Center for Healthy Aging

Mentorship is more than guidance - it’s about fostering curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Dr. david almeida, professor at Penn State and recipient of the 2024 GSA Behavioral and Social Sciences Section Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award, shares his perspective on mentorship and aging research in a recent Gerontology News interview, published by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). ?? Read the full interview in the March 2025 issue of Gerontology News: https://lnkd.in/g4m7-jEj #CareersInAging #HealthyAging #Mentorship #Gerontology #AgingResearch?

Housing Insecurity & Health: A Conceptual Model for Aging Adults A?new narrative review, co-authored by Aarti Bhat, a T32 Pathways predoctoral fellow at the Center for Healthy Aging, and david almeida, a Center for Healthy Aging investigator, proposes a conceptual model illustrating how housing insecurity may be linked to physiological and epigenetic manifestations of health in aging adults. Factors such as government assistance, chronic discrimination or unfair treatment, and individual genetic differences and cumulative life course stressor exposure can modify the mediating pathways connecting housing insecurity to biological health outcomes. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for policy interventions, public health strategies, and research aimed at supporting aging populations at risk of housing insecurity. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBbXSZqC Penn State Social Science Research Institute #HealthyAging #HousingInsecurity #SocialDeterminants #PublicHealth #AgingResearch?

?? Exploring the Neuroscience of Risk & Decision-Making!?? ? We had an incredible turnout for the latest Center for Healthy Aging Lecture Series, where Dr. Nikki Crowley, PhD, director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute, shared fascinating insights into how the brain processes risk and shapes decision-making across different life stages. Dr. Crowley’s discussion covered:? ?? How the brain assesses risk? ?? Factors influencing our willingness to take risks? ?? The benefits of risk-taking and its necessity in certain situations? ?? How adolescent behaviors impact risk-taking in adulthood? ? The event sparked engaging discussions and thought-provoking questions from attendees!?A huge thank you to The Village at Penn State for hosting, our collaborators at Penn State Eberly College of Science for their support, and everyone who joined us for this insightful session.? ? Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences #Neuroscience #RiskTaking #DecisionMaking #LifespanDevelopment #HealthyAging #LifelongLearning #HealthyAgingLectureSeries?

?? Introducing tidypollute! Dr. Nelson Roque, faculty affiliate at the Center for Healthy Aging, developed tidypollute, an R package designed to streamline access to air pollution data, supporting research on environmental exposures and cognitive health. This tool plays a critical role in his work on the Einstein Aging Study, which explores how fine particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5) impacts brain health, neurodegeneration, and social determinants of health in aging. ?? Check it out on GitHub! https://lnkd.in/gvJZGxBb #RStats #DataScience #EnvironmentalHealth #OpenScience #EPAData?

The Center for Healthy Aging is excited to introduce a partnership for the newly formed Harrisburg Community Advisory Board. The Board consists of community residents from the greater Harrisburg area, and includes small business owners, aging professionals, religious and?community leaders in multiple domains. The overall mission of this board is to facilitate?communication exchange between?researchers?and community members, to ultimately?help inform a) how aging-related research is conducted, b)?how best to communicate about aging research and to help ensure that diverse community members are included in research, and c)?ways to strengthen?the community. Penn State faculty (from both University Park and Harrisburg)?and Center for Healthy Aging staff have already met with the Community Advisory Board twice in Harrisburg, PA, with plans to convene quarterly.? We particularly want to thank A. Patricia Aguilera Hermida, Assistant Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State Harrisburg, who has been instrumental in establishing?and leading this effort. The Board would not exist without her. We also extend our gratitude to Amy Lorek, Assistant Director for Engagement and Learning at the Center for Healthy Aging, for her leadership and support of this Board, and to Center director Marty Sliwinski for his vision that led to this initiative. #HealthyAging #CommunityEngagement #AgingResearch #PennState

?? The Science of Love: How Expressing Love Helps Us Feel More Loved New research from Dr. Zita Oravecz, associate professor at Penn State and faculty affiliate of the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging, explores how expressing love in daily life influences our well-being. Findings suggest that the more we express love, such as through small acts of kindness or spending quality time with loved ones, the more we feel loved in return. Key points:? ?? Expressing love can enhance our ability to feel love from others.? ?? Small, everyday actions, such as complimenting a stranger or helping a neighbor, can foster the same warm and caring feelings of romantic and familial love.? ?? People who express and experience love more frequently tend to have higher levels of emotional well-being.? ? Love isn’t just something we feel, it’s a habit we can cultivate through daily actions. Engaging in small, meaningful expressions of love strengthens our connections and contributes to emotional well-being. This Valentine’s Day let's celebrate love in all its forms - not just romantic love, but also the love we share with friends, family, and even strangers through kindness. ?? ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eESxeUFB #LoveAndWellbeing #EmotionalHealth #HealthyAging #SocialConnection #ValentinesDay?

Join us for the 2025 Pattishall Research Lecture, “Sleep Health Across the Life Span” with Dr. Orfeu Buxton! ?? Wednesday, February 5 at 3 p.m.? ?? Edna Bennett Pierce Living Center, 110 Henderson Building (Penn State) Dr. Buxton, the Elizabeth Fenton Susman Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State and a Center for Healthy Aging investigator, will discuss the physiology of sleep and circadian rhythms, how sleep health is embedded in everyday life, and the role of sleep as a positive behavior. As the 2024 recipient of the Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award, which recognizes a faculty member for advancing the frontiers of knowledge, Dr. Buxton investigates the causes and health consequences of chronic sleep deficiency and leads the Sleep, Health and Society Collaboratory at Penn State. The event is free and open to the public! ?? https://lnkd.in/epq4AYkh #SleepHealth #HealthyAging #PennStateResearch

?? How does job design, sedentary work, and nontraditional schedules impact long-term sleep health? A new study, led by Dr. Claire Smith (University of South Florida) in collaboration with Penn State Center for Healthy Aging investigators Soomi Lee, Orfeu Buxton, and david almeida, uncovers important findings on the link between work environments and sleep outcomes. Published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, this research used data from the national Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, analyzing over 1,000 workers across a decade to explore the connection between workplace habits and insomnia-like symptoms. Key Highlights:? ?? Sedentary workers face a 37% higher risk of insomnia-like symptoms, such as difficulty falling asleep and daytime fatigue.? ?? Employees with nontraditional work schedules, like night shifts, are 66% more likely to rely on "catch-up sleep" (e.g., naps or weekend recovery).? ?? Poor sleep habits linked to job design can persist for 10+ years, increasing the risk of health issues like cardiovascular disease and depression. How You Can Use This Information:? ?? Incorporate movement into your workday: Taking short breaks, walking around the office, or taking the stairs can help improve sleep quality.? ?? Set work boundaries: Avoid late-night tasks and unplug from screens 1–2 hours before bedtime.? ?? Advocate for healthier job design: Employers can support sleep health by rethinking work schedules and fostering environments that prioritize well-being. Promoting better sleep isn’t just about individual habits - it’s about systemic changes to create healthier workplaces. Learn more: ?? CNN: https://lnkd.in/g4EVayh6? ?? Article: https://lnkd.in/gp7vMugn #SleepHealth #WorkplaceWellness #HealthyAging

Redefining Screen Time: Is all Screen Time Equal? Ongoing research by Rinanda Rizky Amalia Shaleha, doctoral student in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, and Dr. Nelson Roque, a Center for Healthy Aging investigator, is exploring how specific digital activities impact cognitive function and mental health. Their work emphasizes that not all screen time is equal. Activities like online learning, virtual meetings, social media, and entertainment have unique effects on well-being, depending on factors like intent and engagement. Key insights from the research:? ?? Categorizing screen use: Screen time falls into four broad categories—educational, work-related, social interaction, and entertainment—each with distinct benefits and challenges.? ?? Context matters: Mood, social settings, and family environments influence how screen use affects individuals. For instance, shared screen activities can foster connection, while excessive solo use may increase isolation.? ?? Beyond duration: Intent and engagement level (e.g., creative tasks vs. passive scrolling) are critical for understanding the real impact of screen use. By moving beyond just measuring the amount of screen time, and identifying which activities are beneficial and which may be harmful, we can work toward promoting digital well-being. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gX9nwGj6 #ScreenTime #MentalHealth #CognitiveHealth

Congratulations to Dr. David Almeida! We are proud to share that Dr. david almeida, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State, has been honored with the 2024 Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). This award recognizes Dr. Almeida’s outstanding impact on the field of gerontology through his exceptional mentorship of students and junior colleagues. Dr. Almeida’s dedication to mentoring has inspired the next generation of gerontologists, shaping future leaders in aging research.? “One of my favorite hypotheses is that children shape their parents more than the other way around, and I am convinced that the same is true for students and mentors,” said Almeida, speaking of his mentees. “In mentoring you, I have learned as much, if not more, than I ever hoped to impart. Your resilience, insights and passion have inspired me in countless ways, and I will carry those lessons with me forever.” Dr. Almeida’s research focuses on how daily life experiences and stressors influence health and well-being. He leads the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), part of the larger Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project, which has contributed valuable insights to the understanding of midlife and later-life health. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Almeida’s well-deserved recognition! ??? #Mentorship #HealthyAging #Gerontology #AgingResearch #PennState #Leadership https://lnkd.in/eQyANUUY