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Mahar et al. found that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic breast (female) and colorectal cancer in comparison to the general population. This editorial discusses the urgent need to develop effective strategies aimed at reducing this inequity for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a collaborative process to create an "aging prepared community" in a four county region. The process benefited from a generous grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation that supported an 18 month planning period which included input from service providers and a vast array of aging persons and their families, including particular efforts to reach underserved populations from multicultural, inner-city and rural communities. Under the umbrella of the Elder Network of the Capital Region, the process is now beginning its implementation period with foci on the following: linking health, social service and faith communities; developing accessible health education and wellness programs; creating and implementing a regional system of information and assistance; and mounting a media campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam War veterans are a sometimes overlooked subgroup of the aging baby boomer generation. Forty years after the war ended, war veterans still seek out VA or Vet Center counselors to assist with traumatic stress symptoms. However, there currently are no specific age-related protocols for treating older war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nor have established PTSD interventions incorporated gerontology content for these older trauma survivors. This pilot study juxtaposed life review within regular PTSD group counseling for 12 Vietnam veterans at a community-based Vet Center using a partial crossover design. The Life Review and Experiencing Form (LREF) structured the delivery of the life review component.T-tests and repeated measures ANOVA were used to examine depression and self-assessed wisdom outcomes using measures previously tested with older adults. Findings suggest that life review prior to PTSD group therapy has clinical benefits for reducing symptoms of depression and increasing self-assessed wisdom. The study illuminates the possible relationship of traumatic stress symptom effects on the natural reminiscing process for older veterans and provides insights into methods for more age-appropriate treatment for trauma survivors participating in Vet Center and VA programs nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study aims were to explore differences in predictors of respite care use between older (aged 65+) and younger caregivers (aged 18–64 years), and associations between caregiving load and respite care use using multivariate logistic regression analysis and unpaid caregiver (n= 10,500) data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Caregiving load comprised number of care recipients, weekly hours in caregiving, and caregiving duration. Variables with a significant association with respite care for older caregivers were female gender, income, and health insurance. For younger caregivers, respite care use associations were with ethnicity, caregiving relationship, education, and availability of substitute help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetes affects upward of 30% of South Bronx residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) reduces risk of progression to diabetes, yet implementation has been elusive within health disparities populations. Methods: This community-based, collaborative project piloted the NDPP in the South Bronx and evaluated implementation challenges and enablers. The New York State training group prepared community peer lifestyle coaches recruited by a community organization. A professional society trained academic detailers from local faculty. An interview process evaluated community needs and public health officials' beliefs. A portal managed by the New York State training group collected demographic and biometric data from the community participants and facilitated online registration. Data from interviews and observations were coded systematically using a thematic analysis framework. Results: We were successful at recruiting and training 14 lifestyle coaches and 7 academic detailers, as well as recruiting members of the health disparities population in the South Bronx into the program. Fifty-two individuals completed the first 6 months of the yearlong program, attending an average of 12.7 of 16 sessions. By week 16, weight loss averaged 7.4 lbs and many had doubled their minutes of physical activity. Local electronic referral and feedback systems were developed. Discussion: Health professionals, their teams, public health centers, and communities can work together to prevent diabetes by enhancing the reach of the NDPP to health disparities populations. Peer education using lifestyle coaches can provide a trustworthy process for crossing the boundaries between health teams and community support groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]