Virginia W Chang

Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Professional overview

Virginia W. Chang, MD, PhD is Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU School of Global Public Health, Associate Professor of Population Health at NYU School of Medicine, and Affiliated Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at NYU. Dr. Chang is a graduate of the Inteflex Program at the University of Michigan, where she received her BS and MD degrees.  She then completed a residency in internal medicine, fellowship training with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, and a PhD in sociology, all at the University of Chicago. Prior to joining NYU, Dr. Chang was in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a staff physician at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center.

As a physician and sociologist, Dr. Chang integrates perspectives from medicine, epidemiology, sociology, and demography in her research. Much of her work has focused on obesity and health disparities, engaging topics such as the influence of socially structured context (e.g., racial segregation, income inequality, neighborhood social/physical disorder) on obesity; the relationship of obesity to mortality and disability; the influence of weight status on the quality of medical care; socioeconomic disparities in health and mortality; and the inter-relationships between health, medical technologies, and stratification.

Her research program has been funded by the NICHD, NHLBI, and NIA of the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Health Administration, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Measy Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, and the Russell Sage Foundation.  She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Society of General Internal Medicine Award for Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year and the Marjorie A. Bowman Award from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine for achievement in the health evaluation sciences. Dr. Chang is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Chang’s publications span a variety of disciplines, including journals such as JAMA, Annals of Internal Medicine, JAMA Internal Medicine, Health Affairs, American Journal of Public Health, American Journal of Epidemiology, Journal of Health & Social Behavior, Social Science & Medicine, Demography, and Social Forces.  She was recently an Associate Editor of the Journal of Health & Social Behavior.

Education

BS, Biomedical Sciences and Philosophy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

MD, Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

MA, Sociology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

PhD, Sociology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

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Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Resident, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Intern, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

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Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine

Licensed Medical Physician, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Honors and awards

Majorie A. Bowman Research Award, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2010)

Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year, Society of General Internal Medicine (2008)

Robert Austrian Faculty Award for Health Evaluation Reserach, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2008)

Physician Faculty Scholars Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2007)

Finalist, Hamolsky Junior Facutly Award, Society of General Internal Medicine (2004)

Finalist, Richard Saller Prize for Best Dissertation in the Division of the Social Sciences, University of Chicago (2003)

Graduate University Fellowship, University of Chicago (2001)

Eli G. Rochelson Memorial Award for Excellence in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School (1994)

Biomedical Research Program Scholarship, University of Michigan Medical School (1991)

James B. Angell Scholar, University of Michigan (1988)

William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize, University of Michigan (1986)

Areas of research and study

Global Health

Health Disparities

Internal Medicine

Obesity

Population Health

Social Behaviors

Publications

Publications

Discrimination exposure and lymphocyte differentiation: Results from the health and retirement study

Chang, V. W., Kranz, E. O., Bather, J. R., Zhang, X., Chang, V. W., Cole, S. W., & Cuevas, A. G. (n.d.).

Publication year

2026

Journal title

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health

Volume

52

Page(s)

101170

Abstract

Abstract

Everyday discrimination is a social determinant of health linked to disease and mortality, with one potential mechanism of this link involving stress-related signaling that "weathers" immune health. Previous research has examined links between discrimination and inflammatory processes derived from innate immune cells, but little is known about the associations of everyday discrimination with lymphoid lineage cells (T cells and B cells) that mediate adaptive immunity. To better understand the potential immunological impact of everyday discrimination, we analyzed the relationship between Everyday Discrimination Scale scores and flow cytometry data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 6337; mean age = 70 years, SD = 9 years; 58 % female; 71 % White). Primary analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors and secondary analyses additionally controlled for health behaviors. Weighted results showed that higher levels of discrimination were significantly associated with higher total CD4 T, CD8 T, and B cell counts. Follow-up analyses of T and B cell maturity indicated a potential link between higher discrimination levels and mature "terminally differentiated" cells, including CD4 TEMRA (7.8 % elevation, 95 % CI: 3.8 %-12.0 % elevation,  

Anti-vaccine attitudes and COVID-19 vaccine status at the end of the U.S. public health emergency

Choi, J., Feelemyer, J., Choe, K., Lynch, K., McKnight, C. A., Yang, L., Jarlais, D. D., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Vaccine

Volume

55

10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127003

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2023, COVID-19 prevention remains a priority. This study investigates how public vaccination attitudes and perceived COVID-19 risks relate to vaccination status, aiming to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination post-emergency. Methods: An online survey was conducted from April to May 2023 among a non-representative, nationally-based sample of MTurk workers. The primary outcome was COVID-19 vaccination status. Variables examined included anti-vaccine attitudes, health status, COVID-19 experiences, and sociodemographic factors. We created a composite measure of anti-vaccine attitudes from 15 items with three levels. Bivariate tests of association and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results: A final sample of 989 adults were included in this analysis. In our multivariable model, individuals with higher anti-vaccine attitudes were less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to those with low anti-vaccine attitudes (OR = 0.10, 95 % CI 0.04, 0.25). Those who identified as LGBQ+ (OR = 2.55, 95 % CI 1.32, 4.94), had chronic conditions (OR = 2.94, 95 % CI 1.43, 6.01) and had felt stigmatized from COVID-19 infections (OR = 3.33, 95 % CI 1.47, 7.58) were more likely to be vaccinated, even after adjusting for anti-vaccine attitudes. News source, perceived risk of contagion by contact, and long COVID-related factors were not significantly associated with vaccination status in the multivariable model. Discussion: Our findings highlight the persistent relationship between anti-vaccine attitudes and vaccination status in the “post-pandemic” era. Beyond vaccine attitudes, sexual orientation, chronic conditions, and stigmatization experiences may influence perceived need for protection. Stigma can sometimes reinforce social norms driving vaccination, but this effect is nuanced, particularly with anti-vaccine attitudes. To promote vaccine uptake, interventions should prioritize community support, counter misinformation, and enhance vaccine literacy. Building trust among vulnerable populations is essential, rather than relying on public health messaging that may reinforce social stigma.

Association of Early Life Risk Factors and APOE ε4 With Incident Dementia: Evidence From 14 Years of U.S. Data

Chang, V. W., Choi, E. Y. Y., Cho, G., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Volume

73

Issue

11

Page(s)

3406-3415

Abstract

Abstract

Early life is a critical period for brain development, laying the foundation for cognitive reserve. However, it remains unclear how various aspects of early life independently contribute to dementia risk, and whether these associations are modified by APOE ε4 genotype.

Interventions to improve racial and ethnic equity in critical care: A scoping review

Chang, V. W., Ge, S., Lappen, H., Mercado, L., Lamarche, K., Iwashyna, T. J., Hough, C. L., Chang, V. W., Cuevas, A., Valley, T. S., & Armstrong-Hough, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

PloS one

Volume

20

Issue

11

Page(s)

e0336922

Abstract

Abstract

Racial and ethnic disparities in the delivery and outcomes of critical care are well documented. However, interventions to mitigate these disparities are less well understood. We sought to review the current state of evidence for interventions to promote equity in critical care processes and patient outcomes.

Measurement invariance of the perceived discrimination scale across race/ethnicity and sex: Findings from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study

Chang, V. W., Xu, S., Widaman, K. F., Patippe, C., Cui, L., Shi, X., Krobath, D. M., Cuevas, A., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

SSM. Mental health

Volume

8

Abstract

Abstract

Perceived racial discrimination during childhood and adolescence is a critical social determinant of health disparities. However, few scales measure perceived racial discrimination in these age groups, and even fewer are validated with robust psychometric properties or demonstrate measurement invariance across racial and ethnic or sex groups.

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders : Disparities in the Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions

Cabrera, J. D., Cuevas, A. G., Xu, V. S., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

American Journal of Health Promotion

10.1177/08901171251330397

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose: To examine multimorbidity prevalence by race/ethnicity and unique health disparities for Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHPI). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: This study uses combined data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 2014 NHPI-NHIS. Sample: 38,965 adults, including a representative sample of 2,026 NHPIs. Measures: Self-reported diagnoses of ten chronic conditions and race/ethnicity, including Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites, NH Blacks, NH Asians, NH NHPIs, Hispanics and NH Mixed Race. Covariates include age, sex, marital status, education, family income, and employment status. Analysis: We used multinomial logistic regression models to evaluate the adjusted association between race/ethnicity and number of chronic conditions: none, 1, and ≥ 2 (multimorbidity). Results: Compared to Whites, Asians and Hispanics (aRRR = 0.39, P

The aging immune system and all-cause mortality in older americans: differences across sex and race/ethnicity

Chang, V. W., Duchowny, K. A., Zhang, Y. S., Stebbins, R. C., Ma, X., Chin, J. J. Y., Chang, V. W., Aiello, A. E., & Noppert, G. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Immunity & ageing : I & A

Volume

22

Issue

1

Page(s)

25

Abstract

Abstract

As individuals age, the immune system undergoes complex changes, including an increase in the number of CD8 T cells relative to CD4 T cells, a decline in naïve cell production (including T and B cells), and an accumulation of terminally differentiated cells with diminished functionality. These age-related immune alterations collectively contribute to immunosenescence, a phenotype associated with aging-related declines and diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Premature mortality at older ages often results from cumulative health deterioration initiated by physiological dysregulation over the life course. Mortality risk, therefore, provides a meaningful measure of the long-term impact of physiological changes, including those related to the immune system. Examining the link between mortality risk and immune aging in older adults could illuminate the underlying pathology of aging-related health decline. This study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national, population-based sample of middle-aged and older Americans, to explore the relationship between specific immune aging ratios and six-year mortality, stratified by race/ethnicity and sex.

Who Works Non-Day Shits? : An Investiation of Populaion and Within-Cohort Trends

Cho, G., Chodosh, J., Hill, J., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

10.1097/JOM.0000000000003394

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives We examined trends in the socioeconomic distribution of work schedules from 1990s to 2010s and how early adulthood disadvantages are associated work schedules over working age. Methods In a representative sample of U.S. workers(N = 3,328), we calculated recycled predictions of day, evening, night, and long shift prevalence associated with time-period. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of non-day shifts with age and its variations by early adulthood disadvantage in U.S. baby boomers(N = 10,293). Results Between 1990s-2010s, evening shifts increased in adults without college education and night shifts increased in the lowest income quartile. Day shifts decreased in both groups. Being Black, not attending college, and poverty were associated with non-day shiftwork throughout working age. Conclusions Evening and night shifts may have replaced day shifts in disadvantaged populations between 1990s-2010s. Early disadvantages may have sustained effects on work schedules.

Multi-discrimination exposure and biological aging : Results from the midlife in the United States study

Cuevas, A. G., Cole, S. W., Belsky, D. W., McSorley, A. M., Shon, J. M., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Health

10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100774

Abstract

Abstract

Discrimination is a social determinant of health and health disparities for which the biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the hypothesis that discrimination contributes to poor health outcomes by accelerating biological processes of aging. We analyzed survey and blood DNA methylation data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (N = 1967). We used linear regression analysis to test associations of everyday, major, and workplace discrimination with biological aging measured by the DunedinPACE, PhenoAge, and GrimAge2 epigenetic clocks. MIDUS participants who reported more discrimination tended to exhibit a faster pace of aging and older biological age as compared to peers who reported less discrimination. Effect-sizes for associations tended to be larger for the DunedinPACE pace-of-aging clock (effect-size range r = 0.1–0.2) as compared with the PhenoAge and GrimAge2 biological-age clocks (effect-sizes r < 0.1) and for experiences of everyday and major discrimination as compared with workplace discrimination. Smoking status and body-mass index accounted for roughly half of observed association between discrimination and biological aging. Reports of discrimination were more strongly associated with accelerated biological aging among White as compared with Black participants, although Black participants reported more discrimination overall and tended to exhibit older biological age and faster biological aging. Findings support the hypothesis that experiences of interpersonal discrimination contribute to accelerated biological aging and suggest that structural and individual-level interventions to reduce discrimination and promote adaptive coping have potential to support healthy aging and build health equity.

Neighborhood Social Environment and Dementia:The Mediating Role of Social Isolation

Choi, E. Y., Cho, G., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

Volume

79

Issue

4

10.1093/geronb/gbad199

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the potential importance of the neighborhood social environment for cognitive health, the connection between neighborhood characteristics and dementia remains unclear. This study investigated the association between the prospective risk of dementia and three distinct aspects of neighborhood social environment: socioeconomic deprivation, disorder, and social cohesion. We also examined whether objective and subjective aspects of individual-level social isolation may function as mediators. Methods: Leveraging data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006–2018; N = 9,251), we used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between time-to-dementia incidence and each neighborhood characteristic, adjusting for covariates and the propensity to self-select into disadvantaged neighborhoods. We used inverse odds weighting to decompose significant total effects of neighborhood characteristics into mediational effects of objective and subjective social isolation. Results: The risk of dementia was associated with deprivation and disorder but not low cohesion. In deprived neighborhoods, individuals had an 18% increased risk of developing dementia (cause-specific hazard ratio [CHR] = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.38), and those in disordered areas had a 27% higher risk (CHR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.59). 20% of the disorder’s effects were mediated by subjective social isolation, while the mediational effects of objective isolation were nonsignificant. Deprivation’s total effects were not partitioned into mediational effects given its nonsignificant associations with the mediators. Discussion: Neighborhood deprivation and disorder may increase middle to older adults’ risks of dementia. The disorder may adversely affect cognitive health through increasing loneliness. Our results suggest a clear need for dementia prevention targeting upstream neighborhood contexts, including the improvement of neighborhood conditions to foster social integration among residents.

Number of children and risk of dementia : a cohort study

Wolfova, K., Hubbard, R. A., Brennan Kearns, P., Chang, V. W., Crane, P., Lacroix, A. Z., Larson, E. B., & Tom, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

10.1136/jech-2024-222717

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Findings on the link between the number of children and dementia risk are inconsistent, mostly studied in females, suggesting pregnancy-related changes may be a key factor in this association. Methods: The Adult Changes in Thought Study is a cohort of adults aged ≥65 years from Kaiser Permanente Washington. The primary exposure was the number of children (0, 1, 2, 3 or ≥4), and the outcome was an incident dementia diagnosis. Cox proportional-hazards models were adjusted for demographic and early-life socioeconomic confounders. Models were then stratified by sex and by birth year

Association between racial residential segregation and walkability in 745 U.S. cities

Spoer, B. R., Conderino, S. E., Lampe, T. M., Ofrane, R. H., De Leon, E., Thorpe, L. E., Chang, V. W., & Elbel, B. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Health and Place

Volume

84

10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103114

Abstract

Abstract

Despite higher chronic disease prevalence, minoritized populations live in highly walkable neighborhoods in US cities more frequently than non-minoritized populations. We investigated whether city-level racial residential segregation (RRS) was associated with city-level walkability, stratified by population density, possibly explaining this counterintuitive association. RRS for Black-White and Latino-White segregation in large US cities was calculated using the Index of Dissimilarity (ID), and walkability was measured using WalkScore. Median walkability increased across increasing quartiles of population density, as expected. Higher ID was associated with higher walkability; associations varied in strength across strata of population density. RRS undergirds the observed association between walkability and minoritized populations, especially in higher population density cities.

COVID-19 stigmatization after the development of effective vaccines: Vaccination behavior, attitudes, and news sources

Chang, V. W., Des Jarlais, D. C., Lieff, S., Grivel, M., Meltzer, G., Choi, J., Weng, C. A., Feelemyer, J. P., Chang, V. W., & Yang, L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

PloS one

Volume

18

Issue

4

Page(s)

e0283467

Abstract

Abstract

To compare COVID-19 stigmatization at two pandemic time points (1) August 2020-during lockdowns and prior to vaccine rollout, and (2) May 2021-during vaccine rollout, when approximately half of U.S. adults were vaccinated.

Cumulative exposure to extreme heat and trajectories of cognitive decline among older adults in the USA

Choi, E. Y., Lee, H., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

Volume

77

Issue

11

Page(s)

728-735

10.1136/jech-2023-220675

Abstract

Abstract

Background The projected increase in extreme heat days is a growing public health concern. While exposure to extreme heat has been shown to negatively affect mortality and physical health, very little is known about its long-term consequences for late-life cognitive function. We examined whether extreme heat exposure is associated with cognitive decline among older adults and whether this association differs by race/ethnicity and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Methods Data were drawn from seven waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2018) merged with historical temperature data. We used growth curve models to assess the role of extreme heat exposure on trajectories of cognitive function among US adults aged 52 years and older. Results We found that high exposure to extreme heat was associated with faster cognitive decline for blacks and residents of poor neighbourhoods, but not for whites, Hispanics or residents of wealthier neighbourhoods. Conclusion Extreme heat exposure can disproportionately undermine cognitive health in later life for socially vulnerable populations. Our findings underscore the need for policy actions to identify and support high-risk communities for increasingly warming temperatures.

Ethnic Enclaves, Mental Health and Cardiometabolic Risk in Asian Americans

Choi, E. Y., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Abstract

Abstract

~

Extreme Heat and Cognitive Decline among Older Adults: An Unequal Burden Across Groups and Communities

Choi, E. Y., Lee, H., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Abstract

Abstract

~

Health Insurance and Mental Health Treatment Use Among Adults With Criminal Legal Involvement After Medicaid Expansion

Howell, B. A., Hawks, L. C., Balasuriya, L., Chang, V. W., Wang, E. A., & Winkelman, T. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Hospital and Community Psychiatry

Volume

74

Issue

10

Page(s)

1019-1026

10.1176/appi.ps.20220171

Abstract

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with criminal legal involvement have high rates of substance use and other mental disorders. Before implementation of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion, they also had low health insurance coverage. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of Medicaid expansion on health insurance coverage and use of treatment for substance use or other mental disorders in this population. METHODS: The authors used restricted data (2010-2017) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Using a difference-in-differences approach, the authors estimated the impact of Medicaid expansion on health insurance coverage and treatment for substance use or other mental disorders among individuals with recent criminal legal involvement. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 9,910 NSDUH respondents who were ages 18-64 years, had a household income ≤138% of the federal poverty level, and reported past-year criminal legal involvement. Medicaid expansion was associated with an 18 percentage-point increase in insurance coverage but no change in receipt of substance use treatment among individuals with substance use disorder. Individuals with any other mental illness had a 16 percentage-point increase in insurance coverage but no change in receipt of mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a large increase in health insurance coverage among individuals with criminal legal involvement and substance use or other mental disorders, Medicaid expansion was not associated with a significant change in treatment use for these conditions. Insurance access alone appears to be insufficient to increase treatment for substance use or other mental disorders in this population.

Internet usage and the prospective risk of dementia : A population-based cohort study

Cho, G., Betensky, R. A., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Volume

71

Issue

8

Page(s)

2419-2429

10.1111/jgs.18394

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the long-term cognitive impact of internet usage among older adults. This research characterized the association between various measures of internet usage and dementia. Methods: We followed dementia-free adults aged 50–64.9 for a maximum of 17.1 (median = 7.9) years using the Health and Retirement Study. The association between time-to-dementia and baseline internet usage was examined using cause-specific Cox models, adjusting for delayed entry and covariates. We also examined the interaction between internet usage and education, race-ethnicity, sex, and generation. Furthermore, we examined whether the risk of dementia varies by the cumulative period of regular internet usage to see if starting or continuing usage in old age modulates subsequent risk. Finally, we examined the association between the risk of dementia and daily hours of usage. Analyses were conducted from September 2021 to November 2022. Results: In 18,154 adults, regular internet usage was associated with approximately half the risk of dementia compared to non-regular usage, CHR (cause-specific hazard ratio) = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.46–0.71. The association was maintained after adjustments for self-selection into baseline usage (CHR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.41–0.72) and signs of cognitive decline at the baseline (CHR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46–0.85). The difference in risk between regular and non-regular users did not vary by educational attainment, race-ethnicity, sex, and generation. In addition, additional periods of regular usage were associated with significantly reduced dementia risk, CHR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68–0.95. However, estimates for daily hours of usage suggested a U-shaped relationship with dementia incidence. The lowest risk was observed among adults with 0.1–2 h of usage, though estimates were non-significant due to small sample sizes. Conclusions: Regular internet users experienced approximately half the risk of dementia than non-regular users. Being a regular internet user for longer periods in late adulthood was associated with delayed cognitive impairment, although further evidence is needed on potential adverse effects of excessive usage.

Multi-Disrimination Exposure and Biological Aging: Results from the Midlife in the United States Study

Adolfo, C. G., Cole, S. W., Belsky, D. W., McSorley, A.-M., Shon, J., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Abstract

~

Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Isolation, and Dementia

Choi, E. Y., Chang, V. W., & Cho, G. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Abstract

Abstract

~

Neighborhood Social Environment and Dementia: The Mediating Role of Social Isolation

Choi, E. Y., Cho, G., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

Abstract

Abstract

~

Number of Children and Risk of Dementia

Wolfova, K., Hubbard, R. A., Cermakova, P., Chang, V. W., Crane, P. K., LaCroix, A. Z., Larson, E. B., & Tom, S. E. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Neurology

Abstract

Abstract

~

Time Path of Weight Status Before and After Incident Dementia

Zhang, Y. S., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Journal of Aging and Health

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: Identifying whether obesity is a risk factor for dementia is complicated by the possibility of weight change as dementia evolves. This article investigates an extended time path of body mass index (BMI) before and after incident dementia in a nationally representative sample. Methods: Using the Health and Retirement Study (2000–2016), we examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between BMI and incident dementia and (2) heterogeneity in the BMI trajectory by initial BMI level. Results: Weight loss begins at least one decade before incident dementia, then accelerates in the years immediately preceding dementia onset and continues after incident dementia. Those with higher levels of BMI at baseline experienced a much greater decline relative to those with a normal weight. Discussion: Our results help explain the contradicting findings in the literature regarding the relationship between obesity and dementia and highlight the need for using extended longitudinal data to understand dementia risk.

Who Works Non-Day Shifts? An Investigation of Population and Within-cohort Trends

Gawon, C., Chodosh, J., Hill, J., & Chang, V. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Social Science and Medicine

Abstract

Abstract

~

Anti-Vaccine Attitudes among Adults in the U.S. during the COVID-19 Pandemic after Vaccine Rollout

Chang, V. W., Choi, J., Lieff, S., Meltzer, G., Grivel, M., Chang, V., Yang, L., & Desjarlais, D. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

Vaccines

Volume

10

Issue

6

10.3390/vaccines10060933

Abstract

Abstract

Even though vaccination is the most effective measure against COVID-19 infections, vaccine rollout efforts have been hampered by growing anti-vaccine attitudes. Based on current knowledge, we identified three domains (beliefs, discrimination, and news) as our correlates of primary interest to examine the association with anti-vaccine attitudes. This is one of the first studies to examine key correlates of anti-vaccine attitudes during the critical early stages of vaccine implementation in the United States. An online survey was administered in May 2021 to a non-representative, nationally based sample of adults (N = 789). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found that individuals who expressed worry about COVID-19 (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.21, 0.55) and had greater knowledge of COVID-19 (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.25, 0.99) were less likely to hold antivaccine attitudes. Conversely, individuals who held stigmatizing views of COVID-19 (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.53, 3.99), had experienced racial discrimination (OR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.25, 3.67) and discrimination related to COVID-19 (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.54, 5.24), and who had been watching Fox News (OR = 3.95, 95% CI 2.61, 5.97) were more likely to hold anti-vaccine attitudes. These findings suggest COVID-19 beliefs, experiences of discrimination, and news sources should be considered when designing targeted approaches to address the anti-vaccine movement.