A Community Engaged Study of Social Networks and Long-Term Care

PI: Xi Zhu
Funding Source: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. Zhu will advise study investigators in collecting social network measures and in analyzing data using advanced network analysis techniques.

ARRA: RCT of Two Speed of Processing Modes to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: US Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health

This project builds on previous research showing that age-related cognitive decline is amenable to intervention. Through randomized controlled trials we hope to show that a value-added version of ACTIVE that can be used on home computers is at least as efficacious as the original implementation at reducing or preventing age-related cognitive decline.

Co-Management of Back Pain by Chiropractic and Medical Physicians

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: Palmer Chiropractic University/US Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration

This project is designed to address three interrelated specific aims: (1) characterizing co-occurrence of chiropractic and medical physician treatments for older adults with back pain; (2) development of a multi-disciplinary model for patient-centered collaborative care between chiropractic and medical physicians for older adults with back pain; and, (3) comparing the clinical effectiveness of this collaborative care model with conventional medical care and a co-occurrence model for older adults with back pain in a large, prospective cohort study.

Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Program – An Analysis

PI: A. Clinton MacKinney
Funding Source: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Our goal is to provide the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) an in-depth analysis of the FESC program that is both comprehensive and credible. We anticipate that our report will be the foundation for policy discussions to support continuation and/or expansion of the FESC program.

Health Service Use at the End of Life: A Biracial Population Study of AD

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: Rush University Medical Center/US Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health

This project examines the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive decline with the use of health care services at the end of life, focusing on comparisons among people with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and normal cognition.

Heterogeneity in the Impact of Tobacco Policies across Racial and Ethnic Groups

PI: Padmaja Ayyagari
Funding Source: University of Iowa College of Public Health

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the U.S. with an estimated 400,000 annual deaths attributed to smoking. Ayyagari’s research will study heterogeneity in the impact of policy instruments, such as excise tax on tobacco and smoking bans, on tobacco use. Specifically, the project will examine whether these policies have differential effects on the smoking behavior of individuals belonging to different racial and/or ethnic groups.

Identifying Re-Hospitalization Trajectories and Their Antecedents

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: US Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The project involves identifying re-hospitalization “gap-time” (i.e., the number of days between index and re-hospitalization episodes) trajectories among Medicare beneficiaries in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The second specific aim involves identifying the antecedents of those trajectories among Medicare beneficiaries, first using only administrative (claims) data (reflecting predictive models that CMS could readily implement without additional data collection), and then incorporating information from the baseline and biennial follow-up HRS interviews (reflecting the potential benefit of acquiring additional information on Medicare beneficiaries on a routine basis).

Physical Frailty in Urban African Americans

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: Indiana University

The objective of this study is to continue annual follow-ups of the 865 surviving members of the original random sample of 998 middle aged African Americans living in two geographic areas of St. Louis, MO. The project focuses on three specific aims: 1) investigate further the timing, antecedents, sequence, and consequences of the disablement process; 2) study recovery from disablement; and 3) examine longitudinally the antecedents and consequences of sarcopenia.

Rapid Response to Requests for Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies

PI: Keith Mueller
Funding Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/US Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration

This subaward to the University of Iowa from the University of North Carolina involves two primary tasks. These tasks are to respond rapidly to requests for rural data analysis and to conduct issue-specific rural research studies within 9 to 12 months from the date of request for the study.

Rural Policy Analysis Cooperative Agreement

PI: Keith Mueller
Funding Source: University of Missouri-Columbia/US Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration

The RUPRI Health Panel will continue its analysis of proposals to reform health care delivery and finance in the US. Our work will produce brief analytical papers (ranging from quick analysis products to policy briefs) that the Office of Rural Health Policy will disseminate through its web site and the reform web site of the DHHS.

Use of Health Services by Caregivers in an Older Biracial Population Sample

PI: Fredric Wolinsky
Funding Source: Rush University Medical Center/US Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health

Informal caregivers are a vital part of the health care system and their importance will grow with the aging of the US population. The general hypothesis is that self-care is compromised among caregivers, especially those experiencing emotional strain, resulting in greater progression of treatable conditions, as shown by patterns of service use.