Networks

REALCE Network for Research on Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (Red de Investigación del Envejecimiento en America Latina y el Caribe).

The UTMB Sealy Center on Aging is part of the Network for Research on Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean, REALCE, which was formed to enhance all aspects of research about the social, economic, health, well-being and quality-of-life aspects of aging populations in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The network seeks to maximize regional research capacity through dissemination of research findings, ongoing studies, available databases, upcoming conferences and professional events and training opportunities. In addition, the network seeks to foster collaborations among researchers and to help coordinate regional conferences on relevant topics. Members of the REALCE include nationally recognized researchers from institutions located in Chile, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba and the United States. For more information on members and institutions, visit the REALCE web site at http://realce.org/

REALCE Members

Front row left to right: Maria Aranda, Roberto Ham-Chande, Martha Pelaez, Ana Luisa Dávila, Rebeca Wong, Nelly Salgado de Snyder, Cecilia Albala.
Back row left to right:Luis Rosero Bixby, Alberto García Gurucharri, Pedro Paulo Marin, Luis Miguel Gutiérrez Robledo, Jorge Bravo Sanchez and Kyriakos S. Markides.

Central American Center of Population CCP (Centro Centroamericano de Poblacion)

The CCP is a research center at the Universidad de Costa Rica founded in 1993. The center is designed to enhance population research, training and data dissemination. The center has studied aspects of the Central American population, its actual and past demographic profile. A major area of research is aging.

National Institute of Public Health INSP (Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica)

The National Institute of Public Health in Mexico (INSP) is dedicated to the research and study of public health issues of Mexico. The institute looks forward to better health practitioners and a health system with access for all to primary care. The INSP is the national institute responsible for national surveys in health. The objective has been to collect consistent, reliable information in health and nutrition at regular intervals.

Institute of Aging (Instituto de Envejecimiento)

The institute is one of the research centers at the Universidad Javeriana, Colombia. Its main purpose is to contribute in multidisciplinary aspects to the care of older adults. Since the elderly population is growing faster in less-developed countries, their need for better care is crucial. The purpose of the institute is to develop tools to provide better care focus and a better quality of life for older adults in Colombia and Latin America. The WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center has established collaborating research with this center mainly in the neurological aspects of aging.

To contact the institute write to: nvejecimiento@javeriana.edu.co

Resources

Health and Nutrition National Survey (ENSANUT 2006), (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición): is a national survey from the National System of Health Surveys in Mexico. The database is the fusion of two previous surveys: ENSA 2000 and ENA 1999, health and nutrition surveys. The purpose of ENSANUT is to collect data on health, nutrition, and the health system among Mexicans.

Health and Retirement Study (HRS): is a longitudinal study of health and aging over more than 22,000 Americans over 50 years old. The study is conducted by the University of Michigan and it is available for researchers and analysts.

Health, Well-being, and Aging in Latin American Countries and the Caribbean (SABE), (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe): is a cross-sectional survey on health and aging conducted in the following countries: Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Uruguay. A version of the data can be consulted on the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) at http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cocoon/NACDA/STUDY/03546.xml

Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE): is a longitudinal study of elderly Mexican American Health. The recollection of data started on 1993; the focus of the study is on health status and health care needs of Mexican American elderly. A version of the data can be consulted on the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) at the following links:

Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS): is a panel study of health and aging of Mexicans over 50 years old. The survey has national and urban/rural representation. The baseline survey was conducted in 2001 and the follow up in 2003.
A list of publications and research projects related to the MHAS 2001 and 2003 can be found here.

National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA): is the largest library of electronic data on aging in the United States. The NACDA was funded by the National Institute on Aging at the University of Michigan. Its main purpose is to acquire and preserve data relevant to aging research.