Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Older New York City Residents Living at Home.

To describe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults living in non-institutionalized settings in New York City (NYC) we used random digit dial sampling of landlines phones to sample then interview residents 70 years and older in NYC from December 2020-March 2021. Socio-demographic, health characteristics and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were solicited. Of 676 respondents, the average age was 78, 60% were female, and 63% had ever been tested for SARS-CoV-2, with 12% testing positive. Sixty-three percent of respondents knew someone who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 51% reported knowing at least one person who had died from COVID-19. Eight percent of respondents reported sometimes or often not having enough to eat, with 31% receiving food from a food pantry program. Significantly more Latinx respondents (24%) reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, whereas 17% of those of another race, 8% of white, and 7% of Black respondents had a positive COVID-19 test (p < 0.01). Forty-three percent of Black and 43% of Latinx respondents reported using a food pantry during COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 35% of respondents of another race and ethnicity and 18% of whites (p < 0.01). Twenty-nine percent of Latinx respondents screened for depression compared to 15% among all other races (p = 0.04). The COVID-19 pandemic has substantial health and social effects on older New Yorkers living in community settings, and experiences differed by race and ethnicity. Beyond older adults in congregate settings, those living at home have experienced wide-ranging effects of COVID-19, necessitating tailored interventions.

Acculturation, family cohesion, and mental health among Latinos living with HIV on the U.S.-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate whether acculturation to U.S. culture is associated with greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology through diminished family cohesion among Latinos living with HIV on the U.S.-Mexico border. METHOD: Baseline survey data were analyzed from a sample of Latinos seeking HIV care from a publicly funded HIV clinic in El Paso, Texas. We used a regression-based bootstrapping approach to test our mediation hypothesis. RESULTS: A total of 248 Latinos living with HIV completed the survey, with 96.4% being of Mexican descent, 19.4% female (gender self-identification), and 63.7% nonheterosexual (sexual orientation self-identification). Family cohesion mediated the relationship between U.S. acculturation and PTSD symptom scores (a1 ⁎ b1 = .03, 95% confidence interval [.01-.06]), an effect independent of acculturation to Latino culture. CONCLUSIONS: Acculturation to U.S. culture may negatively impact mental health through weakening family bonds in this vulnerable population. (PsycINFO Database Record

Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U): Short-term outcomes of a training program to advance diversity in aging research.

Purpose: The Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U) program, funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association, aims to advance diversity in aging research through undergraduate education. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of the program in cultivating a diverse cohort of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. Method: Forty-eight (96%) of 50 STAR U alumni completed a program evaluation survey between April and August 2023. The survey collected data on demographic characteristics of the alumni, educational/career goals, program experiences, and post-program outcomes, including information about continued education and scientific engagement. Results: Ninety-one percent of respondents indicated that STAR U was "extremely significant" or "very significant" in influencing them to pursue a career in science, and 93% found STAR U to be effective in influencing decisions to pursue a career in aging research specifically. Forty one percent of all respondents were already accepted or enrolled in science-related advanced degree programs, with half enrolled in doctoral degree programs. Of the students who were not enrolled in graduate school, 89% of respondents indicated they had plans to enroll in advanced degrees in the future. Respondents actively disseminated their research, with 10% of STAR U scholars reporting leading or co-authoring papers intended for publication in a peer-reviewed journal (10%). In fact, review of PubMed shows that to date, 22 students (44%) have a combined total of 44 publications in peer reviewed journals. Qualitative feedback underscored the program's impact on career exploration, as well as the impact of mentorship and the supportive environment provided by STAR U. Conclusions: The STAR U program shows promise as an impactful model for advancing diversity in the scientific workforce focused on aging research by strengthening scholars' goals for pursuing graduate education, careers in science, and research in aging in particular. Its individualized approach supports students in addressing challenges and fosters a supportive environment. STAR U serves as a catalyst for underrepresented students in STEM, showcasing the significance of tailored initiatives in promoting diversity and inclusion in aging research.

Transforming patient-centered cancer care using telehealth: the MATCHES Center.

Modern cancer care is costly and logistically burdensome for patients and their families despite an expansion of technology and medical advances that create the opportunity for novel approaches to care. Therefore, there is a growing appreciation for the need to leverage these innovations to make cancer care more patient centered and convenient. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Making Telehealth Delivery of Cancer Care at Home Efficient and Safe Telehealth Research Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated and funded Telehealth Research Center of Excellence poised to generate the evidence necessary to inform the appropriate use of telehealth as a strategy to improve access to cancer services that are convenient for patients. The center will evaluate telehealth as a strategy to personalize cancer care delivery to ensure that it is not only safe and effective but also convenient and efficient. In this article, we outline this new center's research strategy, as well as highlight challenges that exist in further integrating telehealth into standard oncology practice based on early experiences.