A pedagogical strategy addressing an unmet need: Making the biology of aging an accessible part of interdisciplinary gerontology education.

In an age of specialization, obstacles to interdisciplinary training and integrated intellectual growth are expected. One such obstacle to graduate-level training in gerontology is the challenge of making the biology of aging accessible to nonbiologists. In this article, the authors' aim is to share 15 years of experience developing a pedagogical strategy that situates the biology of aging as an accessible part of interdisciplinary gerontology education for nonbiologists and biologists alike. The approach hinges on a four-pronged learning opportunity-four course offerings-that places high priority on exactitude with language and sees development of an attitude of precision with language as essential to intellectual growth. By inspiring students to master language in the key of B-Biology of Aging-we unleash a versatile method for developing cross-disciplinary discoverers prepared for a lifetime of seeing and reporting.

The association between family caregivers' involvement in managing older adults' medications and caregivers' information-seeking behavior.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To explore the association between family caregivers' involvement in managing care recipients' medications and their information-seeking behavior related to caregiving; and 2) to examine the sources used by caregivers when seeking information. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from 2 national studies, the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and its supplement, the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), was conducted. A nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults (≥65 years of age) completed NHATS interviews, and a sample of their family caregivers participated in NSOC. Caregiver involvement in medication management was assessed with the use of 2 items asking caregivers if they helped keep track of care recipients' medications or helped with injecting medications. Information seeking was assessed with the use of an item asking caregivers if they ever looked for caregiving-related information. RESULTS: Out of 1367 caregivers interviewed, 54% reported helping to keep track of care recipients' medications and 8.7% assisting with injecting medications. Approximately 10.2% (n = 149) of caregivers reported seeking information to help them care for their care recipients. Caregivers sought information primarily on their own either through online resources or asking friends or relatives (73.3%). Sixty-four percent also sought information from medical providers or social workers. Adult children of caregivers were more likely to seek information for their older adult parents, based on bivariate analysis (P <0.01). In multivariable-adjusted models, caregivers who helped to keep track of medications had 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18 to 4.51) times higher odds of seeking information to help them to provide care for their care recipients. Caregivers helping with injecting medications were less likely to seek information (odds ratio 0.32, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Specific caregiver responsibilities, such as assisting with medication management activities, are associated with caregivers' information-seeking behavior related to care recipients' health. Health care providers, including pharmacists, can play an important role in helping caregivers to identify proper resources for information and in educating them about medication management.

Focus Group Study of Chinese International Students' Knowledge and Beliefs About HPV Vaccination, Before and After Reading an Informational Pamphlet About Gardasil(®).

An increasing need for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in China remains unmet in the mainland and the knowledge and intentions of Chinese youth regarding vaccination is unknown. In the fall of 2013, 44 Chinese international students (CIS) attending a university in the United States Midwest participated in 10 focus group discussions (five female and five male). Result showed that participants have limited awareness and knowledge about HPV infection and vaccination, participants erroneously believed that the causes of cervical cancer are abortion and miscarriage. Participants rely heavily on informal sources such as Chinese-based social media platforms and personal social networks for information on sexually transmitted infections. Sexual cultures and behaviors are perceived differently between CIS born in the 1990s and 1980s. Interestingly, participants' perceived stigma about HPV infection decreased with improving knowledge level during group discussions. In conclusion, HPV vaccine should be further promoted alongside sex education among CIS.

Lifestyle behavior change and repeat health risk appraisal participation: a structural equation modeling approach.

PURPOSE: Health risk appraisals (HRAs) have been used to address multiple health concerns and lifestyle behaviors. We explore the longitudinal relationship between emotional health, stage of change for five lifestyle behaviors, and lifestyle risks using HRA-generated data. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of 3 years of HRA data. SETTING: A large health care management services provider. SUBJECTS: A total of 7535 adults employed across three companies who completed consecutive HRAs over a 3-year period. MEASURES: Self-report items concerning participant health, lifestyle behaviors, disease risk factors, job/life satisfaction, safety, and biometrics. ANALYSIS: Structural equation modeling tested a hypothesized longitudinal, fully cross-lagged panel design. RESULTS: Results indicated that greater numbers of physical and behavioral risks classified as high risk were associated with greater intention to change or an actual change in lifestyle behavior in the following year. In addition, poorer emotional health was associated with a higher number of risks. CONCLUSION: Data from repeat participation in HRAs can be useful in studying multiple risk behaviors and related health measures, supporting the design and evaluation of effective, individualized, and responsive health promotion activities for working adults.

Physical activity attitudes, beliefs, and practices among adults 50 and older: baseline community assessment.

This study aligned with the National Blueprint, a coalition of national organizations to identify the principal barriers to physical activity participation in older adults and to outline strategies for increasing physical activity levels. A community coalition took the initiative to conduct a baseline assessment of health attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among community adults in order to understand the immediate needs of the adult community. Adults 50 and older (N = 309) completed surveys of health and physical activity (PA) behaviors. Individuals reported below average physical activity levels. Motives and barriers to PA differed by gender and race/ethnicity. Age and health perceptions significantly predicted PA levels. Findings support previous research with this age group, thus discussion of the utility of multi-level approaches (e.g., social ecological model) to health betterment in communities is forwarded. Providing multi-level resources (personal, social, environmental, policy) can increase opportunities for adoption and maintenance of health behaviors.