Advance-CTR

Advance RI-CTR Pilot Projects Program (Cycle 8)

"Cultural Adaptation of a Health Behavior Change Program to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk in Latino Adults"

Dr. Korthauer’s goal with this project is to take preliminary steps to guide the cultural adaptation of a personalized healthy living education program to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease among Spanish-speaking, Latino adults. This work is important, because Latinos are 1.5 times more likely than non-Latino whites to develop Alzheimer's disease. Engaging in brain health-relevant behaviors can substantially lower risk for Alzheimer's disease.

There is a strong public health need to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Health inequities affecting Hispanic/Latino/a ("Latino") adults mean that they are expected to have the steepest increase in AD over the next 40 years. Twelve modifiable risk factors account for 40% of dementias worldwide, and engaging in healthy activities such as physical activity, brain healthy diet, adequate sleep, diabetes management, and cognitive activity can significantly reduce AD risk. Dr. Korthauer’s study applies the Health Belief Model to AD risk reduction among Spanish-speaking, Latino adults. As a preliminary step in adapting an existing education intervention, the following aims will be completed: 1) qualitative interviews to determine the acceptability, appropriateness, and applicability of health belief constructs among Latino adults; 2) develop a linguistically and culturally adapted personal health belief assessment and collect pilot psychometric data; and 3) conduct stakeholder interviews to identify community needs and guide adaptation of the intervention. Successful completion of these aims will provide a critical first step in culturally adapting a health education intervention to address health inequities among Spanish-speaking Latino adults.

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