Exploring Social Support Strategies and Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Social Isolation and Loneliness: The Role of Digital Literacy.

Background/objectives: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (L) are the long-standing critical concerns impacting the mental well-being of older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to a notable rise in perceived social isolation (PSI) and its associated risks among an aging population. Reportedly, nearly 35% of older Americans felt lonely before the pandemic, with the pandemic further intensifying these feelings.

Exploring the relationship between cognition and mental health in intersex participants in the UK Biobank study.

The physical and mental health of intersex individuals is woefully understudied. A recent survey of intersex individuals found high rates of self-reported cognitive issues such as difficulty remembering and concentrating as well as high rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The current study explores whether cognitive differences are observed between 353 intersex and over 400,000 non-intersex people using a latent model of cognitive tasks derived from measures in the UK (United Kingdom) Biobank study.

Using concept mapping to co-create implementation strategies to address maternal-child food insecurity during the first 1000 days of life.

Food insecurity (FI) has short- and long-term effects on maternal and child health, with persistent inequities within under-resourced communities of colour (e.g., Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black).

Corrigendum: Neurocognitive health in LGBTQIA+ older adults: current state of research and recommendations.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.

Using concept mapping to identify recruitment and engagement strategies for inclusion of LGBTQIA+ populations in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research.

Introduction: Past Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research has not considered ways to ensure the representation of diverse sexual and gender minorities. This study used concept mapping (CM) to identify strategies for engaging and recruiting LGBTQIA+ older adults living with memory loss and their caregivers into ADRD research.

Methods: CM, involving brainstorming, thematic analysis, and rating of strategies, was conducted with 46 members from one national and three local community advisory boards.

Prescription Painkiller Misuse in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Adults Ages 50 and Older: Trends and Correlates in a National Sample, 2015-2019.

: Older adults, an increasingly diverse segment of the United States population, are a priority population for prescription painkiller misuse. This study documents trends and correlates of prescription painkiller misuse among Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults ages 50 and older. : A secondary analysis of adults 50 years and older across 5 cohorts using the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (unweighted  = 16,181, 8.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Experiences During, Awareness of, and Attitudes Toward Research for People With Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: Presentation, progression, and treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) can differ based on sex and gender. However, knowledge on PD is limited by the characteristics of research participants, and most of the participants are men. In this study, we aimed to identify the attitudes toward and barriers to research participation for people with PD (PwP) based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Awareness and Knowledge of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder Among Middle-Aged and Older People Living With HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada: Implications for HIV/AIDS Community-Based Education Programs.

Although a significant amount of biomedical research has been conducted to study HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), there has been scant research done to assess the awareness and knowledge of this public health concern among middle-aged and older people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Our qualitative community-based participatory research study sought to address this research gap by examining the awareness and knowledge of HAND among relevant stakeholders in southern Nevada, USA. We conducted 15 semistructured interviews with middle-aged and older PLWH to examine their awareness and knowledge of HAND and access to pertinent resources.

Characterizing Multimorbidity Prevalence and Adverse Outcomes in Ethnically and Culturally Diverse Sub-Populations in India: Gaps, Opportunities, and Future Directions.

India is a large middle-income country and has surpassed China in overall population, comprising 20% of the global population (over 1.43 billion people). India is experiencing a major demographic shift in its aging population.

Promoting diverse perspectives: Addressing health disparities related to Alzheimer's and all dementias.

Dementia research lacks appropriate representation of diverse groups who often face substantial adversity and greater risk of dementia. Current research participants are primarily well-resourced, non-Hispanic White, cisgender adults who live close to academic medical centers where much of the research is based. Consequently, the field faces a knowledge gap about Alzheimer's-related risk factors in those other groups.

Synthesizing Best Practices to Promote Health Equity for Older Adults Through Community-Engaged Research.

Achieving health equity requires creating evidence that reflects the nuance and diversity of experiences among populations disproportionately impacted by age- and race-related disparities. Community-engaged research (CEnR) is one way to pursue equity in research on health and aging to ensure the relevance and translational potential of findings. The current review synthesizes best practices regarding CEnR that promote health equity among older adults, including an overview of CEnR, benefits, and fundamental principles, and three research exemplars from the authors' CEnR.

Risk of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Among People Who Develop Cognitive Impairment With and Without a History of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

We aimed to prospectively assess the change in neuropsychiatric symptoms among people who develop cognitive impairment and have a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We analyzed longitudinal data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Unified Data Set (March 2015 to December 2021). Analyses included individuals who were cognitively normal and who had nonmissing assessment of PTSD at the initial visit and had at least 1 follow-up visit with cognitive impairment.

Use of Digital Health Resources by Sexual and Gender Minority Caregivers of Older Adults: Findings From the 2020 Survey.

We applied Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to investigate the health needs and use of digital health resources among sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) caregivers. Data were from the 2020 survey. Regression analyses were used to describe associations between predisposing, enabling, and need factors and usage of digital health resources.

Scoping Literature Review: Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults, With Diagnoses of Dementia, Who Use Residential Long-Term Services and Supports.

The number of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults utilizing residential long-term supports and services (LTSS) will increase in the forthcoming decades. Paradoxically, while requiring more LTSS services than their non-SGM counterparts, SGM older adults are less likely to access these services, partly due to fears of discrimination. Furthermore, SGM older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) present unique challenges and opportunities for LTSS facilities.

A Focus on Aging, HIV/AIDS, and Neurocognitive Challenges: Examining Southern Nevada HIV Sector Providers' Awareness and Prospective Roles.

Although abundant research has been carried out to investigate the underlying mechanisms that may cause neurocognitive challenges among middle-aged and older people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), to monitor the prevalence rates of HIV-related neurocognitive deficits, and to identify factors related to the improvement of diagnostic screening tools, classification and nosology, and clinical and rehabilitative treatment of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND); to date, there have been only a few studies that have explored and examined the awareness and work experiences HIV sector healthcare and service providers have related to HAND. To address this research gap, we conducted a qualitative, community-based participatory research study and interviewed 12 HIV sector providers in Southern Nevada, USA, from January to April 2022. After performing a thematic analysis of our interviews, we were able to identify two major themes and several sub-themes.

Cognitive Impairment in Sexual and Gender Minority Groups: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

The purpose of this review was to synthesize evidence on differences in cognitive impairment by sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI) status. A scoping review of the literature was conducted. Five databases (PubMed/Medline, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Embase) were searched for primary articles comparing incidence or prevalence of cognitive impairment among sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups versus non-SGM groups.

Medical Mistrust Mediates the Relationship Between Nonconsensual Intersex Surgery and Healthcare Avoidance Among Intersex Adults.

Background: Intersex individuals experience poor health due, in part, to healthcare avoidance. Nonconsensual intersex surgery may contribute to medical mistrust and avoidance among intersex populations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and healthcare avoidance among intersex populations and to examine if medical mistrust mediates this relationship.

"Going Back in the Closet": Addressing Discrimination Against Sexual and Gender Minority Residents in Long-Term Services and Supports by Providing Culturally Responsive Care.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults face discrimination in long-term services and supports (LTSS). Yet, SGM older adults use LTSS disproportionately higher relative to their non-SGM counterparts. The discrimination is compounded by existing disparities, resulting in worse health outcomes and well-being for SGM older adults.

Global rural health disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: State of the science.

Introduction: Individuals living in rural communities are at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), which parallels other persistent place-based health disparities. Identifying multiple potentially modifiable risk factors specific to rural areas that contribute to ADRD is an essential first step in understanding the complex interplay between various barriers and facilitators.

Methods: An interdisciplinary, international group of ADRD researchers convened to address the overarching question of: "What can be done to begin minimizing the rural health disparities that contribute uniquely to ADRD?" In this state of the science appraisal, we explore what is known about the biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental influences on ADRD disparities in rural settings.

Discordance in chromosomal and self-reported sex in the UK Biobank: Implications for transgender- and intersex-inclusive data collection.

There is growing need to distinguish between sex and gender. While sex is assigned at birth, gender is socially constructed and may not correspond to one's assigned sex. However, in most research studies, sex or gender is assessed in isolation or the terms are used interchangeably, which has implications for research accuracy and inclusivity.

The structural and social determinants of Alzheimer's disease related dementias.

Introduction: The projected growth of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) cases by midcentury has expanded the research field and impelled new lines of inquiry into structural and social determinants of health (S/SDOH) as fundamental drivers of disparities in AD/ADRD.

Methods: In this review, we employ Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory as a framework to posit how S/SDOH impact AD/ADRD risk and outcomes.

Results: Bronfenbrenner defined the "macrosystem" as the realm of power (structural) systems that drive S/SDOH and that are the root cause of health disparities.

Perceived Discrimination in Health Care for LGBTQIA+ People Living With Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives: People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, other non-cisgender, and non-heterosexual identities (LGBTQIA+) experience discrimination when accessing health care. We investigated specific experiences of LGBTQIA+ people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) as they are less known.

Methods: Data were obtained from Fox Insight for PwP identifying as LGBTQIA+ (n = 210), cisgender, heterosexual women (n = 2,373) or cisgender, heterosexual men (n = 2,453).

A systematic review of measures of gender and biological sex: Exploring candidates for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) research.

Background: Gender and biological sex are social and structural determinants of health and umbrella concepts encompassing many distinct attributes. This systematic review summarizes measures of gender and biological sex published in the biomedical literature. The goal was to identify measures that may be useful to researchers studying Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD).