Browsing by Subject "Hispanics"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Associations Between Clinical Functioning and Ad Biomarkers Among Hispanic and White Non-Hispanic Older Adults
    (Oxford University Press, 2023-12-21) Rodriguez, Miriam; Mendoza, Lisandra; Garcia, Patricia; Duart, Andres; Padron, Dilianna; Marsiske, Michael; Fiala, Jacob; Duara, Ranjan; Neurology, School of Medicine
    Objectives: Hispanics are 1.5x more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) when compared to White non-Hispanics (WNHs). There is also evidence to support that cognitive performance disproportionately reflects neuropathology among Hispanics and that functional decline is concurrent with the accumulation of AD biomarkers. The current study aimed to examine relationships between AD biomarkers and a functional measure among Hispanic and WNH older adults. It was hypothesized that the functional measure would be strongly related to AD biomarkers among Hispanics. Methods: The modified clinical dementia rating scale (mCDR) was administered in the participants primary language (English or Spanish) to WNH (n=203) and Hispanic (n=258) older adults who were cognitive normal or diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. Invariance SEM models were used to compare the pattern of relationships between the mCDR and neurocognitive test performance, MRI volumes, and amyloid load adjusting for age, education, ApoE4 status, and intracranial volume. Results: Model fit was good and not significantly worsened by imposing strict structural invariance. Nested model comparisons indicated that regression weights and correlations among measures differed by group, suggestive of moderation by Hispanic status. Among Hispanic participants, sex (♌=-0.17, p<.05) and Amyloid load (♌=0.25, p<.001) significantly predicted mCDR scores. MRI volumes significantly predicted MCDR scores among both Hispanic (♌=-0.51, p<.001) and WNH participants (♌= -0.42, p<.001). Conclusions: Functional measures like the mCDR may better correlate with Amyloid load among Hispanic older adults than among WNHs, while the correlation with MRI volumes may be comparable in both groups.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Binational/Cross-Cultural Health Enhancement
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2011-04-08) Martinez Mier, EA; Stelzner, SM; Soto-Rojas, EA
    The Binational/Cross-Cultural Health Enhancement Center (BiCCHEC) fosters multidisciplinary research collaborations that address the biological, cultural, historical, legal, behavioral and demographic issues that impact the health status of communities where Hispanics are born and where they live in Indiana. BiCCHEC, with a commitment not only to research but also to teaching and service, develops and utilizes approaches, programs, training, and applications that are culturally relevant, practical, just, reciprocal, and always in partnership with communities. As communities become more and more diverse, obstacles to health and wellbeing created by language and cultural differences emerge. Finding ways to improve the availability of health services and eliminate health disparities for an increasingly diverse and mobile community is a commitment of the center. Since its 2007, BiCCHEC members have submitted sixty three internal and external grants of which thirty one have been funded for over $900,000. They have published 31 peerreviewed articles or book chapters and presented their research findings in 81 symposiums, showcases, workshops or conferences as keynote speakers, panel discussants or speakers. BiCCHEC projects are multidisciplinary; approximately 80% of the projects involve two or more IUPUI schools. BiCCHEC projects are also collaborative; approximately 70% of the projects have one or more community partners. BiCCHEC’s main community partners are La Plaza, Inc., the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), Friends of Hidalgo, and more recently the Indiana Latino Institute. BiCCHEC conducts research with a commitment to service and education. Members have mentored 111 students in research and service-learning projects.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Community Needs Assessment of the Physical Activity and Food Environment in a Predominantly Hispanic U.S. City
    (Springer, 2016-09) Lebron, Cynthia; Stoutenberg, Mark; Portacio, Francia; Zollinger, Terrell W.; Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    Introduction: Hispanics suffer disproportionately compared with non-Hispanic Whites from health conditions that are affected by physical inactivity and poor dietary habits. Method: A needs assessment was conducted in Hialeah, Florida, the largest enclave of Cubans in the United States, to assess the perspectives of community stakeholders and members regarding the roles of physical activity and nutrition environments. Interviews were performed with community stakeholders (n = 21), and responses were grouped into major themes. Surveys were conducted with community members (n = 85). Descriptive analyses were used to categorize responses and potential differences across responses were explored. Results: Both community members and stakeholders reported that the local park system was a major asset to healthy living in Hialeah and agreed that traffic issues and a lack of walkability were major barriers to being physically active; however, there was variability in the response to the quality of the food environment. Conclusion: The perspectives of the community members and stakeholders will be valuable in highlighting pathways to enhancing the health and wellness of the residents of Hialeah.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Functional measures and AD biomarkers among Hispanic and White non-Hispanic older adults
    (Wiley, 2024-08-10) Rodriguez, Miriam J.; Mendoza, Lisandra; Garcia, Patricia; Duarte, Andres; Padron, Dilianna; Marsiske, Michael; Fiala, Jacob; Gonzalez, Joanna; Duara, Ranjan; Neurology, School of Medicine
    Introduction: Poorer baseline functioning is associated with long-term cognitive decline among Hispanic older adults, but little is known about associations of these factors with Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuroimaging biomarkers. Methods: A total of 461 Hispanic and White non-Hispanic (NHW) older adults who are cognitively normal (n = 76), had impaired cognition without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 41), or carried a diagnosis of MCI (n = 253) or dementia (n = 91) completed neuropsychological and functional assessment, genetic testing, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine predictive associations between functional and cognitive measures of AD neuroimaging biomarkers. Results: MRI volumes significantly predicted functional limitations in both groups. Sex and amyloid load significantly predicted functional limitations among the Hispanic group only. Years of education and MRI regional volume were the strongest predictors of cognition among both groups. Discussion: Results indicate that functional performance is associated with early AD biomarkers among Hispanic older adults. Clinical implications are discussed. Highlights: The current study addresses health disparities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia assessment among Hispanics by identifying measures sensitive to early AD biomarkers.Associations of functional measures with AD genetic and neuroimaging biomarkers revealed that similarities in these associations exist between Hispanic and White non-Hispanic individuals, but biological sex and amyloid load significantly predicted functional limitations among the Hispanic group only.These results have clinical implications for physicians who treat Hispanic AD patients and indicate that when compared to traditional diagnostic assessments, functional assessments may better aid in AD diagnostic precision among Hispanics.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Identifying Sociological Motivation of Hispanic/LatinoSport Consumers Attending Sporting Events
    (2010) Lee, Soonhwan; Shin, Hongbum; Shinchi, Takahiro
    While Hispanic/Latino's population and purchasing power has been rapidly growing and they are expected to have the potential to be massive sport customers in the future (McCarthy, 1998; Humphreys, 2006), there are little information reported to identify motivation of Hispanic/Latino sport consumers' attending sporting events. This study was aimed to identify sociological motivation of Hispanic/Latino sport consumers by using modified existing motivation scales (i.e., SFMS by Wann, Brewer, & Royalty, 1999; SAM by Zhang, Pease, Lam, Bellerive, Pham, Williamson, Lee, and Wall, 2001). The findings of this study revealed Hispanic/Latino's demographic characteristics and particular sociological motivations for attending sporting events. This study also indicated several implications focusing on Hispanics/Latinos as potential future sport customers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Illness Representations of Breast Cancer among Hispanics
    (2011-03-09) Hernandez, Ann Marie; Bigatti, Silvia M.; Johnson, Kathy E.; Bond, Gary R.; Wagner, Christina
    Hispanics are more likely to die from breast cancer compared to non - Hispanic whites matched on stage and age at diagnosis. Higher mortality rates among Hispanics are attributed to cancer - related disparities across the cancer continuum including later - stage detection. While research has shown that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the development and maintenance of cancer - related disparities, differences persist when these factors are controlled. Thus far, research on cultural factors and cognitions surrounding cancer is limited. The current study investigated illness representations of cancer and their determinants among Hispanic men and women (N = 120) using a cross - sectional survey approach. The study sample was comprised of predominantly first generation, employed Hispanic women in their early - thirties from Mexico. Most had not resided in the U.S. for more than 5 - 9 years. Half of the sample reported an annual income of $20,001 - $30,000 and completing at least a middle school education. While the majority indicated that they did not have health insurance, most indicated that they did have a regular source of health care. Additionally, while most had not been diagnosed with cancer, nearly half of the sample knew of someone diagnosed with cancer. Descriptive data regarding illness identity, illness coherence, timeline, causes, consequences, and controllability are provided. Results suggest that demographic factors (i.e. acculturation, education, and income), cultural constructs (i.e. fatalism and familism), intrapersonal factors (state and trait anxiety), and previous experience with cancer were associated with illness representations of breast cancer. The study adds to theliterature by systematically investigate illness representations of breast cancer and their determinants among a diverse sample of Hispanic men and women. This is a significant first step that can be used to guide and develop effective and culturally appropriate interventions that ultimately reduce disparities across the cancer continuum.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    PILOT APPRAISAL OF VARIABLES AMONG MEXICAN-AMERICANS FOR SOCIAL NETWORKS ANALYSIS
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2010-04-09) Maupome, Gerardo; Wright, E.; Martinez-Mier, E.A.; Medina-Solis, C.E.
    Hispanics in the USA often suffer poor oral health. More appropriate solutions may be designed if we move beyond the simplistic interpretation of poor oral outcomes being associated with 1-2 variables, e.g., language; such an approach has failed to provide consistent interpretations, and offers no points for intervention. We propose to examine a constellation of variables interwoven into multilevel strategies under a new(er) paradigm, social network theories (http://cmol.nbi.dk/models/infoflow/infoflow.html). Objectives: To qualitatively identify domains of variables modulating oral health outcomes among 1st-2nd generation MexicanAmerican immigrants. Methods: Through key informant interviews, we ascertained KAB variables in immigrant families originating in Jalisco, Mexico. This community has had a strong, revolving presence for decades in a well-delimited location in Indianapolis, IN, around St. Patrick’s parish. We did not conduct clinical exams but used questions from American national surveys to document health perceptions, availability of dental services/insurance, presence of dental pain and impaired function in adults and children, and family structure and sociodemographic profiles during a Catholic festival (no incentives, no appointments). Data were content-analyzed. Results: Data were collected from 22 parent-child dyads (15 female adults, 7 male; mean age 24±6.3yrs; data from the oldest child and the interviewee). Frequencies of dental emergencies and acute problems varied markedly, with recurrence patterns. A minority exhibited consistent dental attendance, often enabled by public/private dental insurance. Time in the USA varied considerably, with 1st and 2nd generation immigrant parents and children sharing the household. Occupations ranged from manual to clerical, and education from elementary to college among adults. Conclusion: Interviews were feasible and acceptable, and the experience informed future fieldwork considerations. We are using the variables to design a social networks study to characterize the evolution of patterns between families in Indianapolis and among peers living in Jalisco, aiming to measure impacts ascribable to immigration along acculturation spectra.