Center for Aging in Diverse Communities: Ending Health Inequities in Older Adults

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – OVERALL The US population is rapidly aging and becoming more diverse. Yet substantial disparities in health outcomes remain for older adult populations from diverse communities. In order to achieve health equity for older adults, NIA’s Strategic Directions for Research, 2020-2025 Goal F is to ‘understand health disparities related to aging and develop strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations.’ Accordingly, the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities (CADC) at the University of California San Francisco’s research theme is to understand multilevel social and behavioral mechanisms of health disparities impacting older adults and develop interventions to achieve health equity. Growth and diversification of the research workforce to investigate the mechanisms of health disparities and identify solutions for older adults is crucial. NIA’s Goal G is to ‘support the infrastructure and resources needed to promote high-quality research’, a goal shared by CADC. A Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) since 1997, CADC has a successful track record of providing pilot study funding, comprehensive training in behavioral and social research on aging and older adults (aging-related health disparities research), and longitudinal mentorship of early-stage diverse researchers until they obtain independence. CADC’s Faculty have a multiplicity of social and behavioral focused aging-related health disparities research expertise and a wealth of experience mentoring diverse early-stage investigators in establishing sustained research careers. CADC has closely mentored 99 diverse Scientists (20 in the 2018-2023 cycle) from traditionally excluded and underrepresented in research groups. CADC’s goal for this proposed renewal is to build on our position of strength to advance NIA's Strategic Plan. With a focus on our research theme, CADC will accomplish the following Specific Aims: 1) select 3-4 CADC Scientists per year, provide pilot study funding, train them in social and behavioral research methods tailored to their pilot and subsequent research and mentor them to develop independent, sustained careers in aging- related health disparities research; 2) develop methodological resources as needed by our Scientists to promote and build capacity in utilizing optimal methods in aging-related health disparities research and disseminate these resources through publications and our website; 3) expand joint research and mentoring collaborative activities between CADC and our newly affiliated Hispanic serving institution, University of California Merced (UCM), and between CADC and other UCSF NIA/NIH sponsored centers, programs, and aging-related researchers; 4) maintain CADC’s structure, processes, and culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) to effectively mentor CADC Scientists and coordinate all CADC Core activities and external activities with other RCMARs and the RCMAR Coordinating Center. Through impactful research, CADC Faculty and Scientists will contribute to improving the health status for older adults in diverse populations and achieving health equity.