Focus Areas
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Age-Friendly Communities
Facilitating efforts for ETSU to join the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFUN).
Southerland JL, Keith Johnson, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion
2023 – Ongoing
The older adult population is projected to nearly double by 2060 to 95 million. Many of these individuals are seeking opportunities to remain active, engaged, and connected after retirement. By aligning ETSU’s ecosystem with these global demographic shifts, the university can become a welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities.
Learn more about AFUN here.
The Tennessee Multi-Sector Plan for Aging Data Dashboard
Huang Qian, Trull LH
2023 – Ongoing
This dashboard serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders to gather information and insights about the population of Tennessee residents who are 65 or older. The dashboard provides comprehensive data and statistics related to various aspects of aging, such as demographics, health and well-being, economic security, social engagement, and community support. The dashboard is a collaborative effort of the ETSU Center for Rural Health and Research and the TN Division of TennCare, who also funded the project.
Learn more about dashboard here.
Century Club of East Tennessee
Southerland, JL
2022 – Ongoing
The Century Club of East Tennessee was established in 2022 to recognize individuals who have celebrated their birthday of 100 years or older. We are proud to honor the milestones of East Tennessee's oldest residents and recognize their achievements. The Century Club of East Tennessee is open to residents in the 33-county region of East Tennessee. To request a certificate of recognition for the Centenarian in your life, please visit our website.
Learn more about the Century Club here.
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Healthy Aging Across the Lifespan
Discussion on Structural Determinants of Health Focusing on Mental Health Challenges of Intergenerational Caregivers
Ginny Kidwell
2024
The Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) will partner with the East Tennessee State University MOSAIC Center for Aging to convene a hybrid event to discuss structural determinants of health focusing on the mental health challenges of intergenerational caregivers, particularly related to caring for the aging in more isolated rural communities. TNIPH and MOSAIC will partner with Ballad Health, Frontier Health, the TN Department of Disability and Aging, First Tennessee Development District, long-term care facilities, and other regional partners to produce and facilitate this regional convening and networking opportunity for caregivers, families and service providers. This event is funded by County Health Rankings & Roadmap.
Evaluation of the Veterans Home Rehabilitation and Modification Program
Bethesda O’Connell
2023 - 2026
The Coalition for Home Repair received funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct home modifications for older adult veterans. ETSU was contract to evaluate the impact of these home improvements, including accessibility, falls, and overall physical and mental health.
33rd Annual Conference on Aging
Ginny Kidwell
April 25, 2023
Hosted by the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, Kingsport, TN. Ms. Kidwell was a sponsor and exhibitor in partnership with the Tennessee Public Health Training Center and Center for Rural Health Research.
32nd Annual Conference on Aging
Ginny Kidwell
April 26, 2022
Hosted by the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, Kingsport, TN. Ms. Kidwell was a sponsor and exhibitor in partnership with the Tennessee Public Health Training Center and Center for Rural Health Research.
Tennessee Regional Healthcare Quality Improvement Collaborative (GQIC)
Ginny Kidwell, Taylor Dula, and the Tennessee Institute of Public Health
2019 – 2021 (Ongoing)
This project’s goal was to provide leadership to form a long-term care facilities collaborative in Northeast Tennessee. Relevant topics included discussion of the impetus to transform long-term care with best practices to address staffing, infection control information sharing, staffing flexibility vs. safety, and the optimal care of residents across rural and denser populations.
Fall Prevention and Elder Abuse Roundtable Discussion
Ginny Kidwell, and the Tennessee Institute of Public Health
2018
This project’s goal was to engage people and organizations from a variety of sectors as partners to improve the safety and well-being of senior citizens in Northeast Tennessee. The Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) at East Tennessee State University’s College of Public Health and regional partners hosted a “Senior Fall Prevention and Elder Abuse Prevention Roundtable” in coordination with the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps annual release.
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Intergenerational Relationships and Caregiving
Special Research Topic in Frontiers in Public Health – Aging and Public Health
Southerland JL, Cohen SA, O’Sullivan R, Smith ML
2024 – 2025
Dr. Southerland, and colleagues, served as guest editors for the Frontiers in Public Health Special Research Topic: Caregiving for Older Adults in Rural and Underserved Communities.
Learn more about this topic here.
ARCHE Project: Advancing Research Among Caregivers in Higher Education
Southerland JL, Mauck E
2023 – 2024
This mixed methods study examined sociodemographic characteristics, care burden, and role of supporting employee and student caregivers to an adult.