1. Wolverine Caucus: Loneliness Among Older Adults

    Mark Rivett posted February 16, 2021

    Friday, February 26, 2021

    10:00am – 11:30am

    Please RSVP for this virtual event here.

    The National Poll on Aging taps into the perspectives of adults age 50-80 from throughout the United States and communicates the public’s voice on a variety of topics, including loneliness, that affect the health and well-being of older Americans and their families. The COVID-19 Coping Study reviews the estimated prevalence of loneliness among US older adults during the early phase of the pandemic, and identifies key sociodemographic characteristics, employment factors, living circumstances, and health-related factors that are associated with loneliness.

    Panelists

    Dr. Preeti Malani
    UM Chief Health Officer and Director of the National Poll on Health Aging

    Dr. Malani is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She received her MD degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she completed a Masters in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Michigan where she also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. Dr. Malani completed fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Malani’s clinical and research interests include infection control and prevention and infections in older adults.

    Dr. Lindsay Kobayashi
    Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Principal Investigator of the COVID-19 Coping Study

    Dr. Kobayashi studies the social epidemiology of cognitive aging and health equity among low-income older populations. Her current research focuses on life course determinants of cognitive aging in rural South Africa and the population health implications of improving cancer survival rates in the U.S.

    Area Agency on Aging Representative

    Area Agency on Aging (AAA) working to Support Seniors, Caregivers and People with Disabilities. Established in 1974, the Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization with a rich history of supporting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in southeast Michigan. AAA helps people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. They provide direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for many programs provided by our community partner organizations.

    What is the Wolverine Caucus?

    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world- class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.