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

Psychological well-being of Chinese Immigrant adult-child caregivers: how do filial expectation, self-rated filial performance, and filial discrepancy matter?

Liu, J., Wu, B., & Dong, X. (2020). Aging and Mental Health, 24(3), 489-496. 10.1080/13607863.2018.1544210
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Given the importance of ethnic culture in family caregiving and recent Chinese immigrant population growth, this study explored effects of multiple filial piety traits—filial expectation, self-rated filial performance, and filial discrepancy—on psychological well-being of Chinese immigrants who care for older parents (adult-child caregivers) in the United States. Methods: This study used cross-sectional data from 393 Chinese immigrant adult-child caregivers in the Greater Chicago area from the 2012–2014 Piety study. Multivariate negative binomial and linear regression analyses tested effects of filial expectation, self-rated filial performance, overall filial discrepancy, and discrepancies in six filial domains (respect, bringing happiness, care, greeting, obedience, and financial support) on psychological well-being indicators: depressive symptoms and stress. Results: Adult-child caregivers reported high filial expectation and self-rated performance, and expectation was higher than performance. High filial expectation and self-rated performance were significantly associated with better psychological well-being; Overall filial discrepancy and two emotional-support domain discrepancies (respect, greeting) were associated with poor psychological well-being. Conclusions: Findings suggest that filial expectation, self-rated filial performance, and filial discrepancy are important in shaping Chinese adult-child caregivers’ psychological well-being. Researchers and practitioners should incorporate these aspects of filial piety in future research and intervention development for this population.

Resident Challenges With Pain and Functional Limitations in Chinese Residential Care Facilities

Song, Y., Anderson, R. A., Wu, B., Scales, K., McConnell, E., Leung, A. Y., & Corazzini, K. N. (2020). Gerontologist, 60(1), 89-100. 10.1093/geront/gny154
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pain and functional limitations can severely impede older adults' quality of life. In Chinese residential care facilities, limited research suggests that residents potentially have significant unmet care needs with pain and related functional limitations. Therefore, we aimed to explore residents' challenges and self-management strategies in these two areas. This knowledge is essential to developing care interventions to improve quality of care and quality of life in Chinese residential care facilities. Research Design and Methods: We conducted semi-structured open-ended interviews with residents (n = 21) in two facilities in eastern and central China and assessed their pain and functional status using self-report measures from Minimum Data Set 3.0. We applied descriptive statistics to the self-reported data and analyzed the interview data using thematic analysis by drawing on the Adaptive Leadership Framework. This framework proposes that individuals living with chronic conditions need to engage in work to address their complex health concerns and that they need support from the environment to facilitate problem-solving. Results: Residents described significant unmet care needs with pain and functional limitations. To address these care needs, they adopted a substantial number of self-management strategies. While doing so, they faced significant barriers, including service gaps and inadequate direct care. Discussion and Implications: The findings suggest further research to explore long-term care policy change that is needed to provide comprehensive health and medical services and adequate direct care in these facilities. The importance of establishing various types of long-term care facilities is also highlighted.

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the context of COVID-19: a global challenge

Wu, B. (2020). Global Health Research and Policy, 5, 27. 10.1186/s41256-020-00154-3
Abstract
Abstract
We are experiencing a historical moment with an unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 will have a long-term and profound impact on older adults' health and well-being. Social isolation and loneliness are likely to be one of the most affected health outcomes. Social isolation and loneliness are major risk factors that have been linked with poor physical and mental health status. This paper discusses several approaches that may address the issues of social isolation and loneliness. These approaches include promoting social connection as public health messaging, mobilizing the resources from family members, community-based networks and resources, developing innovative technology-based interventions to improve social connections, and engaging the health care system to begin the process of developing methods to identify social isolation and loneliness in health care settings.

Social Participation and Self-Perception of Being Old in China

Liu, H., Wu, B., & Feng, Z. (2020). International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 91(3), 219-234. 10.1177/0091415019875456
Abstract
Abstract
Longer life expectancy means that chronological age is no longer a useful indicator of defining old age. This study included 6,452 participants aged 60 years and older from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey to investigate the relationships between different types of social participation and self-perception of being old in China. Ordinary least square regression was applied. Results show that respondents who engaged in political participation or community participation reported higher self-perception of being old than those who did not engage in these social participations. Respondents who provided more care for grandchildren reported self-perception of being old at younger age. In the context of delaying retirement in China, obligatory participation was associated with an earlier start of the self-perception of being old. Elimination of mandatory retirement and separating that from pension eligibility may be good choices for promoting active aging.

Trends of children being given advice for dental checkups and having a dental visit in the United States: 2001–2016

Luo, H., I. Garcia, R., Moss, M. E., Bell, R. A., Wright, W., & Wu, B. (2020). Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 80(2), 123-131. 10.1111/jphd.12356
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to describe trends of children being given dental checkup advice by primary care providers (PCPs) and having dental visits and to assess factors associated with being given dental checkup advice and having a dental visit. Methods: Data were from the annual, cross-sectional Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2001 to 2016. The sample included 126,773 children ages 2–17 years. We used predictive margins to estimate the probability of being given dental checkup advice and having a dental visit. We examined time trends of the proportion of children being given dental checkup advice from PCPs, as well as trends in the proportion of children having a dental visit from 2001 to 2016. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between being given dental checkup advice and having a dental visit. Results: Overall, the proportion of children being given dental checkup advice increased from 31.4% in 2001 to 51.8% in 2016 (Trend P < 0.001). No significant increasing trend was found for having a dental visit among those being given dental checkup advice (Trend P > 0.05). Children being given dental checkup advice were more likely to have a dental visit (AOR = 1.54, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although there was an increase in the proportion of children being given advice to have dental checkups by PCPs from 2001 to 2016, there was no significant increase in having a dental visit among children being given the advice. More research is needed to better understand how dental care advice from a PCP can effectively motivate and facilitate dental care for children.

Uncovering the Devaluation of Nursing Home Staff During COVID-19: Are We Fuelling the Next Health Care Crisis?

McGilton, K. S., Escrig-Pinol, A., Gordon, A., Chu, C. H., Zúñiga, F., Sanchez, M. G., Boscart, V., Meyer, J., Corazzini, K. N., Jacinto, A. F., Spilsbury, K., Backman, A., Scales, K., Fagertun, A., Wu, B., Edvardsson, D., Lepore, M. J., Leung, A. Y., Siegel, E. O., … Bowers, B. (2020). Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(7), 962-965. 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.06.010

“I’ve been always strong to conquer any suffering:” challenges and resilience of Chinese American dementia caregivers in a life course perspective

Liu, J., Lou, Y., Wu, B., & Mui, A. C. Y. S. (2020). Aging and Mental Health, 25(9), 1-9. 10.1080/13607863.2020.1793900
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the resilience of a growing but largely underserved and understudied population—Chinese American dementia caregivers, whose experience is embedded in their development throughout the life span, process of migration, and sociocultural contexts. Method: Narrative data were collected from in-depth interviews with 27 Chinese caregivers in New York City. Based on the hybrid grounded theory model, a three-steps coding procedure was implemented to identify themes emerged from the data. Results: 16 themes emerged from the data and fit two categories, challenge and resilience, in each of the four principles—time and place, timing in lives, linked lives, and agency—of the developmental life course perspective. Physical and emotional exhaustion is the challenge theme that was the most frequently mentioned followed by limited knowledge of dementia, navigating the U.S. health care system, and limited time for self-development. Three aspects of resilience—sense of mastery, access to formal and informal support, and commitment to care—were salient among the Chinese American caregivers. Conclusion: This study shed important light on the multifaceted challenges and resilience of Chinese American caregivers. The findings indicate the necessity of developing culturally meaningful services for immigrant caregivers to address their complex challenges and improve their multifaceted resilience.

Advance Directive Preferences Among Terminally Ill Older Patients and Its Facilitators and Barriers in China: A Scoping Review

Liao, J., Wu, B., Ni, P., & Mao, J. (2019). Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 20(11), 1356-1361.e2. 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.05.013
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: To explore advance directive (AD) preferences and the facilitators and barriers of promoting ADs among terminally ill older patients in China. Design: A scoping review was used to identify key themes in ADs. Setting and participants: Studies from 2007 to 2017 were identified from the MEDLINE and Cochrane libraries. Articles concerning important components of ADs in terminally ill older patients were selected. Measures: Eligible articles concerning important components of ADs in terminally ill older patients were thematically synthesized. Later, implementation evidence was identified from core components. Results: We used 13 articles and identified key components in ADs: (1) Chinese cultural characteristics; (2) policy support; (3) advance care planning (ACP); (4) hospice-palliative care (HPC); (5) prognosis disclosure and life-sustaining treatment preference; (6) knowledge about ADs for patients and their families; (7) the prevalence of ADs; (8) implementation of ADs; (9) staff experience and training; and (10) effective communication between patients, their families, and health care professionals. Facilitators in implementing ADs included previous comfort-oriented end-of-life care experience of patients or their families, and the enactment of relevant policy. Barriers included traditional Chinese cultural beliefs; lack of policy; lack of knowledge of ADs, ACP, and HPC; and poor communication between physicians, patients, and family members. Conclusions/Implications: Chinese patients still showed positive preferences toward ADs. The implementation of ADs could be promoted through public education about ADs, the learning of ACP and HPC, and relevant policy development in China.

Advancing Long-Term Care Science Through Using Common Data Elements: Candidate Measures for Care Outcomes of Personhood, Well-Being, and Quality of Life

Edvardsson, D., Rebecca, B., Corneliusson, L., Anderson, R. A., Anna, B., Boas, P. V., Corazzini, K., Gordon, A. L., Hanratty, B., Jacinto, A., Lepore, M. J., Leung, A. Y., McGilton, K. S., Meyer, J. E., Schols, J. M., Schwartz, L., Shepherd, V., Skoldunger, A., Thompson, R., … Zuniga, F. (2019). Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 5. 10.1177/2333721419842672
Abstract
Abstract
To support the development of internationally comparable common data elements (CDEs) that can be used to measure essential aspects of long-term care (LTC) across low-, middle-, and high-income countries, a group of researchers in medicine, nursing, behavioral, and social sciences from 21 different countries have joined forces and launched the Worldwide Elements to Harmonize Research in LTC Living Environments (WE-THRIVE) initiative. This initiative aims to develop a common data infrastructure for international use across the domains of organizational context, workforce and staffing, person-centered care, and care outcomes, as these are critical to LTC quality, experiences, and outcomes. This article reports measurement recommendations for the care outcomes domain, focusing on previously prioritized care outcomes concepts of well-being, quality of life (QoL), and personhood for residents in LTC. Through literature review and expert ranking, we recommend nine measures of well-being, QoL, and personhood, as a basis for developing CDEs for long-term care outcomes across countries. Data in LTC have often included deficit-oriented measures; while important, reductions do not necessarily mean that residents are concurrently experiencing well-being. Enhancing measurement efforts with the inclusion of these positive LTC outcomes across countries would facilitate international LTC research and align with global shifts toward healthy aging and person-centered LTC models.

Age and regional disparity in HIV education among migrants in China: Migrants population dynamic monitoring survey, 2014-2015

Zhu, Z., Guo, M., Petrovsky, D. V., Dong, T., Hu, Y., & Wu, B. (2019). International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1). 10.1186/s12939-019-0999-x
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: A lack of education among migrants remains an important but overlooked issue that indirectly contributes to HIV transmission. It is necessary to know who has received HIV education and who has a lower probability of being educated among migrants across different regions and age groups in China. Methods: We used pooled data from the 2014 and 2015 Migrants Population Dynamic Monitoring Survey. The study population included 406,937 Chinese migrants. Participants were asked whether they had received any HIV education after migrating to the destination city. Regions were categorized into east-coast, central, northwest, southwest, west-Tibet, west-Uyghur, and northeast regions. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was conducted to investigate the relationships between the independent variables and HIV education. Results: Of 406,937 participants, half (50.6%) had reported receiving HIV education. Individuals in the west-Uyghur region had the highest proportion of receiving HIV education (73.0%), followed by the southwest region (67.9%) and the west-Tibet region (54.8%). Methods of receiving HIV education varied among different age groups. Individuals who were in a region with a higher prevalence of HIV, a lower density of medical professionals, and a higher density of migrants were more likely to receive HIV education. Conclusions: The study showed significant regional disparities among migrants in China. More HIV resources need to be allocated to regions with large-scale floating populations, such as the east-coast region. Providing multiple options, including both new and traditional media, for both young and elderly migrants is essential. HIV education should be tailored to the age of migrants with low educational and income levels.