Untitled Document

Research

Stephanie A. Robert

Ph.D., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Associate Professor, School of Social Work
sarobert@wisc.edu
http://socwork.wisc.edu/new_web/?q=node/105

Socioeconomic Status, Neighborhood Context, and Health Over the Life Course; Effectiveness of Health and Long-term Care Policies and Programs for the Elderly

My gerontological research emphasizes two key aspects of health and aging. Much of my current research examines how social and economic factors affect health over the life course. I am particularly interested in how characteristics of people�s neighborhoods affect their health. I am also interested in evaluating how well various health and long-term care policies and programs meet the needs of older adults, and how they might be improved in the future.

The goal of my research on social and economic determinants of health is to examine how people�s social and economic characteristics affect their health, and how social and economic policies might promote and preserve health as people age. Some of my research has found that the neighborhood context of older adults contributes to their health and well-being. Living in poorer neighborhoods is related to poor health, and this is particularly true among older adults. If we can better understand how neighborhood context contributes to health, we may have clues about what types of interventions or policies might best reduce inequalities in health and maintain and improve people's health and well being as they age.

Some of my research examines racial differences in health among older adults. My colleagues and I examine how neighborhood racial segregation affects health and well being over the life course. I examine the extent to which living in racially segregated neighborhoods, low income neighborhoods, or neighborhoods with a high degree of income inequality is associated with poor health and well being.

I am also interested in how well long-term care programs and policies meet the needs of individuals with long-term care needs and their families. In particular, I have examined how well "Family Care," Wisconsin's new long-term care redesign pilot program, is working to meet the long-term care needs of Wisconsin residents.

Representative Publications
Robert, S.A., Cherepanov, D., Palta, M., Dunham, N. C., Feeny, D., & Fryback, D.G. (2009). Socioeconomic status and age variations in health-related quality of life: Results from the National Health Measurement Study. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 64B(3), 378-389.

Yao, L., & Robert, S.A. (2008). The contributions of race, individual socioeconomic status, and neighborhood socioeconomic context in the self-rated health trajectories and mortality of older adults. Research on Aging, 30, 251-273.

Weden, M., Carpiano, R., & Robert, S.A. (2008). Subjective and objective neighborhood characteristics and adult health. Social Science and Medicine, 66(6), 1256-1270.

Robert, S.A., & Ruel, E. (2006). Racial segregation and health disparities between black and white older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 61B(4), S203-211.

Robert, S.A., & Carpiano, R. (2005). Our four cents: Future priority directions of research on neighborhoods, social capital, health, and aging. Commissioned by the NIA to prepare for their new initiative in this area.

Robert, S.A., & Reither, E.N. (2004). A multilevel analysis of race, community disadvantage, and BMI. Social Science & Medicine, 59(12), 2421-2434.

Robert, S.A. (2003). Home and community-based long-term care policies and programs: The crucial role for social work practitioners and researchers in evaluation. In B. Berkman & L. Harootyan (Eds.), Social work and health care in an aging world: informing education, policy, practice, and research. New York: Springer Publications.

Robert, S. A. (2002). Community context and aging: Future research issues. Research on Aging, 24(6), 579-599.

Robert, S.A., & Li, L. (2001). Age variation in the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic context and adult health. Research on Aging, 23(2), 234-258.

Robert, S.A., & House, J.S. (2000). Socioeconomic inequalities in health: Integrating individual-, community-, and societal-level theory and research. In G.L. Albrecht, R. Fitzpatrick, & S.C. Scrimshaw (Eds.), Handbook of social studies in health and medicine. London: Sage Publications.

Robert, S.A. (1999). Socioeconomic position and health: The independent contribution of community context. Annual Review of Sociology, 25, 489-516.

Robert, S.A. (1998). Community-level socioeconomic status effects on adult health. J. of Health and Social Behavior, 39, 18-37.

Robert, S.A., & Norgard, T. (1996). Long-term care policy based on ADL eligibility criteria: Impact on community dwelling elders not meeting the criteria. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 25(3/4), 71-91.

Robert, S.A., & House, J.S. (1996). SES differentials in health by age and alternative indicators of SES. Journal of Aging and Health, 8(3), 359-388.

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