Fostering both individual’s active engagement in research and leveraging knowledge through engagement with stakeholders.
Research Projects
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
Research Period: 04/01/2020 - 06/30/2022
Funding Source: State of California Department of Public Health Alzheimer's Disease Program
Navigating Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Care and Services in Linguistic Isolation
The project aims to explore the direct and interactive roles of social connectedness and neighborhood characteristics (1) in the relation between limited english proficiency and health and (2) in the relation between limited english proficiency and healthcare.
Research Team
Research Period: 06/15/2019 - 04/30/2021
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging
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
Research Period: Ongoing
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
Research Period: 9/1/2016–5/31/2019
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging
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
Research Period: 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019
Funding Source: Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI); Grant ID: 12-5176-3304
A Catalyst Drug or a Cessation Tool? E-Cigarette use among Korean American Young Adults
The proposed pilot study aims to understand unique aspects of progression to and desistence from problematic e-cig use among Korean American young adults (KAYA) and the role of racial discrimination in e-cig use. Given that the existing measure of discrimination (Everyday Discrimination Scale) has been widely used in diverse populations but not validated with KAYAs, the adequacy of the scale will also be part of assessment. We will conduct four focus groups with KAYA aged 18 to 24 in community settings in Los Angeles, consisting of 6 to 8 members each. We will seek a purposive sample of smokers and nonsmokers and use a snowball approach for recruitment. Results may suggest a shift in the field to a culturally relevant prevention strategy that accounts for subgroup differences in ethnic minority groups with diverse backgrounds, such as Asian Americans.
Research Team
Research Period: 12/1/2018 - 6/30/2019
Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Department of Children, Youth and Families
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
Research Period: Ongoing
Funding Source: Renmin University of China
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
Research Period: 2016 - 12/2018
Funding Source: USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
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
Research Period: Ongoing
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
Research Period: 5/15/2015-4/30/2020
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging
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
Research Period: 8/1/2015 - 6/30/2019
Funding Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse
Understanding Disparities in Palliative and Hospice Care among Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: A Systematic Review
The purpose of this proposed study is to conduct a systematic review that provides a comprehensive overview of the best available evidence on the determinants of disparities in palliative and hospice care among racial and ethnic minority populations. Four aims of the proposed systematic review are: 1) to assess racial and ethnic disparities in palliative and hospice care, 2) to identify contributing factors associated with racial and ethnic disparities in palliative and hospice care, 3) to synthesize similarities and differences in the factors across racial and ethnic groups, and 4) to explore whether cultural factors have been appropriately considered and measured in palliative and hospice care research. Findings of the study will inform areas for intervention and provide a foundation for research, intervention planning, and policy development to promote palliative and hospice care as a vital part of the continuum of healthcare for racial and ethnic minority populations.
Research Team
Research Period: 12/1/2018 - 6/30/2019
Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Department of Adult Mental Health and Wellness
Healthy Aging Los Angeles County Initiative
A collaborative effort of researchers from UCLA, the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, the City of Los Angeles Department on Aging, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, California State University, Los Angeles along with community leaders and interventionists to support sustainable change in communities that will allow middle-aged and older adults to stay healthy and live independently and safely with timely and appropriate access to quality health care, social support, and services.
Partners: Arleen Brown, MD; Jonathan Fielding, MD; Tony Kuo, MD; Martin Shapiro, MD; June Simmons, MSW; Laura Trejo, MSG
Research Period: Ongoing
Immigrant Patient Empowerment Program
The pilot training program aims to (1) empower Chinese immigrants by learning basic knowledge about the elements of communication, different cultural expectations, and the American healthcare system to facilitate successful experience in seeking healthcare in the United States, and (2) introduce proactive skills and tips to help immigrants improve healthcare decision-making and communication with healthcare providers.
Research Team
Research Period: Ongoing
Funding Source: USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
Religious Transitions, Transmissions, and Trajectories among Baby-Boomers and Their Families
This three-year multi-method research project is devoted to better understanding how religious beliefs, identities, and participation develop over the course of later life. Researchers will collect quantitative and qualitative data from an established longitudinal sample to examine previously unaddressed questions about how religiosity changes for aging Baby-Boomers, the implications of religious change for health and well-being, and whether the capacity to transmit religious orientations to children has become compromised by changing family structures.
Research Team
Research Period: 1/1/2015–1/31/2018
Funding Source: The John Templeton Foundation
Understanding Challenges of Coordinating the Care of Urban, Low-Income, Latinos with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Qualitative Study of Informal and Formal Caregivers
In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) disproportionately impacts Latinos. Informal caregivers must work collaboratively with formal caregivers in the health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems to meet the needs of the AD care recipient and their family. A major challenge in such AD care coordination is inefficient communication and information sharing among the informal and formal caregivers, especially as it relates to identification of affordable and culturally appropriate community resources. We propose a qualitative approach involving in-depth, one-on-one interviews with AD patient’s family caregivers, their health care providers, and when applicable, their community-based LTSS providers. The results are anticipated to reveal the content of triad interactions needed to facilitate streamlined AD care coordination, including the necessary and sufficient information needed to carry out care activities, and opportunities for improving family caregiver utilization of community resources.
Research Team
Research Period: 7/1/2017–6/30/2018
Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council
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
Research Period: 1/1/2015–06/30/2019
Funding Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Trial to Examine Text Message-based mHealth in Emergency Department Patients with Diabetes with Family and Friends Network Supporters (TexT-MED+FANS)
This K23 award will support Dr. Burner to develop a research agenda examining novel communication technologies to improving patient self-management of diabetes. Dr. Wu, along with a faculty mentoring team, will support Dr. Burner to (1) become an expert in mixed-methods research strategies; (2) conduct clinical investigations of a mobile phone based behavioral intervention for urban Latino patients with diabetes that incorporates an augmented social module; and (3) conduct sophisticated statistical analysis to examine patient characteristics that impact the intervention’s efficacy.
Research Team
Research Period: 9/16/2016–9/30/2020
Funding Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH
Toward Integrated Care of Oral Health and Diabetes: A Pilot with Older Korean Adults
Diabetes poses a critical risk to oral health. However, many individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are unaware of diabetes-related susceptibility to oral complications, and oral health is often unaddressed in the diabetes care regimen. The proposed study aims to explore oral health and dental care-related experiences and needs via qualitative interviews with various stakeholders: 10 older Korean Americans with diabetes, 10 caregivers of older Korean Americans with diabetes, and 10 health care providers (5 from primary care and 5 from dentistry) who serve in the Korean American community in the Los Angeles area. Tentative topics for qualitative assessment include general issues in oral health and diabetes care, knowledge of diabetes and oral health, challenges in seeking/assisting/providing dental care, and the role of family and community in healthcare utilization. The proposed pilot study will plant a seed for an R21 or R01 grant for the NIDCR that prioritizes “understanding the determinants of inequalities in oral health status and quality” and “integrating oral health in comprehensive health care.”
Research Team
Research Period: 12/1/2018 – 6/30/2019
Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Department of Adult Mental Health and Wellness
Unidas Por la Vida: A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for High-Risk Latina Dyads
Mexican American women have significantly elevated rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The proposed study tests a novel intervention that capitalizes on an existing important family dyad (mothers and their adult daughters) to foster clinically significant and long-lasting health behavior change. If found to effective, this intervention strategy has great potential to address health disparities in this, and other, at-risk populations.
Research Team
Research Period: 7/15/2014 - 8/13/2019
Funding Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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
Research Period: 7/1/2015 – 6/30/2019
Funding Source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
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
Research Period: 6/1/2014–12/31/2017
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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
Research Period: 9/1/2016–9/1/2017
Funding Source: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Economic Impact of Alzheimer's in the Latino Community
Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s (AD) and other dementia compared to non-Hispanic Whites with similar characteristics. The study will estimate the direct and indirect costs associated with AD for all Latinos in the U.S. using the Medical Expenditure Panel survey (MEPS). The costs for the Medicare population in specific will estimated using the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Estimated costs will be combined with projected Hispanic population census data to project the costs of AD for Hispanic/Latinos up to 2050. The study will include a preparation of a report that addresses the following themes: impact of the growth of AD on health care costs; impact of the growth of AD on labor force productivity; impact of the growth AD on the need for formal and informal intermittent and long-term care; and the costs of AD on Latinos.
Research Team
Research Period: 6/25/2015 - 10/1/2015
Funding Source: UsAgainstAlzheimer's
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
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)
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
Research Period: 9/2009 - 6/2012
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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
Research Period: 2017
Funding Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Research Council
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
Research Period: 10/2013 – 12/2017
Funding Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
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
Research Period: 3/2009 - 12/2011
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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
Research Period: 1/2009 - 12/2011
Funding Source: American Diabetes Association
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
Research Period: 11/2007 - 6/2011
Funding Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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
Research Period: 11/2010 - 3/2011
Funding Source: Los Angeles Basin Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Grant ID: 1UL1RR031986
Uncovering Opportunities for Prevention and Early Intervention among Older Minority Groups in Disadvantaged L.A. Neighborhoods
The USC Roybal Institute conducted a pilot study to develop a population survey instrument with a dual focus on aging populations and their caregivers, which collected information on the health status, health maintenance and optimal functioning of seniors in low-income areas of Los Angeles.
Research Team
Research Period: 11/2010 - 3/2011
Funding Source: Los Angeles Basin Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Larson Endowment for Innovative Research and Teaching, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; Grant ID: 1UL1RR031986-01
Community-Based Management of the Chronically Mentally Ill
The primary objective of the center grant was to create a sustainable community-based participatory research program for African Americans with depression residing in South Los Angeles, with the ultimate objective of improving the quality of their lives and reducing relapse through improved community based integration of services with natural networks and other community support systems.
Research Team
Research Period: 9/2008 - 6/2010
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Toward a Better Understanding of Elder Mistreatment in Community Settings
The purpose of the study was to inform the NIA about the issues involved with conducting a national incidence or prevalence study of elder mistreatment. The study focused on community-residing elders to examine approaches to detecting and measuring mistreatment across five domains: physical assault, psychological aggression, sexual coercion, caregiver neglect and financial exploitation. The ultimate goal was to inform the field on reliable approaches to identifying elder mistreatment.
Research Team
Research Period: 9/2007 - 8/2009
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA); Grant ID: R21 AG030661
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
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: California Department of Health Services
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
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
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: The California Endowment
Live Well, Live Long: Steps to Better Health
The ASA and the USC Roybal Institute entered into a collaborative agreement with the CDC to develop a model Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) national campaign. The ultimate goal of the project was to provide guidance and tools for the staff of organizations that provided services to older adults. The tools were designed to facilitate outreach efforts, the dissemination of information, the delivery of service and the training of staff. The tools also were designed to provide a better understanding of the changing health and social service needs of an aging and more diverse population. Special emphasis was given to developing strategies targeting racial and ethnic communities and rural areas.
Research Team
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC)/National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO)
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
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHAC)
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
Research Period: Completed
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM)