Aging Fast & Slow

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/

For the past three seasons, we've delved deep into the critical issue of structural racism, shedding light on its complex web of historical, political, and social factors that contribute to its persistence. Another critical aspect of this topic pertains to the resilience and fortitude cultivated within communities in the face of structural racism. Our upcoming podcast season will feature scientists, policy experts, and innovators to shed light on the importance of building personal and communal resilience as a means of empowerment and healing in the face of systemic injustices.

The complex aspects of structural racism—encompassing policies, practices, and cultural biases—make it difficult to measure, often requiring innovative methods that account for historical and contemporary disparities. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Karen Bandeen-Roche, a distinguished biostatistician who has mastered the art of quantifying the unquantifiable. Dr. Bandeen-Roche guides us through her expertise in measuring elusive variables such as frailty and how this skill could illuminate aspects of healthcare's structural racism. 

References

In the realm of addressing health disparities and fostering health equity, the intricacies of socioeconomic factors and their profound influence cannot be understated. In this podcast episode, we welcome Dr. Laura Samuel, an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, whose expertise in addressing socioeconomic disparities offers profound insights that contribute to the broader dialogue on health equity. Tune in as we explore the interplay of socioeconomic factors that shape health outcomes, and discover the transformative potential of this work in reshaping the landscape of health disparities.

References

In this podcast episode, we explore how neighborhoods and the policies that govern those communities can reveal long-standing issues of racism within our society. Our guest, Dr. Odis Johnson, Jr. from Johns Hopkins University, is an expert in multiple fields, including health policy, education, and sociology. Dr. Johnson helps us understand how these issues have led to ongoing inequalities, particularly for marginalized communities. We discuss how past discriminatory policies still impact us today and why we need significant changes in our systems. Dr. Johnson also explains how these policies affect the quality of schools in different neighborhoods and their impact on students' success. 

References