Mario D. Garrett, Ph.D., is a professor of gerontology at San Diego State University, California. Garrett was nominated in 2022 as "...the most popular gerontology instructor in the nation,” according to authority.org. He has worked at the London School of Economics/Surrey University, Bristol University Bath University, University of North Texas, and the University of New Mexico. As the team leader of a United Nations Population Fund, with the United Nations International Institute on Aging, he coordinated a five-year project looking at support for the elderly in the People’s Republic of China. Garrett founded the international aging magazine ‘BOLD’, now the “International Journal on Ageing in Developing Countries.” His 2013 talk at University of California San Diego TV has had over 1.7 million views. He has over 40 academic publications, hundreds of blogs, and nine non-fiction books. You can find him at www.mariogarrett.com Address: San Diego, California, United States
Assess age and sex differences in the association of obesity and other CVD risk factors with oste... more Assess age and sex differences in the association of obesity and other CVD risk factors with osteoarthritis (OA) in Southern California American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) adults. Cross-sectional study. Southern California. 6,299 AIAN adults aged 35+ years from health clinic system. Osteoarthritis prevalence. Age-adjusted OA prevalence was 16.5% in women and 11.5% in men. OA prevalence increased with age and was higher in women. Very and morbid levels of obesity were associated with higher OA prevalence in some age groups. Hypertension was strongly associated with increased OA and current smoking tended to be associated with increased OA. For men, we found no association between diabetes and OA; however, diabetes was associated with more OA for women aged 35-54 years. Southern California AIANs may have lower OA prevalence than the US population as a whole. Comparisons of OA prevalence with other AIAN communities were not possible due to lack of other similar published results. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of OA within this understudied minority population.
Objectives. In non-American Indian/Alaska Native groups, current smoking prevalence is similar fo... more Objectives. In non-American Indian/Alaska Native groups, current smoking prevalence is similar for those with or without diabetes (26%) We analyzed current smoking prevalence in American Indian/Alaska Natives by diabetes status.Methods. Data were extracted from Indian Health Service clinic visit information from 1998 to 2003. After consolidation into unique patient records, the sample comprised 71221 patients aged 14 years or older with both diabetes and current smoking information.Results. Cross-sectional results indicated that diabetic American Indian/Alaska Natives were significantly more likely than those without diabetes to be current smokers (29.8% vs 18.8%; P<.01). Smoking rates were 2 to 3 times higher among diabetic American Indians and Alaska Natives for each age category (P<.001), and current smokers with diabetes were more likely than nonsmokers to have glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels at 8.0% or higher (P <.05).Conclusions. American Indian/Alaska Natives with diabetes at all sites and age categories were found to smoke at significantly higher rates than those without diabetes. Smoking cessation programs should target diabetic patients to more effectively prevent complications and promote successful management of diabetes in American Indians/Alaska Natives.
The objective of this study was to ascertain whether a symposium on elder abuse raises the level ... more The objective of this study was to ascertain whether a symposium on elder abuse raises the level of knowledge and the self-reported likelihood to report elder abuse among licensed oral health care providers. 130 dentists, hygienists, and assistants voluntarily attended a 4-hour training symposium and completed both pre- and postsurveys testing their level of knowledge. Results by statistical analyses, using repeated measurements, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for nonparametric data, showed increases in awareness of reporting process, knowledge/awareness of elder abuse, knowledge of mandated reporter requirements, and comfort levels with recognizing signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect. In conclusion, a symposium can increase the self-reported likelihood of reporting elder abuse.
Background: Consolidating the findings from an extensive literature review of research in geograp... more Background: Consolidating the findings from an extensive literature review of research in geography of aging the theme of “belonging” emerge as a consolidating factor. Applying Paul Vidal de la Blache’s concept of geography the authors explore the concept of aging-centered geography (milieu interne) and geography-centered geography (milieu externe.) Objective: To consolidate different theories to explore whether a more formalized construct can be identified that examine the space between the individual and their environment. Method: Through a review of the literature, focusing on theoretical literature relevant to concepts and theoretical frameworks related to the concepts of: “Lifeworld,” “Topophilia,” “Fields,” “Placial,” “Placeways,” “Corporeaography,” “Genius Loci,” and “Heritage.” Result: These theoretical terms refer to the ethereal interface between an individual and their environment, the place-identity that we internalize in a number of indelible ways. The internalization of our geography is then explored through endocrinology and epi-genetics. Providing evidence that there is a connection between the environment, our well-being, and how our genes express themselves as a reaction to these changes. The conclusion develops a theoretical model based on a concept of “belonging”. Conclusion: The symbiotic relationship between individuals and their geography resides in our body, where geography leaves evidence in our DNA just as we leave traces in our geography.
Assess age and sex differences in the association of obesity and other CVD risk factors with oste... more Assess age and sex differences in the association of obesity and other CVD risk factors with osteoarthritis (OA) in Southern California American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) adults. Cross-sectional study. Southern California. 6,299 AIAN adults aged 35+ years from health clinic system. Osteoarthritis prevalence. Age-adjusted OA prevalence was 16.5% in women and 11.5% in men. OA prevalence increased with age and was higher in women. Very and morbid levels of obesity were associated with higher OA prevalence in some age groups. Hypertension was strongly associated with increased OA and current smoking tended to be associated with increased OA. For men, we found no association between diabetes and OA; however, diabetes was associated with more OA for women aged 35-54 years. Southern California AIANs may have lower OA prevalence than the US population as a whole. Comparisons of OA prevalence with other AIAN communities were not possible due to lack of other similar published results. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of OA within this understudied minority population.
Objectives. In non-American Indian/Alaska Native groups, current smoking prevalence is similar fo... more Objectives. In non-American Indian/Alaska Native groups, current smoking prevalence is similar for those with or without diabetes (26%) We analyzed current smoking prevalence in American Indian/Alaska Natives by diabetes status.Methods. Data were extracted from Indian Health Service clinic visit information from 1998 to 2003. After consolidation into unique patient records, the sample comprised 71221 patients aged 14 years or older with both diabetes and current smoking information.Results. Cross-sectional results indicated that diabetic American Indian/Alaska Natives were significantly more likely than those without diabetes to be current smokers (29.8% vs 18.8%; P<.01). Smoking rates were 2 to 3 times higher among diabetic American Indians and Alaska Natives for each age category (P<.001), and current smokers with diabetes were more likely than nonsmokers to have glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels at 8.0% or higher (P <.05).Conclusions. American Indian/Alaska Natives with diabetes at all sites and age categories were found to smoke at significantly higher rates than those without diabetes. Smoking cessation programs should target diabetic patients to more effectively prevent complications and promote successful management of diabetes in American Indians/Alaska Natives.
The objective of this study was to ascertain whether a symposium on elder abuse raises the level ... more The objective of this study was to ascertain whether a symposium on elder abuse raises the level of knowledge and the self-reported likelihood to report elder abuse among licensed oral health care providers. 130 dentists, hygienists, and assistants voluntarily attended a 4-hour training symposium and completed both pre- and postsurveys testing their level of knowledge. Results by statistical analyses, using repeated measurements, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for nonparametric data, showed increases in awareness of reporting process, knowledge/awareness of elder abuse, knowledge of mandated reporter requirements, and comfort levels with recognizing signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect. In conclusion, a symposium can increase the self-reported likelihood of reporting elder abuse.
Background: Consolidating the findings from an extensive literature review of research in geograp... more Background: Consolidating the findings from an extensive literature review of research in geography of aging the theme of “belonging” emerge as a consolidating factor. Applying Paul Vidal de la Blache’s concept of geography the authors explore the concept of aging-centered geography (milieu interne) and geography-centered geography (milieu externe.) Objective: To consolidate different theories to explore whether a more formalized construct can be identified that examine the space between the individual and their environment. Method: Through a review of the literature, focusing on theoretical literature relevant to concepts and theoretical frameworks related to the concepts of: “Lifeworld,” “Topophilia,” “Fields,” “Placial,” “Placeways,” “Corporeaography,” “Genius Loci,” and “Heritage.” Result: These theoretical terms refer to the ethereal interface between an individual and their environment, the place-identity that we internalize in a number of indelible ways. The internalization of our geography is then explored through endocrinology and epi-genetics. Providing evidence that there is a connection between the environment, our well-being, and how our genes express themselves as a reaction to these changes. The conclusion develops a theoretical model based on a concept of “belonging”. Conclusion: The symbiotic relationship between individuals and their geography resides in our body, where geography leaves evidence in our DNA just as we leave traces in our geography.
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