Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & School of Medicine and Public Health
Rates of dementia and other cognitive (thinking) disorders, along with aging-related chronic conditions, are expected to significantly increase in coming years, due to ever greater numbers of older people. Rates of depression may also increase, as it is sometimes an early symptom of dementia, and because living with age-related illnesses can sometimes be an emotional …
Research has shown that poor sleep is a risk factor for developing chronic disease, and that aging often involves a decline in sleep quality and quantity. However, most sleep studies have used a single measure of sleep quality taken at a single point in time. This study instead assessed multiple indicators of sleep, and looked …
Studies have shown that smoking is associated with worse physical functioning. However, most previous research has included only older adults. It has not considered whether smoking affects people’s health at younger ages, in spite of the fact that many smokers start at an early age. This MIDUS study began with over 6000 participants aged 25-75, …
Having 2 or more chronic illnesses is known as multimorbidity, which is a way of measuring a person’s physical health without reference to any specific disease. Multimorbidity is increasingly common among older adults, as aging itself is a risk factor for developing chronic conditions. This MIDUS study is one of the first to look at …
Research increasingly shows that contact with nature can have positive effects on mental and physical health, such as increasing positive emotions, or reducing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. However, few studies have linked nature engagement to specific biological processes that might explain these health benefits. Additionally, much of the research about nature connection has been …
It is estimated that more than half of people suffering from depression will also develop an anxiety disorder sometime during their lives, and vice versa. The reason for these associations are unclear, but important to understand. People who have both depression and anxiety, instead of just one or the other, are likely to have more …
Frailty has been linked to increased risk of falling, injuries, longer hospital stays, poorer quality of life, and higher mortality. As such, it can be a major health issue for some older adults. This MIDUS study looked at whether taking multiple prescription medications is associated with being frail, and if so, whether a certain number …
In the US, it is estimated that 1 in 7 deaths are due to heart attacks, and the rate at which heart attacks are occurring has been increasing. This means that finding cost-effective interventions that reduce heart attacks could be beneficial for many people. Research has shown that positive psychological traits such as optimism and …
A great deal of research has focused on problems associated with growing up with a parent who misuses alcohol or drugs. This MIDUS study instead looked at middle aged and older adults and whether they had family members (parents, partners, or children) with substance use problems, and if so, whether it affected their own likelihood …
Do you like the neighborhood you live in? Click the link below to learn more about how your neighborhood may affect both your physical health and emotional well-being, which is the topic covered in the latest MIDUS newsletter, including: Unfortunately, people cannot always choose where they live. Income inequality and racial segregation prevents some people …