduate Research Associates Program (URAP)

Shopping cart with person's belongings

Addressing Geriatric Syndromes with Permanent Supportive Housing

Guided by a disablement framework that positions the ability to age in place as a matter of fit between person and environment, the overall objective of this two-year project is to investigate ways to efficiently reduce the gap between the needs of chronically homeless adults and the housing and support service options that are currently available. Specifically, this exploratory study will provide new data on whether and how evidence-based prevention and management strategies that target age-related health conditions (e.g., functional and cognitive impairments, frailty, and hearing and visual impairments) can be integrated in permanent supportive housing.

Research Team

Benjamin F. Henwood
Benjamin Henwood, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Harmony Rhoades, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
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Jon Pynoos, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
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Deborah Pitts, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Rebecca Brown, MD
Co-investigator
University of California, San Francisco

Research Period: 9/1/2016–5/31/2019

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

smartphone

Applying Deep Learning to Military Suicidal Prevention: Smart Phone Application

Research Team

bee on flower
Yueh-Ming Tai, PhD
Principal Investigator
Tri-Service General Hospital (Beitou Branch)
Hsin-Yi Hsiao
Hsin-Yi Hsiao
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 9/1/2018-12/31/2018

Funding Source: Tri-Service General Hospital

USC Bovard Building

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC-CTSI)

The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) is a multi-faceted research institute created by the University of Southern California (USC) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to translate scientific discoveries into solutions for better health. This core group engages a broad spectrum of communities across the continuum of clinical and translational research, with particular emphasis on diverse and underserved communities, including pediatrics. The group helps researchers understand the health needs and research barriers of special populations and then facilitates academic-community partnerships to ensure patient/community engagement in all stages of clinical and translational research. CE also evaluates and disseminates novel approaches for engaging diverse populations in clinical and translational research and eliminating barriers to research participation.

Research Team

bee on flower
Thomas A. Buchanan, MD
Principal Investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Karen D. Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD (Co-Director, Community Engagement Core)
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Michele D. Kipke, PhD (Co-Director, SC-CTSI and Director, Community Engagement Core)
Co-investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Research Period: 7/1/2016–6/30/2021

Website

Funding Source: National Institute of Health

Older Asian couple using their mobile phones

Translating Caregiver Self-Management Research for Chinese Immigrant Community Use through Participatory Co-Design App Development

The proposed pilot study will employ a user participatory approach to design, prototype, and pilot-test a CSMP mobile app to meet the needs of Chinese immigrant caregivers. The app is expected to include five core functions to engage caregivers in self -care: building CSMP-based skills, tracking self-management behaviors, summarizing health information, coaching for problem solving, and enabling communication for support and sharing.

Research Team

Iris Chi
Irisi Chi, DSW
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Ellen Olshansky photo
Ellen Olshansky, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
Suh Chen Hsiao
Suh Chen Hsiao, MSW
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
bee on flower
Mandong Liu
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
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Kexin Yu
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019

Funding Source: Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI); Grant ID: 12-5176-3304

older Chinese man selling items

Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey

The longitudinal study was developed with Renmin University and the USC Roybal Institute on Aging to survey older adults in China’s urban and rural households and gather data on social trends and the changing relationship between social structure and quality of life in China.

Research Team

Iris Chi
Iris Chi, DSW
Consultant
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Ongoing

Funding Source: Renmin University of China

Cigarette in hand

Enduring Connections of Family: Implications of Drug Use on Family Systems

Intergenerational transmission of disadvantage is well known, but rarely considered in studies of people who inject drugs (PWID). Further, while downward transmission of disadvantage (from parents to children) has been examined extensively, the impact of disadvantage within sibling groups or upward (to aging parents) has been inadequately addressed. Aging parents may be particularly vulnerable to drug using children who may have remained in closer contact to parents as compared to other siblings. Further, their proximity may not be entirely negative; caregiving of domiciled elders may be more easily accomplished for aging PWID who have failed to establish other legal means of support.

Latino families and communities have long been regarded as especially close, with families retaining close connections to members despite mental health issues, repeated incarceration, and drug abuse. In the following, we propose to explore family relations and connections among middle aged (40 to 60 years old) Hispanic PWID in Los Angeles.  The goal will be to describe how these long-term drug users connect with families and to consider positive and negative consequences of these enduring connections.

Research Team

Ricky Bluthenthal
Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD
Principal Investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC, USC Roybal Institute
AValdez – 200 x 200 px
Avelardo Valdez, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
ACepeda – 200 x 200 px
Alice Cepeda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 2016 - 12/2018

Funding Source: USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging

older black man

Healthcare Stereotype Threat (HCST), Health Disparities, and Minority Aging

The first of its kind, the research will investigate the research questions of whether and how HCST contributes to disparities in healthcare resource use and health in aging African Americans and Latinos as compared to Whites. The research is to provide a new understanding of later life health disparities by examining a previously overlooked psychosocial barrier to care among aging minorities, namely HCST and how it can be ameliorated.

Research Team

Cleopatra Abdou
Cleopatra Abdou
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 8/15/2017-3/31/2022

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging: K01 - Mentored Research Scientist Development Award

old Asian man

Helping Carers to Care (HC2C)

Developed with Peking University’s Institute of Mental Health, the initiative facilitates the development, implementation and evaluation of training models in Beijing for caregivers of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Research Team

Iris Chi
Iris Chi, DSW
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Ongoing

homeless man on the street with head down

HIV Risk, Drug Use, Social Networks: Homeless Persons Transitioned to Housing

This longitudinal study will explore how the transition to permanent supportive housing affects health risk and prevention behaviors among chronically homeless men and women age 40 and over, with a specific focus on risks related to HIV/AIDS.

Research Team

bee on flower
Suzanne L. Wenzel, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Benjamin F. Henwood
Benjamin Henwood, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Eric Rice, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
bee on flower
Harmony Rhoades, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Research Period: 6/1/2014-5/1/2019

Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

English language learning books

Limited English Proficiency, Health and Healthcare among Older Immigrants

Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a unique vulnerability of older immigrants that poses a significant risk to health and healthcare. Given that social and environmental contexts play a critical role in the lives of persons with LEP, this project investigates how social connectedness and neighborhood/community characteristics (e.g., ethnic density, health service environments in the neighborhood) influence the link between LEP and health/healthcare. The interactive roles of social connectedness and neighborhood characteristics will be explored by using an innovative and synergistic mix of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Research Team

Yuri Jang
Yuri Jang, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Min Kyoung Rhee
Min-Kyoung Rhee, PhD
Project Staff
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 5/15/2015-4/30/2020

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

Drug injection abuse user

Preventing Injection Initiation: the Change the Cycle Randomized Control Trial

Injection drug use appears to be increasing in the US. Yet, there are few behavioral interventions to prevent injection drug use initiation and none have been proven to be efficacious in a rigorous, large scale randomized controlled trial (RCT). The project proposes to address this critical public health need by conducting a large-scale RCT of “Change the Cycle” (CTC), a single- session, hour-long, one-on-one intervention that aims to reduce injection initiation by encouraging active people who inject drugs (PWID) to not promote drug injection, model injection behavior, describe how to inject, or assist in injection initiations of on-injectors. CTC uses the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills model (IMB) to illuminate harms of drug injection, increase motivation to not model injection behaviors, and improve behavioral skills to resist request to initiate non-injectors into drug injection.

Research Team

Ricky Bluthenthal
Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD
Principal Investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 8/1/2015 - 6/30/2019

Funding Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse

USC fountain

Conference Series on Aging in the Americas: United States and Mexico

The USC Roybal Institute received a sub-award from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, which received a (R13) Scientific Meeting Grant from NIA, to host the fifth installment of its conference series at USC. The aim of the Conference Series on Aging in the Americas is to use research to augment knowledge about dimensions of healthful aging for people of Hispanic descent in the United States and Mexico. One of the major goals is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration by gathering a broad array of researchers in the fields of health, health care policy, and behavioral and social aspects of aging into a single forum to exchange ideas and foster collaborative efforts aimed at addressing key issues affecting the health of aging Hispanics.

Research Team

bee on flower
Jaqueline L. Angel, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Texas at Austin
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Kyriakos Markides, PhD
Co-investigator
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
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Fernando Torres-Gil, PhD
Co-investigator
University of California Los Angeles

Research Period: 9/1/2016 – 12/31/2017

Website

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging

USC fountain

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Workshop Series

The goal of the workshop series is to identify research priorities for the Aging Cluster through a series of meetings bringing together researchers in the field of aging. The meetings will host experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research to present the most-up-to-date research, policies, and funding opportunities. Faculty from the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and across campus will be invited.

Research Team

William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 2017

Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council

Latino son kissing his mother

Programa Esperanza (Project Hope)

The primary aim of the study is to test the comparative effectiveness of Programa Esperanza (Project Hope) and enhanced usual care (EUC). Programa Esperanza is a short-term, culturally modified psychosocial intervention for Spanish-speaking Latino patients 55 years of age or older with depression and multiple medical conditions. Our long-term goal is to widely disseminate the results and actionable steps needed to increase the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based behavioral health practices for low-income, Limited-English-speaking geriatric populations.

Research Team

MAranda – 200 x 200 px
María P. Aranda, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Wendy Mack, PhD
Co-investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC
bee on flower
Michael Hochman, MD
Co-investigator
AltaMed Health Services Corp
bee on flower
Anne Escaron, MSW
Co-investigator
AltaMed Health Services Corp

Research Period: 1/1/2015–06/30/2019

Programa Esperanza video

Funding Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

chinese tomb

Translation and Validation Study of QODD Chinese Version

The proposed study will translate the Quality of Death and Dying Scale into traditional/simplified and Mandarin/Cantonese versions and validate its validity and reliability.

Research Team

Iris Chi
Iris Chi, DSW
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
bee on flower
Jing Zhou, PhD
Co-investigator
Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
bee on flower
Wallace Chan, PhD
Co-investigator
Shanghai Lixin Accounting and Finance College
bee on flower
Tom Tong, PhD
Co-investigator
Shanghai Lixin Accounting and Finance College
bee on flower
Mandong Liu, MSSW
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019

Funding Source: Shanghai Lixin Accounting and Finance College, Distinguished Faculty Research Grant

USC professor teaching students

USC-Los Angeles County Training a Workforce in Inter-Professional Geriatrics

The USC-LAC Training a Workforce in Inter-Professional Geriatrics (USC-LAC TWIG), also referred to as The Geriatric Workforce Education Project (GWEP), was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop a comprehensive inter-professional geriatric primary care-based assessment and training program. The Geriatric Assessment Program (GAP) has an emphasis on inter-professional training and team-based care. The focus for GAP is on improving recognition and care for patients who have cognitive impairment or have a dementia diagnosis, and who, in addition, have significant medical co-morbidities. As faculty lead, Dr. Katz heads up the Student Senior Partnership Program (SSPP), a student volunteer program, made up of 3-4 students from different disciplines. The SSPP teams visit a senior’s home three times to discuss their physical well-being, their relationships with friends and the community and how they stay connected, and lastly how they keep active and fit which helps them with memory and cognition.

Research Team

bee on flower
Bonnie Olsen, PhD
Principal Investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Anne Katz
Anne Katz, PhD (Senior Student Partnership Program Faculty Lead)
Faculty
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/1/2015 – 6/30/2019

Website

Funding Source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

USC fountain

Reducing the Duration of Untreated Psychosis Through Community Education

The overall objective of the study is to strengthen the effectiveness of informational campaigns to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis by bringing more scientific rigor to their development and by extending their reach through sustainable campaigns for diverse, high-risk communities. Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults (ages 15-64) residing in a high density Latino community within Los Angeles County will serve as the target group.

Research Team

bee on flower
Steven R. López, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Department of Psychology
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Alex Kopelowicz, MD
Co-investigator
University of California Los Angeles
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Concepcion Barrio, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Research Period: 6/1/2014–12/31/2017

Website

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

USC fountain

Co-Designing a Mobile App with Chinese Immigrant Caregivers for Self-Management of Their Health

The proposed pilot study aims to employ a user participatory approach to develop a mobile application (app) that is engaging, high quality, and safe to use as a surrogate for the in-person Caregiver Self-Management Program (CSMP), an existing intervention for Chinese caregivers. The CSMP intervention aims to equip Chinese caregivers with self-management knowledge and skills, to increase their self-efficacy for caregiving and self-care, to enhance their physical and mental well-being, and to decrease their caregiving burden.

Research Team

Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Iris Chi
Iris Chi, DSW
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Ellen Olshansky photo
Ellen Olshansky, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
M-Jordan-Marsh-200×200
Mary Alice Jordan-Marsh, PhD
Co-investigator
Mary Alice Jordan-Marsh, PhD

Research Period: 2/1/2018 – 6/30/2018

Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Department of Adult Mental Health and Wellness

USC fountain

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) Workforce Development Core

The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) is a multi-faceted research institute created by the University of Southern California (USC) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to translate scientific discoveries into solutions for better health. This core group provides expertise in education, training and career development with special focus on research in diverse populations. It has a broad target audience that includes not only career clinical researchers, but also clinicians, research staff, clinical and community partners, and patients.

Research Team

bee on flower
Thomas A. Buchanan, MD
Principal Investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD (Faculty Mentor)
Faculty
USC Roybal Institute
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Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS (Director, Workforce Development)
Co-investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Research Period: 7/1/2016–12/31/2017

Website

Funding Source: USC Keck School of Medicine (NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences)

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EAGER: Studying the Dynamics of In-Home Adoption of Socially Assistive Robot Companions for the Elderly

Project description is forthcoming.

Research Team

bee on flower
Maja Mataric, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Elizabeth Zelinski, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Davis School of Gerontology

Research Period: 9/1/2015–8/31/2017

Funding Source: National Science Foundation (NSF)

USC fountain

2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count

In coordination with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the research team will conduct the 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, a demographic survey of homeless adults, youth, and families, as required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Research Team

Benjamin F. Henwood
Benjamin Henwood, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
Karen Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Robynn Cox portrait photo
Robynn Cox
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
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Jennifer Ailshire, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
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Gary Painter, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Research Period: 9/1/2016–9/1/2017

Funding Source: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

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Harmonizing U.S. Datasets to Enhance the Study of Cognitive Health in Older Minority Populations

The purpose of the pilot is to investigate the feasibility of harmonizing several epidemiological datasets that include Latinos and African Americans, usually in small proportions, that when combined, will permit the analysis of cognitive health and associated factors among these minority populations.

Research Team

Donald A. Lloyd
Donald A. Lloyd, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
María P. Aranda
María P. Aranda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Francisca Then
Francisca Then, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Eileen M. Crimmins, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology

Research Period: 3/1/2017 - 6/30/2017

Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council

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USC Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR)

The goal of the USC RCMAR is to build an infrastructure to support high-quality research and enduring research careers in the economics of aging, retirement, and health economic challenges, with a particular focus on health and economic challenges of elderly minority populations. It is a collaboration between USC and RAND that utilizes the resources of the USC Roybal Center on Health Policy Simulation, the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and RAND’s Roybal Center for Financial Decisionmaking.

Research Team

bee on flower
Dana Goldman, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Sol Price School of Public of Policy, USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/2012 – 6/2015

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA); Grant ID: P30AG12-012

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Testing Correspondence of Health Environment Indicator to Health Outcomes in Older Population Groups

The study will use a combination of official statistical sources, including the US decennial census and American Community Survey, in conjunction with recent epidemiological survey data from several studies covering Los Angeles County to scientifically test consistency relationships between community markers and health outcomes measured at the individual level. The anticipated results would provide an evidence base to recommend measures to best predict population health among old-age community residents, and promote the measures associated most closely with health outcomes in population subgroups defined by age group, race/ethnicity, nativity, primary language, and socioeconomic level. Such findings would more confidently inform epidemiological studies as well as future needs assessment and “healthy community” monitoring.

Research Team

Donald A. Lloyd
Donald A. Lloyd, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 10/2013 - 6/2014

Funding Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA); Grant ID: 5P30AG017265-14 (USC/UCLA Center on Biodemography and Population Health Subaward)

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An Examination of Treatment-Relevant Patient Characteristics in the USC ADRC Data Set

The objective of the project is to examine ethnic differences in dementia progression from early states of mild cognitive impairment, measure invariance, and co-morbidity patterns among Mexican Americans and White non-Latino patients and controls in the California ADRC Uniform Data Set (UDS).

Research Team

William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
MAranda – 200 x 200 px
María P. Aranda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 4/2012 - 3/2013

Funding Source: USC Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC); Grant ID: P50 AG05142

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Risk and Protective Factors for Depression among Racial Groups

The study aimed to investigate the social and psychological risk and protective factors for depression among African American, Caribbean Black, Asian American, Latino and non-Hispanic white adults using existing national epidemiological data. The goal of the research was to identify those factors that would enhance current interventions, as well as provide information relevant to the development of new and innovative research-based interventions that met the mental health needs of diverse populations.

Research Team

Karen D. Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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María P. Aranda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 9/2009 - 6/2012

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Regaining Humanity - The Gold Standard of Care

The symposium, titled “Regaining Humanity – The Gold Standard of Care,” aims to bring stakeholders together to exchange knowledge and ideas about addressing the health needs of the aging incarcerated population. The Gold Coats, a growing group of formerly incarcerated individuals trained as specialized caregivers in prison, will demonstrate an effective action plan for programmatic development and create a research agenda. The symposium will focus on addressing the needs of two subpopulations of currently and formerly incarcerated people: 1) people living with cognitive impairments and chronic and terminal illnesses; and 2) extensively trained and skilled caregivers seeking appropriate licensure and employment after release from prison.

Research Team

Anne Katz
Anne Katz, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC Roybal Institute
Aileen Hongo
Aileen Hongo, MAG, MSW
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 2017

Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council

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A Helping Hand to Activate Patient-Centered Depression Care among Low-Income Patients (AHH)

The study aims to improve patient self-care management and patient-provider care management relationships among underserved low-income patients, who must simultaneously cope with major depression and chronic co-morbid physical illness. Some participants will be randomly selected to receive typical clinical services, while others will participate in a program in which community members, who are trained to provide basic health education, offer training and advice. Findings will determine whether community health worker promotora care management training improves patient-centered outcomes, such as self-care need and management, treatment adherence, symptom improvement, and care satisfaction over the usual team care.

Research Team

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Kathleen Ell, DSW
Principal Investigator
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
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María P. Aranda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Jeffrey J. Guterman, MD
Co-investigator
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Research Period: 10/2013 – 12/2017

Funding Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

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A Program for Families Caring for a Loved One with Dementia (SAVVY Caregiver Program)

This is a comparative cluster-randomized pilot to compare the relative feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of implementing the original and modified version of the Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP) in community-based settings. SCP is a structured, group-administered intervention for adult family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or associated dementias.

Research Team

María P. Aranda
María P. Aranda, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 12/2015 – 6/2016

Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council

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Bringing Evidence-Based Programs to Historically Underrepresented Older Minorities

This pilot project will produce an exhaustive inventory of MH/SU EBIs within existing LA County health and human services (HHS) provider systems. We will use a two-pronged approach that addresses the community needs with respect to MH/SU issues on the one hand, and the capacity of HHS provider systems to serve historically underrepresented older minorities—who typically bear excess burden of MH/SU conditions—on the other. Selected data produced by this study will be used in Dr. Vega’s proposed CTSI simulation modeling pilot (“metrics pilot study”) and will serve as the basis for future research applications.

Research Team

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María P. Aranda, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Shinyi Wu
Shinyi Wu, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
Donald A. Lloyd
Donald A. Lloyd, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Wendy Mack, PhD
Co-investigator
Keck School of Medicine of USC
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Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS
Co-investigator
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
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Carlotta Childs-Seagle, LCSW
Co-investigator
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Research Period: January 2015–December 2017

Funding Source: Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI); Grant ID: 5UL1TR000130

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Enhanced Geriatric Depression Treatment in Adult Day Health Care

The major goal of the project was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of adding individually administered Problem Solving Therapy (PST) to enhanced usual care as an approach for treating depression in adult day health care (ADHC) for predominantly low-income Latinos with depression and significant comorbid medical illnesses.

Research Team

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María P. Aranda, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 3/2009 - 12/2011

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Transition Coaching for Latino Diabetics

The project sought to develop a program aimed at improving self-management behaviors and skills for hospitalized Latino diabetics age 50 and over who were leaving the hospital for home. To date, no programs of this type has focused specifically on this group of diabetics. Participants in the program received help from a diabetes-trained coach who was also Latino and bilingual. The project sought to improve treatment of diabetes, specifically aiming at improving adherence to care, continuity of care and patient self-management skills.

Research Team

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Susan Enguidanos, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Iris Aguilar
Iris Aguilar, MSPA
Consultant
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 1/2009 - 12/2011

Funding Source: American Diabetes Association

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Paths to Wellness for Older African Americans in Adult Day Health Care

This randomized pilot study investigated the feasibility, acceptability and trend toward effectiveness of adding individually administered Problem Solving Therapy (PST) to treat current major depressive disorder (MDD) in older African Americans enrolled in adult day health care (ADHC).

Research Team

Karen D. Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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María P. Aranda, PhD
Co-investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 8/2009 - 10/2011

Funding Source: Larson Endowment for Innovative Research and Teaching, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

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National Network on Multicultural Research on Health and Health Care to Eliminate Health and Healthcare Disparities

This project brought together a team of 12 multidisciplinary senior faculty researchers to investigate disparities in medical care provided to minority subpopulations for chronic diseases and to mentor junior faculty investigators to develop a new generation of researchers with the skills needed to reduce disparities through improved health care.

Research Team

William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 11/2007 - 6/2011

Funding Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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Testing of a Frailty Diagnostic Measure for Low-Income, Medically Ill Older Adults with Depression

Little is known about the frailty syndrome and its relationship to clinical depression in older minorities. The study aimed to develop and test a frailty measure for its predictive ability in determining clinical depression and severity.

Research Team

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María P. Aranda, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 11/2010 - 3/2011

Funding Source: Los Angeles Basin Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Grant ID: 1UL1RR031986

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Mental Health Disparities within the Context of Health Disparities: Depression and Obesity among Black Women

The project aimed to investigate mental health disparities within the context of health disparities. Specifically, it used data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES) to examine the relationship between obesity and depression among black women.

Research Team

Karen D. Lincoln
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 11/2010 - 3/2011

Funding Source: Los Angeles Basin Clinical and Translational Science Institute

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Ethnicity and the Diagnosis of Affective Illness

In an effort to better understand diagnostic disparities (i.e., the overdiagnosis of psychosis in African Americans), the study examined how patient characteristics (i.e., ethnicity) influence the diagnostic process in patients with serious mental illness. The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that clinicians over-emphasize psychotic symptoms at the expense of affective symptoms in African Americans.

Research Team

William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 7/2005 - 6/2010

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health; Grant ID: R01 MH068819

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Stigma of Depression among Hispanic Primary Care Patients

The major focus of the project was to develop a stigma measure for depressed Latinos and test the effects of stigma on the course of depression treatment, medication adherence, and treatment outcome, in a longitudinal study of primary care patients.

Research Team

William A. Vega
William A. Vega, PhD
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: 2007 - 2010

Funding Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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Breast Cancer Media & Training Campaign for Hispanic Women

The purpose of the project was to educate Latino women on the importance of breast cancer screenings through a national media campaign that targeted more than 83 Spanish-language television stations across the United States.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA (Project Director)
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/AARP

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Adult Immunization Project

The goals of Roybal Immunization Consortium for Older Adults (RICO) were to increase older-adult vaccine coverage rates in the Latino community and to be a health advocacy organization for older adults. A major outcome of the RICO was the development of a policy paper for a coordinated adult immunization service delivery plan for Los Angeles County.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA (Project Director)
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: California Department of Health Services

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Adult Immunization Project: Immunization Program Translation

The primary goal of the project was to increase the knowledge base of health care providers in order to improve vaccination rates among older adults, particularly those from ethnic communities.

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: Unihealth Foundation

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Adult Immunization Program

The USC Roybal Institute was approached by The California Endowment to conduct a comparative study to evaluate the current status of the immunization level of Latinos in the greater East Los Angeles area. The study was designed to compare newly collected data with the findings from an earlier dataset to determine whether there were changes in immunization levels over time and to determine potential barriers to immunization services. Another important aspect of the project was to develop and implement intervention strategies in the East Los Angeles area as well as an immunization coordination plan for Los Angeles County.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: The California Endowment

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Injuries in the Elderly

The project was a collaborative effort between the Southern California Injury Prevention Research Center at UCLA and the USC Roybal Institute. The goal of the intervention was to reduce the rate of falls and fall injuries among older adults in East Los Angeles. In order to achieve this objective, home-safety assessments were conducted and an education package was created to promote fall prevention efforts in the community.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Jess F. Kraus
Principal Investigator
Southern California Injury Prevention Research Center

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Physical Activity Promotional Campaign for Elderly Hispanic Women

The USC Roybal Institute’s bilingual (i.e., Spanish and English) physical activity guide for older adults was used by individuals, agencies and organizations as part of an intervention to improve physical condition and reduce injuries. The guide was distributed locally and nationally to organizations serving older individuals.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA (Project Director)
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC)/National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO)

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Replication and Dissemination of Effective Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Education Interventions

The goal of the project was to enhance the capacity of a national network of community, migrant and homeless health centers to increase the number of early detection screenings for breast and cervical cancer for Latinas age 50 and over. Among the objectives was to increase the knowledge of breast and cervical cancer screenings and the utilization rates of mammograms and Pap tests among Latinas. The staffs of various health centers were trained on how to reach out to community organizations and leaders who were also concerned about the health of Latinas.

One of the key components of the initiative was the establishment of a community consortium composed of community leaders, public and private health-care providers, private industry, academic researchers and consumers that met to address the problem of low screening rates among Latino women over the age of 50 in the community.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA (Project Director)
Co-Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute
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Freda Mitchem (Project Director)
Co-Principal Investigator
National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHAC)

Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHAC)

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Unintentional Injury Prevention Among Older Adults

The goal of the project was to develop and distribute educational materials to help reduce the incidence of falls among older adults by providing a training manual and educational material for service providers in Los Angeles County. A total of 13 informational sessions were also conducted for health care providers, the aging service network, agencies, organizations, institutions, caregivers and their families, volunteers and other interested individuals at locations across the county.

Staff members on the project worked with AltaMed to integrate the fall and injury prevention community service model into the agency’s existing services, which helped to reduce reported fall rates from 12% to 3% over a four- to six-month period. The training manual and related education materials were also adopted by three health service providers in aging service delivery that were contracted and funded by the Los Angeles City Department of Aging.

Research Team

Jorge Lambrinos
Jorge J. Lambrinos, MA
Principal Investigator
USC Roybal Institute

Research Period: Completed

Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM)

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