Understanding how neighborhoods throughout life affect Alzheimer's risk in Hispanic older adults
Associations between neighborhood environments across the life course and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia outcomes among Hispanic older adults born in and outside the US
This project looks at how the places Hispanic older adults live throughout their lives might connect to their risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141759 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The project aims to understand why Hispanic older adults face a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared to White older adults. Researchers will look at how social and built environments, like access to green spaces or neighborhood socioeconomic status, influence brain health over a person's lifetime. They will use existing data from Hispanic participants in the Healthy Brain Initiative, a long-term study in South Florida, to see if these neighborhood factors affect ADRD risk differently for those born in the US versus those born elsewhere. Additionally, a small group of Hispanic older adults will be interviewed to gain deeper insights into their neighborhood experiences and health habits. This work seeks to characterize life course neighborhood environments and their association with late-life ADRD outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data from Hispanic participants in the Healthy Brain Initiative in South Florida, and also seeks to interview a small group of Hispanic older adults.
Not a fit: Patients not of Hispanic ethnicity or those outside the South Florida region who are not part of the Healthy Brain Initiative cohort would not directly participate in this specific data analysis or interviews.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us understand how neighborhood environments contribute to Alzheimer's risk, potentially leading to strategies that create healthier communities and reduce dementia rates, especially for Hispanic populations.
How similar studies have performed: While research on neighborhood environments and ADRD is growing, this specific focus on life course neighborhood environments and how they differ by place of birth among Hispanic populations is less explored.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Besser, Lilah — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Besser, Lilah
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.