Advancing Health Disparities Research in Aging: The Aging Research in Criminal Justice & Health (ARCH) Network

摘要

Abstract Over the last decade, U.S. prisons have experienced a 300% increase in people aged 55 or older. Research to understand the life course experiences and drivers of later life health disparities in this population is in its infancy. Despite the stark overrepresentation of people of racial or ethnic minority groups in the prison and jail population, research about the racial/ethnic health disparities that might be present in this population is limited. The ARCH Network was developed to bring together national researchers dedicated to studying the experiences of criminal justice-involved older adults and the drivers of later life health disparities in this population and to support researchers in developing innovative research questions and methodologies to advance this nascent field. The COVID-19 pandemic has only further highlighted the need for community- driven research on the health needs of incarcerated older adults. We propose an administrative supplement to support a Black early career investigator in conducting the critical foundational work needed to understand how incarcerated older adults, their loved ones, and their healthcare providers want to be engaged in research design and analysis. We will use that information to create an “Inside-Outside” Community Advisory Board (CAB) comprised of people who are in prison and in the community and work with the CAB to design a program of research in this area. The research and training proposed in this application will provide foundational knowledge to advance both the career of the diversity supplement candidate and the field of correctional health and aging.