Social connection is more than a feel-good concept—it’s a cornerstone of community resilience and public health. In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, Dr. Thomas Cudjoe of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we explore how home- and community-based services—like Meals on Wheels—can enhance the well-being of older adults. Dr. Kali Thomas, Associate

Director of Health Services Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing’s Center for Equity in Aging, joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of long-term care. From in-home support to assisted living, we examine innovative policies and approaches designed to meet both the medical and non-medical needs of our aging population.

References:

Home-Delivered Meals

Join hosts Drs. Sarah Szanton and Deidra Crews for a special segment as they recap highlights from past episodes on structural resilience. From enlightening dialogues on health equity to inspiring advice from researchers, they revisit key moments and share their reflections on the insights gained. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers peak moments to savor from many perspectives. 

Social connection is vital to community well-being. It fosters support, resilience, and a shared sense of belonging that strengthens both individuals and the community as a whole. In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we explore the impact of social connection on community resilience. Dr. Thomas Cudjoe from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine shares research on how isolation affects health and community strength and strategies to foster social connection. Tune in to learn how we can build more connected, resilient communities.

REFERENCES:

In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we delve into ways to improve the quality of life of older adults needing home- and community-based services. We are joined by Dr. Kali Thomas, Associate Director of Health Services Research in the Center for Equity in Aging at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Dr. Thomas' research spans the long-term services and supports continuum, ranging from in-home services to long-term care in assisted living communities. Together we explore these critical issues and discuss innovative approaches and policies to meet the comprehensive medical and non-medical needs of our aging population.

References:

Home-Delivered Meals

Title III State Expenditures on In-Home Services

• Thomas KS. (2014) The relationship between Older Americans Act in-home services and low-care residents in nursing homes. J Aging Health. 2014 Mar;26(2):250-260. PMCID: PMC4112387.

Veteran-Directed Care / Self-Directed Care

Access to Benefits

Join us for this episode of Aging Fast & Slow as we explore the structural resilience of Indigenous Peoples amidst systemic inequities. Dr. Allison Kelliher, Associate Faculty for Indigenous Knowledge and Practice Systems at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, sheds light on pathways to positive change and health equity. With her unique background as an Alaska Native Traditional Healer and Integrative Physician, Dr. Kelliher offers invaluable insights into promoting resilience and well-being among Indigenous communities.

References

United Nations Economic and Social Council. Indigenous determinants of health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. April 2023.

Kelliher, A et al. Indigenous determinants of health: a unified call for progress. The Lancet. June 21, 2023.

Kelliher, A et al. Status of Maternal Cardiovascular Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Individuals: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. June 2023.

Policies are pivotal for shaping the structural resilience of communities, influencing their ability to navigate and overcome adversity. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Director of The Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, to explore how policies, social determinants of health, and structural resilience intersect to shape community well-being and examine how policy frameworks can either bolster or hinder a community's ability to overcome adversity. 

References

Ongoing research is shedding light on the complex dimensions of structural resilience. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kamila Alexander, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Dr. Alexander's research focuses on understanding how socio-structural factors impact health outcomes of marginalized youth, particularly regarding trauma, violence, and sexual, mental, and reproductive health. She shares insights from her work on how communities can overcome challenges, utilize resources, and promote sustainable development despite facing adversity.

References

This episode delves into the powerful connection between resilience and civic engagement that enables underserved communities to not just withstand systemic challenges but to emerge stronger. Our guest for this conversation is Dr. Hahrie Han, the Director of the SNF Agora Institute and a Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Han explores how grassroots organizations transform community engagement into political influence. Join us as we explore the juncture of societal structures, grassroots movements, and the enduring resilience of communities striving for a more equitable future.

References

Grandmothers, coaches, school nurses, barbers — what are the roles of non-traditional community leaders like these and what critical roles can they play in engaging historically divested communities and isolated individuals? How can art, imagination, and collective action model best practices for more equitable structures? We are joined by Marisa Morán Jahn, an artist whose work with low-wage workers, new immigrant families, and public housing residents has been described by the Chicago Tribune as exploring “civic spaces and the radical art of play.” She is Director of Integrated Design at Parsons/The New School and a Senior Researcher at MIT. We are also joined by Micah Campbell-Smith, a community developer who launched Black Pittsburgh Matters and has designed policies and trainings with New York’s Community Preservation Corporation and Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority.

RESOURCES:

• https://www.marisajahn.com/