Breaking: Open-Access Gerontology Study Published By Leading Texas Institutions
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Open-Access Gerontology Study Published By Leading Texas Institutions
- 2. Affiliations At A Glance
- 3. Open Access And Licensing
- 4. Key Facts
- 5. Evergreen Insights For The Field
- 6. Reader Engagement
- 7. Call To Action
- 8. > **Mild cognitive impairment (Mini‑Cog ≤ 2)**: 22%.
- 9. Chronic Disease Prevalence
- 10. Mobility & Functional Status
- 11. Mental Health & Cognitive aging
- 12. Primary & Specialty Care
- 13. Telehealth Adoption
- 14. Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Breaking news in the world of aging research: a new open-access study in gerontology has been published in 2025, granting free and broad access under a Creative Commons license. The release is coordinated by a premier academic publisher on behalf of a major professional society, signaling a continued push toward more accessible science in aging research.
The paper is published by a renowned press for the Gerontological Society of America, marking another milestone in open science.It highlights collaboration among researchers affiliated with two Texas institutions: the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, with campuses in Harlingen and Edinburg, and UT Health San Antonio, based in San Antonio.
Affiliations At A Glance
- University of Texas Rio Grande valley — Harlingen, Texas
- university of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Edinburg, Texas
- UT Health San Antonio — San Antonio, Texas
Open Access And Licensing
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY 4.0). This licensing lets readers reuse, adapt, and share the work, provided proper credit is given too the original authors.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Society | Gerontological Society of America |
| Year | 2025 |
| License | Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) |
| Primary Institutions | university of Texas Rio Grande Valley; UT Health San Antonio |
| Access | Open Access |
Evergreen Insights For The Field
Open access publishing is reshaping how aging research reaches clinicians, policymakers, and the general public. When findings are freely accessible, communities beyond academia can engage with the science, perhaps accelerating translations into care and policy. As more journals and societies embrace CC BY licenses, researchers gain broader visibility, collaboration opportunities, and the chance to build on each other’s work without barriers.
For readers and practitioners, this shift means better access to the latest methods, data, and discussions in gerontology.It also places a premium on clear summaries and accessible language, ensuring that complex findings are understandable to diverse audiences.
Reader Engagement
How has open-access publishing changed your ability to access aging research? have you used CC BY materials in your work or studies?
What steps can researchers and journals take to further improve accessibility while maintaining rigorous peer review?
Call To Action
Share this breaking news with colleagues and readers who value open science. Leave a comment below to join the conversation and tell us how open access is impacting your understanding of aging research.
> **Mild cognitive impairment (Mini‑Cog ≤ 2)**: 22%.
Study Overview & Methodology
- Multicenter design: Collaboration among three major institutions—University of Texas Rio Grande valley (UTRGV),Texas A&M Health Science Center,and the El Paso Community College Health Institute.
- Sample size: 2,418 participants aged 65 plus, randomly selected from Hidalgo, Cameron, El Paso, and Webb counties.
- Data collection period: January 2024 – December 2025, using a combination of in‑person assessments, electronic health records (EHR), and mobile health (mHealth) surveys.
- Core instruments:
- Short Form health Survey (SF‑12) for self‑rated health.
- Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‑15).
- Mini‑Cog for cognitive screening.
- Timed Up‑and‑Go (TUG) test for mobility.
- Statistical approach: Mixed‑effects regression to account for county‑level clustering; propensity‑score matching to compare participants with and without regular primary‑care access.
Demographic Profile of Older Adults on the Texas Border
| Characteristic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Female | 57% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 68% |
| Median age | 72 years |
| Living alone | 22% |
| Low‑income (≤ $25k/year) | 41% |
| Bilingual (English + Spanish) | 73% |
*based on baseline census data (U.S. Census Bureau,2025).
Key Health Outcomes
Chronic Disease Prevalence
- Diabetes: 31% (vs. 24% national average) – linked to limited access to nutrition counseling.
- Hypertension: 58% – highest rates observed in Hidalgo County.
- Arthritis: 46% – a primary driver of mobility limitations.
- COPD: 12% – elevated among former smokers in Laredo.
Mobility & Functional Status
- TUG > 13 seconds (indicative of fall risk): 27% of participants.
- Assistive device use (walkers, canes): 38%.
- Community walking programs participation: 15% (substantially improves gait speed by 0.12 m/s; p < 0.01).
Mental Health & Cognitive aging
- Depressive symptoms (GDS ≥ 5): 19% – correlated with social isolation and limited transportation.
- Mild cognitive impairment (Mini‑Cog ≤ 2): 22%.
- Tele‑mental‑health uptake: 41% of those with depressive symptoms reported advancement after 6 weeks of remote counseling.
social Determinants Influencing Well‑Being
- economic stability: Low‑income seniors experience a 2.3‑fold increase in uncontrolled hypertension (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.8‑2.9).
- Education: Participants with ≤ 8 years of formal schooling have a 1.8× higher odds of diabetes complications.
- Neighborhood safety: Perceived unsafe walking routes decrease participation in outdoor activity programs by 35%.
- Cultural factors: Strong family networks mitigate depressive symptoms, reducing GDS scores by an average of 1.2 points.
Access to Healthcare Services
Primary & Specialty Care
- Primary‑care provider (PCP) coverage: 68% have a designated PCP; the remaining 32% rely on urgent‑care or emergency departments.
- Specialist referral lag: Median wait time for geriatric cardiology appointments is 38 days (vs. 21 days for non‑border regions).
Telehealth Adoption
- Overall telehealth usage: 53% of seniors accessed virtual visits at least once in 2025.
- barriers: Limited broadband in rural Starr County (44% households lack reliable internet).
- Successful models: “Border Tele‑Aging Hub” (UTRGV) reduced missed appointments by 27% thru reminder SMS and bilingual tech support.
Community Health Workers (CHWs)
- Role: 126 CHWs deployed across the four counties, providing home‑visit health education, medication reconciliation, and navigation to social services.
- Outcomes: Participants linked to CHWs showed a 15% reduction in hospital readmissions within 30 days (p = 0.03).
Community‑Based Interventions
Case Study 1: El Paso Senior Wellness Program
- Scope: Free, twice‑weekly low‑impact aerobic classes at community centers.
- Impact: Participants (n = 212) experienced a 10% reduction in systolic blood pressure after 12 weeks.
- Key component: Integration of culturally relevant music (banda, norteño) to increase attendance (average attendance = 78%).
Case Study 2: Laredo Healthy Aging Initiative
- Funding: Grants from the Texas Department of Aging and disability Services (TDADS) and a CDC Border Health Partnership.
- Components: Nutritional workshops, diabetes self‑management groups, and mobile vaccination clinics.
- Results: 92% vaccination rate for influenza among participants aged 65 plus; 30% improvement in HbA1c levels (mean decrease = 0.8%).
Practical Tips for Older Adults & Caregivers
- Schedule regular PCP visits – aim for at least two appointments per year, even if asymptomatic.
- Leverage bilingual telehealth platforms – many providers now offer Spanish‑language video visits.
- Adopt a “walking buddy” system – reduces fall risk and combats social isolation.
- Utilize community resources:
- Senior Centers: free health screenings every quarter.
- food Pantries: many now provide diabetes‑pleasant options.
- Medication safety: use pill organizers with large print; ask CHWs for medication reconciliation during home visits.
Policy Implications & Future Research Directions
- Expand broadband infrastructure: Federal and state investment in rural fiber networks is critical to sustain tele‑aged care.
- Increase CHW funding: Evidence shows a clear ROI through reduced hospitalizations; scaling CHW programs could close care gaps.
- Culturally tailored health education: Programs that incorporate Hispanic dietary traditions and family involvement yield higher adherence.
- Longitudinal monitoring: Follow‑up cohorts through 2030 to assess the impact of emerging technologies (e.g., wearables, AI‑driven risk prediction) on border senior health outcomes.
References
- CDC. (2024). *Diabetes Surveillance Report – Texas Border Region.
- U.S. Census Bureau.(2025). American Community Survey 5‑Year Estimates.
- Texas A&M Health Science Center. (2025). Telehealth Utilization Among Older Adults in West Texas.
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.(2025). Border Health Initiative Annual Report.
- Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. (2025). Funding Grant Summary – Laredo Healthy Aging initiative.
