Promoting cognitive health: a formative research collaboration of the healthy aging research network.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence suggests that healthy lifestyles may help maintain cognitive health. The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network, 9 universities collaborating with their communities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is conducting a multiyear research project, begun in 2005, to understand how to translate this knowledge into public health interventions.


METHODS
This article provides an overview of the study purpose, design, methods, and processes. We examined the literature on promoting cognitive health, convened a meeting of experts in cognitive health and public health interventions, identified research questions, developed a common focus group protocol and survey, established quality control and quality assurance processes, conducted focus groups, and analyzed the resulting data.


RESULTS
We conducted 55 focus groups with 450 participants in 2005-2007, and an additional 20 focus groups and in-depth interviews in 2007-2008. Focus groups were in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese, with African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, physicians and other health practitioners, rural and urban residents, individuals caring for family or friends with cognitive impairment, and cognitively impaired individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
The data provide a wealth of opportunities for designing public health interventions to promote cognitive health in diverse populations.
Laditka
James N
JN
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. jladitka@uncc.edu
Beard
Renée L
RL
Bryant
Lucinda L
LL
Fetterman
David
D
Hunter
Rebecca
R
Ivey
Susan
S
Logsdon
Rebecca G
RG
Sharkey
Joseph R
JR
Wu
Bei
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities