Past Pilot Projects

Gender and Social Relations Across the Life Course in a Middle Eastern Cultural Context (Antonucci)
This study explores gender and social relations across the life course in the Middle Eastern context. The long-term goal is an R21 proposal to study social disparities in health in the U.S., Japan and Lebanon.

Impact of HIV/AIDS on Active Life Expectancy in High Poverty Areas in the United States (Geronimus)
Project uses vital statistics and U.S. Census data to explore whether and to what extent AIDS mortality increased in high-poverty areas in the U.S. between 1990 and 2000.

Weathering and Telomeres: A Novel Approach to the Study of Racial Disparities in Health (Geronimus)
Project to analyze data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) – i.e., DNA specimens and supporting survey data – for evidence of racial disparities in aging at the cellular level.

Historical Cause of Death Archive (Gutmann)
This project addresses establishing a publicly available archive of historical data on causes of death among the elderly.

Mechanisms for Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Self-Management and Outcomes (Heisler)
Uses HRS data to identify population groups in greatest need of assistance with glycemic control and consider possible interventions.

Utilizing Aggregate Mortality, Morbidity, and Health Infrastructural Data as an Adjunct to Survey Analyses of Disability (Hermalin)
Research Focuses on Taiwan, but also explores implications for analyses of data for US and several other projects

The Impact of AIDS, Poverty, and Social Upheaval on the Elderly: The Case of Cambodia (Knodel)
This project uses data from a survey of elderly Cambodians to analyze the impact of the illness and death of adult children, and to assess their awareness and knowledge of issues related to AIDS

Analysis of Survey Data Related to AIDS and the Elderly in Vietnam (Knodel)
Analysis to shed light on extend to which older Vietnamese and their spouses may be at risk for HIV through sexual transmission. The data come from two regional Vietnam Surveys of Family Change.

New Data on the Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Elderly in South Africa (Lam)
This project expands analysis of the 2006 Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS) into areas related to HIV/AIDS and the elderly.

Employer Provision of Retiree Health Insurance (Levy)
This project consists of a literature review and preliminary analysis of large survey data sets to explore changes in employer provision of health insurance to early retirees.

HIV Testing and Care Among the Elderly (60+) in South Africa and Botswana (Snow)
This project has two separate components, with distinct budgets, that explore various factors associated with AIDS testing in Africa.

Access to HIV Testing and Treatment by Age and Sex in South Africa (Snow)
This project analyzes health department data on HIV testing and treatment to explore the age, sex, and referral status of those accessing care, preliminary to a larger study on gender, age, and HIV/AIDS care in South Africa.

Subjective Life-Expectancy, Beliefs about HIV Transmission, and Long-term Planning (Thornton)
This is a project in Malawi to develop measures of subjective life expectancy comparable to those in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and to study how randomized information about HIV transmission probabilities affects subjective life expectancy and subsequent savings and investment behavior.

Measuring Developmental Idealism and Family Life in the Aging and Elderly Population in the United States (Thornton)
This project, an extension of Thornton's previous research on family life, proposes to test survey questions and protocols for measuring knowledge and belief in developmental idealism and the relationship of those beliefs to several aspects of contemporary family life, including filial expectations and desire for independent living in the U.S. aging and elderly adult population.

Activities in Mid- and Late-Life: A New Lens on Disability (Verbrugge)
This project analyzes data from HRS CAMS (Consumption and Activities Mail Survey) data for 2001, 2003, and 2005 to understand the process of accommodating to disability over time.

Measuring the Effect of Aging on Perceptions and Behavior (Willis)
This project is intended to develop new methods for collecting and analyzing data on the information and perceptions of older Americans on health care policies and products, and methods for measuring their resulting behavior and well-being. Awarded as a supplement to the Michigan P30 award, it has two components conducted largely at other institutions.

The Impact of Depression and Cognitive Impairment on Enrollment in Medicare Part D (Zivin)
This project analyzes HRS data for planned and actual enrollment in Medicare D by potential beneficiaries, including those with cognitive and/or emotional impairments. Findings will help identify barriers that vulnerable older persons face in accessing prescription drug coverage.