Project Grant R21AG089003

This federal Project Grant award from the National Institute on Aging (CFDA 93.866 - Aging Research) totaling $205,030 provides funding to the University of Miami to conduct research on the associations between neighborhood environments across the life course and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) outcomes among Hispanic older adults born in and outside the U.S.

The key objectives of this study are to: 1) characterize life course neighborhood social and built environment exposures and how they differ between Hispanic individuals born in and outside the U.S.; 2) determine whether associations between life course neighborhood exposures and late-life ADRD outcomes vary by place of birth and percentage of life lived in the U.S.; and 3) conduct interviews to develop a richer understanding of neighborhood environments, associated health behaviors, and exposures experienced throughout the life course and how they differ based on place of birth. The research will leverage data from the Healthy Brain Initiative longitudinal cohort study and employ geographic information systems analysis techniques. Findings will inform the development of instruments and measurement of key neighborhood features relevant for immigrant and Hispanic populations to advance research on ADRD disparities.