Measuring Sex and Gender in Aging and Alzheimer’s Research: Results of a National Survey

Objective Differences between men and women are common in published research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). What do these differences mean? To answer this, rigorous measurement is needed. We investigated current methods for measuring sex/gender in aging and AD/ADRD cohort studies. Method An online survey was sent to NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) (n=38) and investigator-initiated cohort studies (n=38) to assess practices around enrollment of men and women and measurement of sex and gender. Results The response rate was 65.8% (n=50). All enrolled men and all but two investigator-initiated studies enrolled women. Most cohorts (43/50) had no documented definitions for categories of “men” or “women”. Over 85% of cohorts relied solely on self-report questions to capture sex/gender data (n=43/50). Issues with administration were also identified (n=7). Discussion Our findings identify gaps in current approaches used to measure sex and gender in aging and AD/ADRD research. We discuss opportunities to bridge these gaps and advance measurement of sex and gender in aging and AD/ADRD research. Changes are needed to ensure inclusion and representation of sociocultural diversity in research samples, and consistency in data collection in aging and AD/ADRD research.

Patterns Among Same-Sex Spousal Couples: Diverse Sociocultural Representation in Alzheimer’s Research

Emerging evidence shows that understanding characteristic patterns between study partners (SP) and subjects can inform initiatives to diversify representation of sociocultural groups in ADRD research. This study examined same-sex spousal dyads with the goal of identifying bellwethers of opportunities to build diversity in ADRD research. Descriptive analysis of The Aging, Demographics and Memory Study (ADAMS), which enrolled a subset of subjects from the Health and Retirement Study and a SP for each subject. Eight same-sex spousal couples were among 718 SP-subject dyads (1.1%). Gay men were 3 times as likely to be spousal SPs (n=6) than lesbians (n=2), even though women far outnumber men overall. Patterns in caregiving and other characteristics also differed. Same-sex couples are underrepresented in ADRD research. Patterns among those enrolled suggest masculine and feminine norms may drive research engagement. This is discussed in the context of increasing sociocultural diversity in ADRD research across key social groups.

Crime Diversity: Sociocultural Aspects of Femicide in Hong Kong

Despite Hong Kong’s ranking as having one of the lowest homicide rates worldwide, it has one of the highest female homicide rates globally. This research catered to the need for a systematic empirical analysis of the femicide phenomenon in Hong Kong by examining census data of femicide cases that occurred in Hong Kong in 5 years: from January 2015 to December 2019. Thirty-eight cases were examined and coded, covering 17 variables relating to victims, perpetrators, and modus operandi. Despite the small number of cases, this article highlights femicide’s sociocultural diversity by discussing its unique patterns in Hong Kong, with a high share of femicide-suicide cases and overrepresentation of foreigners and women older than 60. The article concludes with recommended policy strategy reformulations needed to better combat femicide in Hong Kong.

Household Cooking and Eating out: Food Practices and Perceptions of Salt/Sodium Consumption in Costa Rica

This research aims to study the food practices and perceptions related to excessive consumption of salt/sodium when cooking and eating outside the home in a study population representing the wide intergenerational and sociocultural diversity of Costa Rica. Key communities from around the country, cultural experts, and key informants were selected. Four qualitative research techniques were applied. Data was systematized based on the Social Ecological Model. Women are generally in charge of cooking and family food purchases. Salt is perceived as a basic ingredient, used in small amounts that can be reduced—but not eliminated—when cooking. Changes in food preparations and emotions associated with the consumption of homemade food with salt were identified. The population likes to eat out, where the establishments selected depend mainly on age group and income. Beyond cultural and geographical differences, age aspects are suggested as being the main differentiators, in terms of use of salt, seasonings, and condiments in the preparation of food at home, the recipes prepared, and the selection of establishments in which to eat out. The deeply rooted values and meanings associated with salt in food indicate that the implementation of salt reduction strategies in Costa Rica is challenging.

SEXUALITY AND DIVERSITY: ANALYSIS OF DISCURSIVE USES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY, JUJUY-ARGENTINA

The article is based on an analysis carried out on the advances made in the Argentine State in terms of rights, with regard to Integral Sexual Education and the LGTBIM and women's movements. However, and based on this recognition, in terms of policy development in the educational field, questions that guide this document are raised, with the aim of contributing, not only to a discussion related to the educational and social processes through which sexuality passes, but also the historicity of gender relations and the ways in which sexual differences are symbolized. Directing the look on discursive uses as devices of power and subordination. For this, the document invites us to think about diversity from a context, characterized by a large presence of an ethnic population, with deeply rooted cultural traditions. On these bases, problematize the homogenizing social trend, which tries to impregnate this culture in corporeality and symbolism, calling into question social groups and, in particular, the nature of this diversity. Then, there is an outcome on Integral Sexual Education in the province of Jujuy-Argentina and the discursive uses that were included in the pedagogical processes. On the other hand, it refers to policies built under the aegis of diversity rights and, in particular, sexual diversity. Finally, to establish that the discussion undertaken here stems from the concern of members of two research teams, the Sociocultural Diversity in Regional Contexts Research Unit (UNIDISO, FHyCS-UNJu, Jujuy-Argentina) and the Center for Studies and Research on Teaching and Nursing Practice (NUPEPE, EE-UFMG, Belo Horizonte-Brazil), whose area of ​​development in the field of research is linked to Public Health, in this context, Integral Sexual Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

A Scoping Review of Innovative Housing for Older Adults: Focus on Homesharing, Cohousing, NORC-SSPs, and Villages

This scoping review explores the benefits, and challenges of major innovative housing and service models for older adults. Several countries are prioritizing housing and service innovation for older adults to address the limitations of traditional market housing in meeting their housing needs and challenges. This study contributes to this issue by reviewing peer-reviewed and grey literature on four well-established innovative housing and service models: cohousing, homesharing, Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Services Programs (NORC-SSPs), and Villages. Based on the findings synthesized from 65 sources, a pair-wise comparison of (i) cohousing and homesharing; and (ii) NORC-SSPs and Villages was conducted on the basis of: (a) financial aspects (e.g., affordability); and (b) psychosocial aspects (e.g., social interaction and engagement, intergenerationality, autonomy and interdependence, safety, diversity and inclusivity); and (c) long-term sustainability. While there were several financial and psychosocial benefits related to each model, the following challenges were identified that need to be addressed to further improve the relevance and effectiveness of these models: (i) lack of funding and resources to support NORC-SSPs and Villages; (ii) inter-resident conflict in homesharing and cohousing; (iii) limitations of informal support provided by fellow-residents in meeting the needs of older adults with complex needs in all four models; and (iv) lack of inclusivity and sociocultural diversity in cohousing and Villages. By integrating research on older adults’ housing needs and innovative solutions, the findings of this study could guide future housing initiatives that seek to adopt these innovative models by highlighting their strengths, while recognizing areas for improvement.

Are Information Technologies So Dangerous for Written Culture?

One of the factors that determines the current lifestyle is technology, which persistently draws the world into competition for new means and practices. As the subject of these processes, our contemporary not only takes an active part in them, but also reflexes a lot about his/her own impact. Although technology is ambivalent and multivector in its development, the humanitarian role of protecting the history of human experience, as well as creating the updated versions of cultural practices is not alien to it. Inspired by the broad interpretation of the writing practices proposed by J. Derrida, the author of the article shows how important it is for the understanding of technology not to be overloaded with alarmism. Information technologies have a democratizing effect on social life by offering new tools and formats for the writing. In particular, they support on a personal level the freedom of self-realization, while on a public scale — sociocultural diversity and interaction.

Addressing diversity in science communication through citizen social science

This article seeks to address the lack of sociocultural diversity in the field of science communication by broadening conceptions of citizen science to include citizen social science. Developing citizen social science as a concept and set of practices can increase the diversity of publics who engage in science communication endeavors if citizen social science explicitly aims at addressing social justice issues. First, I situate citizen social science within the histories of citizen science and participatory action research to demonstrate how the three approaches are compatible. Next, I outline the tenets of citizen social science as they are informed by citizen science and participatory action research goals. I then use these tenets as criteria to evaluate the extent to which my case study, a community-based research project called ‘Rustbelt Theater’, counts as a citizen social science project.