Bei Wu

Faculty

Bei Wu headshot

Bei Wu

FAAN FGSA PhD

Dean's Professor in Global Health
Vice Dean, Research
Affiliated Professor, Ashman Department of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry
Co-director, NYU Aging Incubator

1 212 992 5951

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Dr. Wu is Dean’s Professor in Global Health and Vice Dean for Research at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is an inaugural Co-Director of the NYU Aging Incubator. Prior to joining NYU, she was the Pauline Gratz Professor of Nursing at Duke University School of Nursing. Prof. Wu is an internationally-known leader in gerontology.

As a principal investigator, Prof. Wu has led numerous projects supported by federal agencies and private foundations, including the NIH and CDC. She is currently leading several NIH-funded projects including a clinical trial to improve oral health for persons

with cognitive impairment, and a large secondary data analysis to examine how the co-occurrence of diabetes and poor oral health may lead to the development of dementia and cognitive decline. She co-leads the newly funded Rutgers-NYU Center for Asian Health Promotion and Equity. Through this center, she also leads a 5-year intervention study that focuses on supporting Chinese and Korean dementia caregivers who are at increased risk for high blood pressure and diabetes due to the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. She is a director of the Research and Education Core for the NIA-funded Asian Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR).

As a scholar, Prof. Wu is an internationally known leader in gerontology. Her scholarship has been distinguished by interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers in various disciplines, including nursing and dentistry, in the US and abroad. Her research areas cover a wide range of topics related to aging and global health, including oral health, long-term care, dementia, and caregiving. She is one of the first in the nation to study the linkages between oral health and cognitive decline in older adults. Her research has also addressed knowledge gaps in the linkages between oral health and diabetes.

Prof. Wu has devoted much of her time to training the next generation of aging and nursing scientists from dozens of academic institutions in the U.S. and abroad. She has mentored hundreds of faculty members, visiting scholars, and students from various disciplines, including nursing, gerontology, dentistry, medicine, social work, demography, public health, sociology, public policy, geography, and economics. She is successful in mentoring several dozens of early-stage faculty members in receiving competitive funding from NIH, Robert Wood Johnson Scholars, the Alzheimer’s Society (UK), National Science Foundation of China, China Medical Board, National Medical Research Council (Singapore), and many others. 

Prof. Wu is a productive researcher. She has published more than 600 peer-reviewed papers, books, reports, and conference abstracts. Her extensive publications cover a wide range of topics related to aging and global health. She has delivered presentations at hundreds of conferences as an invited speaker. Her work has been widely recognized in the field. Research findings from her team have been featured by the National Institute on Aging, and in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, BBC, U.S. News and World Report, MarketWatch, CBS News, Reuters, AARP Bulletin, China Daily, Daily Mail, South China Morning Post, and Financial Review.

Her achievement has been recognized by many international and national organizations and she is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, and the New York Academy of Medicine. She is an honorary member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and is the former president of the Geriatric Oral Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research. She has served on a number of NIH review panels and is a frequent reviewer for multiple international funding agencies. She was honored as the 2017 IADR Distinguished Scientist in Geriatric Oral Research. She is the recipient of the 2022 Wei Hu Inspiration Award from the China Health Policy and Management Society. 

PhD - Gerontology Center, University of Massachusetts, Boston
MS - Gerontology Center, University of Massachusetts, Boston
BS - Shanghai University

Gerontology
Global

Honorary Member, Sigma Theta Tau International - Honor Society of Nursing

Distinguished Scientist Award for Geriatric Oral Research, International Association for Dental Research (2017)
Pauline Gratz Professorship, Duke University School of Nursing (2014)
J. Morita Junior Investigator Award in Geriatric Oral Health, International Association for Dental Research (2007)
Fellow, Gerontological Society of America
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine
Fellow, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

Perceived Neighborhood Conditions, Self-Management Abilities, and Psychological Well-Being Among Chinese Older Adults in Hawai’i

Zhang, K., Wu, B., & Zhang, W. (2022). Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(4), 1111-1119. 10.1177/07334648211030072
Abstract
Abstract
Using survey data collected from January to September 2018 (N = 430), this study examined how neighborhood physical conditions and social cohesion were associated with psychological well-being via pathway of self-management abilities among Chinese older adults living in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Results showed that, for the whole sample, neighborhood physical conditions and social cohesion were significantly associated with psychological well-being, and the main associations were mediated by self-management abilities in the amount of 34% and 60%, respectively. Similar results were found for the foreign-born, whereas for the U.S.-born, psychological well-being was significantly related to neighborhood physical conditions only. Our findings reveal the importance of neighborhood conditions and individual psychological resources on psychological well-being of Chinese older adults.

Perceived neighborhood environment, social capital and life satisfaction among older adults in Shanghai, China

Lu, N., & Wu, B. (2022). Scientific Reports, 12(1). 10.1038/s41598-022-10742-7
Abstract
Abstract
This study examined the mediator role of social capital on the association between perceived neighborhood environment and life satisfaction among older adults in urban China, and further tested the moderating effect of gender in the above paths (i.e., from neighborhood environment to life satisfaction; from neighborhood environment to social capital; from social capital to life satisfaction). We used quota sampling approach to recruit 472 respondents aged 60 years old or older in Shanghai in 2020. From the perspective of structural equation modeling, multiple group analysis was conducted to examine the proposed hypotheses. The measurement model of social capital was well established in urban Chinese community contexts. Based on the whole sample, the results of the mediation model showed that social capital played a mediation role in the association between neighborhood environment and life satisfaction. Furthermore, the results of multiple group analysis showed that the association between neighborhood environment and cognitive social capital was only significant among older women. The findings highlight the role of neighborhood environment and social capital in building age-friendly communities.

Prediction of physical functioning and general health status trajectories on mortality among persons with cognitive impairment

Zang, E., Wang, X., Shi, Y., Wu, B., & Fried, T. R. (2022). BMC Geriatrics, 22(1). 10.1186/s12877-022-03446-0
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The concern posed by the confluence of aging and cognitive impairment is growing in importance as the U.S. population rapidly ages. As such, we sought to examine the predictive power of physical functioning (PF) and general health status (GHS) trajectories on mortality outcomes among persons with cognitive impairment (PCIs). Methods: We used group-based trajectory models to identify latent group memberships for PF trajectories in 1,641 PCIs and GHS trajectories in 2,021 PCIs from the National Health and Aging Trends Survey (2011–2018) and applied logistic regressions to predict mortality using these memberships controlling for individual characteristics. Results: We identified six trajectory groups for PF and four groups for GHS. Trajectory group memberships for both outcomes significantly predicted mortality. For PF, group memberships largely captured the average levels over time, and worse trajectories (i.e., lower baselines and faster declines) were associated with higher odds of death. The highest mortality risk was associated with the group experiencing a sharp decline early in its PF trajectory, although its average level across time was not the lowest. For GHS, we observed two groups with comparable average levels across time, but the one with a convex-shape trajectory had much higher mortality risks compared to the one with a concave-shape trajectory. Conclusions: Our findings highlighted that health trajectories predicted mortality among PCIs, not only because of general levels but also because of the shapes of declines. Close monitoring health deterioration of PCIs is crucial to understand the health burden of this population and to make subsequent actions.

A Profile of Black and Latino Older Adults Receiving Care in Nursing Homes: 2011–2017

Travers, J. L., Dick, A. W., Wu, B., Grabowski, D. C., Robison, J., Agarwal, M., Perera, G. U., & Stone, P. W. (2022). Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 23(11), 1833-1837.e2. 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.04.010
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To identify if disparate trends in the access and use of nursing home (NH) services among Black and Latino older adults compared with White older adults persist. Access was operationalized as the NHs that served Black, Latino, and White residents. Use was operationalized as the utilization of NH services by Black, Latino, and White residents. Design: This was an observational study analyzing facility-level data from LTCfocus for 2011 to 2017. Setting and Participants: All NH residents present in US NHs participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program on the first Thursday in April in the years 2011 to 2017. NHs with fewer than 4500 bed-days per year are excluded in the LCTfocus dataset. Black, Latino, and White were the racial/ethnic groups of interest. Methods: We calculated the mean percentage of each racial/ethnic group in NHs (Black, Latino, White) annually along with the number of NHs that provided care for these groups. We conducted a simple trend analysis using ordinary least squares to estimate the change in NH access and use by racial/ethnic group over time. Results: Our NH sample ranged from 15,564 in 2011 to 14,956 in 2017. Latino residents' use of NHs increased by 20.47% and Black residents increased by 11.42%, whereas there was a 1.36% decrease in White residents’ use of NHs. In this 7-year span, there was a 4.44% and 6.41% decline in the number of NHs that serve any Black and Latino older adults, respectively, compared with a 2.26% decline in NHs that serve only White older adults (access). Conclusions and Implications: Our findings reveal a continued disproportionate rise in Black and Latino older adults’ use of NHs while the number of NHs that serve this population have declined. This work can inform federal and state policies to ensure access to long-term care services and supports in the community for all older adults and prevent inappropriate NH closures.

Public Discourse and Sentiment Toward Dementia on Chinese Social Media: Machine Learning Analysis of Weibo Posts

Kong, D., Chen, A., Zhang, J., Xiang, X., Lou, W. Q., Kwok, T., & Wu, B. (2022). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(9). 10.2196/39805
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Dementia is a global public health priority due to rapid growth of the aging population. As China has the world’s largest population with dementia, this debilitating disease has created tremendous challenges for older adults, family caregivers, and health care systems on the mainland nationwide. However, public awareness and knowledge of the disease remain limited in Chinese society. Objective: This study examines online public discourse and sentiment toward dementia among the Chinese public on a leading Chinese social media platform Weibo. Specifically, this study aims to (1) assess and examine public discourse and sentiment toward dementia among the Chinese public, (2) determine the extent to which dementia-related discourse and sentiment vary among different user groups (ie, government, journalists/news media, scientists/experts, and the general public), and (3) characterize temporal trends in public discourse and sentiment toward dementia among different user groups in China over the past decade. Methods: In total, 983,039 original dementia-related posts published by 347,599 unique users between 2010 and 2021, together with their user information, were analyzed. Machine learning analytical techniques, including topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and semantic network analyses, were used to identify salient themes/topics and their variations across different user groups (ie, government, journalists/news media, scientists/experts, and the general public). Results: Topic modeling results revealed that symptoms, prevention, and social support are the most prevalent dementia-related themes on Weibo. Posts about dementia policy/advocacy have been increasing in volume since 2018. Raising awareness is the least discussed topic over time. Sentiment analysis indicated that Weibo users generally attach negative attitudes/emotions to dementia, with the general public holding a more negative attitude than other user groups. Conclusions: Overall, dementia has received greater public attention on social media since 2018. In particular, discussions related to dementia advocacy and policy are gaining momentum in China. However, disparaging language is still used to describe dementia in China; therefore, a nationwide initiative is needed to alter the public discourse on dementia. The results contribute to previous research by providing a macrolevel understanding of the Chinese public’s discourse and attitudes toward dementia, which is essential for building national education and policy initiatives to create a dementia-friendly society. Our findings indicate that dementia is associated with negative sentiments, and symptoms and prevention dominate public discourse.

Public trust in the long-term care insurance pilot program in China: An analysis of mediating effects

Peng, R., Zhang, W., Deng, X., & Wu, B. (2022). Frontiers in Public Health, 10. 10.3389/fpubh.2022.928745
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the long-term care insurance (LTCI) pilot program in China through an examination of public trust in the system and its associated factors of insurance awareness and satisfaction with the LTCI policy. Method: An online survey was used to collect data from 786 participants in the city of Guangzhou, one of the pilot sites of the LTCI. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to investigate the related factors of public trust in the LTCI. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the mediating effect of satisfaction with LTCI policy on the relationship between insurance awareness and public trust. Results: More than 60% of participants gave a positive evaluation of the LTCI pilot program. More than 70% of the participants recognized the important role of the program. Both an understanding of insurance and satisfaction with LTCI policies were associated with public trust. The proportion of the indirect effect with regard to the total effect of satisfaction on trust was 70.133%, greater than the direct effect of 29.867%. Conclusions: Our findings supported the hypothesis that satisfaction with the LTCI policy plays a mediating role between insurance awareness and public trust. Optimalization of the LTCI policy was recommended to improve public trust in the LTCI program.

A qualitative analysis of communication workflows between adult day service centers and primary care providers

Zhong, J., Boafo, J., Brody, A. A., Wu, B., & Sadarangani, A. T. (2022). Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 29(5), 882-890. 10.1093/jamia/ocab284
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: Our study documented communication workflows across adult day care centers (ADCs) and primary care providers (PCPs) around complex needs of persons living with dementia (PLWD). We also identified barriers and facilitators to productive communication in clinical decision support and clinical information systems. Materials and Methods: We conducted 6 focus groups with ADC staff (N=33) and individual semistructured interviews with PCPs (N=22) in California. The eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model was used to frame the directed qualitative content analysis. Results: Our results captured cumbersome and ineffective workflows currently used to exchange information across PCPs and ADCs. Stakeholders characterized current communication as (1) infrequent, (2) delayed, (3) incomplete, (4) unreliable, (5) irrelevant, and (6) generic. Conversely, communication that was bidirectional, relevant, succinct, and interdisciplinary was needed to elevate the standard of care for PLWD. Discussion and Conclusion: ADCs possess a wealth of information that can support clinical decision-making across community-based providers involved in the care of PLWD, especially PCPs. However, effective information exchange is mired by complicated workflows that rely on antiquated technologies (eg, facsimile) and standard templates. Current information exchange largely focuses on satisfying regulatory guidelines rather than supporting clinical decision-making. Integrating community-based services into the health care continuum is a necessary step in elevating the standard of care for PLWD. In the absence of interoperable electronic health records, which may not be financially viable for ADCs, other options, such as mobile health, should be explored to facilitate productive information exchange of personalized relevant information.

Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors Among Centenarians in Nanjing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Xu, X., Zhao, Y., Xia, S., Cui, P., Tang, W., Hu, X., & Wu, B. (2022). Social Indicators Research, 160(2), 735-755. 10.1007/s11205-020-02399-4
Abstract
Abstract
As centenarians are the most vulnerable social group among older adults, their quality of life (QoL) is of great significance for the realization of healthy aging and a harmonious society. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to propose a multidimensional analysis of centenarians’ QoL to examine the factors associated with QoL. In the study, a factor analysis method, including exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, was used to uncover the latent structure of QoL and to monitor the dimension, reliability, and validity of the measurement scale. Structural equation model was performed to test the proposed hypotheses. Based on Lawton’s “the good life” theoretical framework, we constructed our QoL model with four dimensions: physical health, mental health, family and social relationships, and socioeconomic status. After the factor analysis, three main hypotheses were presented. The results of the final QoL model revealed that two hypotheses of the relationships between QoL and “physical health” and “socioeconomic status” were supported. This paper suggests that interventions related to improving functional health and living standard could enhance the QoL for centenarians.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Getting COVID-19 Vaccine: Do Age, Gender, and Education Matter?

Zhang, W., Wu, Y. Y., & Wu, B. (2022). Health Equity, 6(1), 500-507. 10.1089/heq.2022.0025
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: COVID-19 disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities and vaccine can help mitigate infection and transition, decrease rate of hospitalization, lower mortality rate, and control the pandemic. This study aims to examine disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rate by age among Whites, Hispanics, Blacks, and Asian Americans, and the modification effects by gender and education. Methods: We used seven waves of biweekly surveys from the Household Pulse Survey collected between July 21, 2021, and October 11, 2021. Results: Asians reported the highest, Blacks reported the lowest vaccination rate, and gender differences were minimal. Increasing age was associated with higher vaccination rate except for the oldest age group. The decline was from 84.4% (70-79 years) to 41.1% (80-88 years: 41.1%) among Hispanics and 92.8% to 69.6% among Asians. Educational effect was the most salient among younger adults with the largest gaps observed in Blacks. Among 18-29-year Black participants, the vaccination rates were 31.1% (confidence interval [95% CI]: 25.7-37.1) for high school or lower, 58.9% (95% CI: 54.2-63.5) for some college or associate degree, and 74.2% (95% CI: 69.4-78.5) for bachelor or higher degrees, leaving a 43.1% gap between the lowest and the highest education levels. The gaps in this age group were 33.7% among Whites, 32.1% among Hispanics, and 20.5% among Asian Americans. Conclusion: Our study advances the existing literature on COVID-19 vaccination by providing empirical evidence on the dynamic race/ethnic-age-education differences across racial/ethnic groups. The findings from our study provide scientific foundation for the development of more strategies to improve vaccination rate for the minority populations.

Social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China: The role of self-rated health

Lu, N., Wu, B., Pei, Y., & Peng, C. (2022). International Psychogeriatrics, 34(8), 691-701. 10.1017/S1041610221000958
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: This study examined the relationships between social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural China, and the moderating effect of self-rated health (SRH) in these relationships. Participants: A quota sampling method was applied to recruit 447 participants aged 60 years and older in rural communities in Jilin province, China in 2019. Measurements: Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to build latent constructs of social capital and test the proposed model. Multiple group analysis was used to test the moderation effects. Results: Cognitive social capital and structural social capital were both associated with depressive symptoms controlling for participants' demographics, socioeconomic status, and health status. After adding perceived environment variables in the model, the relationship between cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms became nonsignificant, while structural social capital remained became a significant factor (β = -.168, p <.01). Satisfaction with health care was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among those with poor SRH (β = -.272, p <.01), whereas satisfaction with security and transportation were strongly associated with depressive symptoms among those with good SRH (security: β = -.148, p <.01; transportation: β = -.174, p <.01). Conclusions: Study findings highlighted the importance of social capital and neighborhood environment as potential protective factors of depressive symptoms in later life. Policy and intervention implications were also discussed.