Increasing Representation/Inclusivity Of Older Adults And Investigators From Minoritized Groups In Aging Research.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific research, developing training and the science workforce, and promoting public health initiatives. However, the benefits of the NIA's work have not been equally distributed among all older adult population groups, highlighting persistent disparities in chronic illness burden and access to healthcare and research. As the NIA commemorates its 50th anniversary, this milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on its consequential initiatives and accomplishments while also strategizing for the robust inclusion of underrepresented and minoritized populations and the future health of our Nation's older adult population.

Paper 3: a systematic review of definitions for "racial health equity" and related terms within health-related articles.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate definitions of "racial health equity" (RHE) and related terms within health-related academic literature.

Study Design And Setting: We systematically evaluated definitions of RHE and related terms within health-related academic articles. Articles published in English were included, and no date restrictions were imposed.

Paper 1: introduction to the series.

Objectives: Systematic reviews hold immense promise as tools to highlight evidence-based practices that can reduce or aim to eliminate racial health disparities. Currently, consensus on centering racial health equity in systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis products is lacking. Centering racial health equity implies concentrating or focusing attention on health equity in ways that bring attention to the perspectives or needs of groups that are typically marginalized.

The (in)visible Brazilians: A perspective review on the need for brain health and dementia research with Brazilian immigrants in the United States.

Introduction: The Brazilian population in the United States (U.S.), a Latinx subgroup, is rapidly growing and aging but remains underrepresented in U.

Association between genetic polymorphisms and risk of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in case-control studies: a systematic review.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a structural lateral spinal curvature of ≥10° with rotation. Approximately 2%-3% of children across populations are affected with AIS, and this condition is responsible for ~$3 billion in costs within the USA. Although AIS is believed to have a strong genetic contribution, clinical translation of identified genetic variants has stalled.

Depletion of pyruvate kinase (PK) activity causes glycolytic intermediate imbalances and reveals a PK-TXNIP regulatory axis.

Objective: Cancer cells convert more glucose into lactate than healthy cells, what contributes to their growth advantage. Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key rate limiting enzyme in this process, what makes it a promising potential therapeutic target. However, currently it is still unclear what consequences the inhibition of PK has on cellular processes.

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.

The association between isometric strength and cognitive function in adults with cerebral palsy.

Background: The literature supports quantifying the maximum force/tension generated by one's forearm muscles such as the hand grip strength (HGS) to screen for physical and cognitive frailty in older adults. Thus, we postulate that individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), who are at higher risk for premature aging, could benefit from tools that objectively measure muscle strength as a functional biomarker to detect frailty and cognitive decline. This study assesses the clinical relevancy of the former and quantifies isometric muscle strength to determine its association with cognitive function in adults with CP.

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.

Using an academic-community partnership model to deliver evidence-based falls prevention programs in a metropolitan setting: A community case study.

Background: Prevention is an effective approach for mitigating the negative health outcomes associated with falls in older adults. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has sponsored the implementation of evidence-based falls prevention programs (EBFPPs) across the United States through cooperative agreement grants to decrease the health and economic burden of falls. Marymount University received two of these grants to deliver three EBFPPs into the northern Virginia region.