TY - JOUR
T1 - Promoting cognitive health
T2 - A formative research collaboration of the healthy aging research network
AU - Laditka, James N.
AU - Beard, Renée L.
AU - Bryant, Lucinda L.
AU - Fetterman, David
AU - Hunter, Rebecca
AU - Ivey, Susan
AU - Logsdon, Rebecca G.
AU - Sharkey, Joseph R.
AU - Wu, Bei
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - Purpose: Evidence suggests that healthy lifestyles may help maintain cognitive health. The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network, 9 universities collaborating with their communities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is conducting a multiyear research project, begun in 2005, to understand how to translate this knowledge into public health interventions. Design and Methods: This article provides an overview of the study purpose, design, methods, and processes. We examined the literature on promoting cognitive health, convened a meeting of experts in cognitive health and public health interventions, identified research questions, developed a common focus group protocol and survey, established quality control and quality assurance processes, conducted focus groups, and analyzed the resulting data. Results: We conducted 55 focus groups with 450 participants in 2005-2007, and an additional 20 focus groups and in-depth interviews in 2007-2008. Focus groups were in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese, with African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, physicians and other health practitioners, rural and urban residents, individuals caring for family or friends with cognitive impairment, and cognitively impaired individuals. Implications: The data provide a wealth of opportunities for designing public health interventions to promote cognitive health in diverse populations.
AB - Purpose: Evidence suggests that healthy lifestyles may help maintain cognitive health. The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network, 9 universities collaborating with their communities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is conducting a multiyear research project, begun in 2005, to understand how to translate this knowledge into public health interventions. Design and Methods: This article provides an overview of the study purpose, design, methods, and processes. We examined the literature on promoting cognitive health, convened a meeting of experts in cognitive health and public health interventions, identified research questions, developed a common focus group protocol and survey, established quality control and quality assurance processes, conducted focus groups, and analyzed the resulting data. Results: We conducted 55 focus groups with 450 participants in 2005-2007, and an additional 20 focus groups and in-depth interviews in 2007-2008. Focus groups were in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese, with African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, physicians and other health practitioners, rural and urban residents, individuals caring for family or friends with cognitive impairment, and cognitively impaired individuals. Implications: The data provide a wealth of opportunities for designing public health interventions to promote cognitive health in diverse populations.
KW - Aging
KW - Attitudes about cognitive health
KW - Brain health
KW - Focus groups
KW - Health communication
KW - Nutrition
KW - Physical activity
KW - Public health interventions
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Social involvement
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=68149096913&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=68149096913&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/geront/gnp085
DO - 10.1093/geront/gnp085
M3 - Article
C2 - 19525211
AN - SCOPUS:68149096913
SN - 0016-9013
VL - 49
SP - S12-S17
JO - Gerontologist
JF - Gerontologist
IS - SUPPL. 1
ER -