Spanish Language Older Adult eHealth Learning - PROJECT SUMMARY The proposed research and training in this K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award application are intended to help the PI, Dr. Christian Vazquez Ph.D., become a prolific NIA-funded researcher that works with high-risk aging communities to improve their health by maximizing their use of eHealth and increasing eHealth literacy. The proposed work responds to NIA’s mission to improve the health of high-risk older adult populations through aging research. Candidate: The PI is a Research Investigator at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI). The PI’s research is focused on the intersection of aging and eHealth. This area is timely given the use of technology in health has become ubiquitous. Environment: BSWRI provides all the resources commonly found at Research 1-equivalent institutes to aid in the completion of the proposed studies. BSWRI also provides a rich environment for formal and informal training in career development. Research: The proposed research covers three aims. In aim 1, the PI will identify barriers to older adults with low English literacy’s eHealth learning and usage by conducting a systematic literature review on the topic of eHealth interventions with US-based low English literacy populations and a qualitative study using Photovoice method, in which participants will take photos to answer: What are the preferences of older adults with low English literacy when receiving health information communication? Older adults with low English literacy will take photos of health information they see on TV, online, in a doctor’s office, etc. to provide their perspective on what health information communication patterns may be useful in eHealth training. This work will inform aim 2, which includes enhancing an existing intervention to increase eHealth literacy for older adults with low English literacy. The adaptation will focus on factors such as religion, family, and forms of respect that are relevant to high-risk older adult low literacy populations. In aim 3, the PI will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Career Development: This award will support the PI’s career development by building on his training in health research and quantitative methods. The career development plan includes mentored training, didactic coursework, and other career development opportunities guided by three training goals: a) Acquire knowledge, skill, and experience conducting low-risk community-based qualitative research at intersection of aging and eHealth, b) Learn the process for enhancing an intervention as well as the components of intervention development for older adults, and c) Learn the process for implementing and evaluating an intervention study. Combined with a rigorous training plan, working with top experts in the fields of aging, health, implementation science, and technology-based intervention development, this proposal will generate novel data to justify a future R01 proposal to advance aging research with high-risk populations and assess the efficacy of the intervention. in the US, via consistent funding from NIA. Environment: UTA provides all the resources commonly found at Research 1 universities to aid in the completion of the proposed studies. UTA also provides a rich environment for formal and informal training in career development. Research: The proposed research covers three aims. In aim 1, the PI will identify barriers between Spanish-preferred older adults and use of eHealth by carrying out: 1a) a systematic literature review on the topic of eHealth interventions with US-based Spanish-speaking Latinos and 1b) a qualitative study using Photovoice method, in which participants will take photos to answer: What are examples of successful health information communication? Spanish-preferred older adult Latinos will take photos of health information they see on TV, online, in a doctor’s office, etc. to provide their perspective on what health information communi
