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

Edentulism, Dental Care Service Use, and Trajectories of Cognitive Functioning Among Older Adults

Han, S. H., Wu, B., & Burr, J. (2019). Journal of Aging and Health. 10.1177/0898264319851654

Efficacy of path-oriented psychological self-help interventions to improve mental health of empty-nest older adults in the Community of China

Wang, L. N., Tao, H., Wang, M., Yu, H. W., Su, H., & Wu, B. (2019). BMC Psychiatry, 19(1). 10.1186/s12888-019-2327-9
Abstract
Abstract
Background: China has the world's largest aging population and the number of empty-nest older adults is on the rise. In comparison to the aging population in general, empty-nest older adults have a lower level of subjective well-being and poorer mental health status due to a lack of emotional support from their children. The aim of this study is to conduct an empirical study to evaluate the efficacy of the 'Path-oriented Psychological Self-help Intervention' (P-oPSI) led by nurses on the mental health of empty-nest older adults in the community, to provide a scientific foundation for improving their quality of life. Methods: A Quasi-Experimental controlled intervention study was conducted from 2015 to 2017. A total of 76 empty-nest older adults from 2 districts were recruited using a convenience sampling and assigned to 2 groups based on their residential communities in the city of Chifeng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The wait list control group participated in a mental health lecture to gain knowledge and learn techniques of mental health promotion. The intervention group additionally received 1 month of training in a nurse-led 'P-oPSI' for a month. Both groups were followed-up for 3 months. Mental health status, coping styles, and psychological self-help ability of the participating empty nest older adults were assessed at the baseline, 1 month, and 3-months follow up, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance and a simple effect test were used to analyse the differences of the two groups. Results: The P-oPSI yielded a greater benefit for the mental health status, coping styles, and psychological self-help ability of the participants in the intervention group. Combined with a simple effect test, the scores of the mental health status, positive coping style, and psychological self-help ability of those in the intervention group significantly increased at 1 month after the baseline (F mental health status = 7.59, F positive coping style = 7.24, F psychological self-help ability = 7.07); and the sustainable effect of this program lasted for 3 months after the intervention (F mental health status = 13.24, F positive coping style = 10.42, F psychological self-help ability = 10.45), which reached statistical significance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The P-oPSI program significantly improved the level of mental health of empty-nest older adults in China. This intervention provides a new approach of self-management to improve mental health of older adults in community settings. Trial registration: chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR1900025552. Retrospectively registered 1 September 2019.

Factors associated with elevated consumption of alcohol in older adults-comparison between China and Norway: the CLHLS and the HUNT Study

Li, J., Wu, B., Tevik, K., Krokstad, S., & Helvik, A. (2019). BMJ Open, 9(8). 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028646
Abstract
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:The primary objective was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with elevated alcohol consumption among older adults 65 years and above in China and Norway. The secondary objective was to compare the prevalence and factors in the two countries.DESIGN:A secondary data analysis was conducted using two large cross-sectional studies (Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey data in 2008-2009 and Nord-Trøndelag Health Study data in 2006-2008).PARTICIPANTS:A total of 3223 (weighted) Chinese older adults and 6210 Norwegian older adults who responded drinking alcohol were included in the analysis.OUTCOME MEASURES:The dependent variable was elevated alcohol consumption, which was calculated as a ratio of those with elevated drinking among current drinkers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the dependent variable.RESULTS:The prevalence of elevated alcohol consumption among current drinkers for the Chinese and Norwegian samples were 78.3% (weighted) and 5.1%, respectively. Being male was related to a higher likelihood of elevated alcohol consumption in both Chinese and Norwegian samples (OR=2.729, 95% CI 2.124 to 3.506, OR=2.638, 95% CI 1.942 to 3.585). Being older, with higher levels of education and a living spouse or partner were less likely to have elevated drinking in the Chinese sample (OR=0.497, 95% CI 0.312 to 0.794, OR=0.411, 95% CI 0.260 to 0.649, OR=0.533, 95% CI 0.417 to 0.682, respectively). Among Norwegian older adults, a higher level of education was related to higher likelihood of elevated drinking (OR=1.503, 95% CI 1.092 to 2.069, OR=3.020, 95% CI 2.185 to 4.175). Living in rural areas and higher life satisfaction were related to lower likelihood of elevated drinking in the Norwegian sample (OR=0.739, 95% CI 0.554 to 0.984, OR=0.844, 95% CI 0.729 to 0.977, respectively).CONCLUSIONS:The elevated alcohol consumption patterns were strikingly different between China and Norway in regards to prevalence and socioeconomic distribution. To develop and implement culturally appropriate public health policies regarding alcohol in the future, public health policy makers and professionals need to be aware of the cultural differences and consider the demographic, social and economic characteristics of their intended population.

Gender differences in the association between migration and cognitive function among older adults in China and India

Xu, H., Vorderstrasse, A., Dupre, M. E., McConnell, E. S., Østbye, T., & Wu, B. (2019). Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 81, 31-38. doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2018.11.011
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine gender differences in the association between migration and cognitive function among adults in China and India. Methods: Data from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) study were used that included adults aged 50 + from China (N = 12,937) and India (N = 6244). Migration status included: urban residents, rural residents, urban-to-urban, rural-to-urban, rural-to-rural, and urban-to-rural migrants. Cognitive function was assessed by immediate and delayed recall tests, digit span tests, and verbal fluency test. Ordinary least square regression models were used to adjust for sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, health behaviors, and physical health status. Results: Controlling for multiple covariates, significant differences in cognitive function were found between men and women, and across migration groups. A consistent female disadvantage was found in China and India for cognitive function. Women who were rural residents or rural-to-rural migrants had the poorest cognitive function in both the Chinese and the Indian samples. Among males in China, rural residents had poorer cognitive function than urban residents, while urban-to-urban migrants had highest cognition scores; however, for male counterparts in India, rural-to-rural migrants had the poorest cognitive function. Conclusions: The results suggest that the association between migration and cognitive function differs by gender and country. In our study populations, major sociodemographic characteristics play a key role in accounting for the differences in cognitive function.

Health Service Use Among Chinese American Older Adults: Is There a Somatization Effect?

Jiang, L., Sun, F., Zhang, W., Wu, B., & Dong, X. (2019). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67, S584-S589. 10.1111/jgs.15734
Abstract
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Somatization of depressive symptoms among Chinese American older adults remains understudied. This study aimed to identify whether the relationship between depressive symptoms and use of health services (ie, doctor visits, hospital, and emergency department) could be due to pain and whether acculturation played a role in the relations among depressive symptoms, pain, and health service use. Design and Participants: Secondary data came from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago that surveyed 3159 Chinese community‐dwelling older adults in the greater Chicago area. The average age was 76.3 years (standard deviation = 8.4); 57.95% were female). Negative binominal models were used to identify the effects of depression and pain on each type of health service use, controlling for sociodemographics and health‐related factors (eg, chronic illness). Measurements: Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9; pain was assessed by self‐reported pain severity. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high acculturation groups based on acculturation scores.Results: Depressive symptoms and pain were positively related to health service use on the bivariate level. For groups with both low and high acculturation levels, depression and pain each independently predicted more health service use, whereas for the group with a moderate acculturation level, the effect of somatization was substantialized. Conclusion: Depression largely influenced health service use independently and partially through pain for older Chinese Americans. The somatization tended to be only salient for the moderate acculturation group, calling for more research attention to the complicated effect of acculturation.

Hospital readmission in persons with dementia: A systematic review

Ma, C., Bao, S., Dull, P., Wu, B., & Yu, F. (2019). International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 34(8), 1170-1184. 10.1002/gps.5140
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Hospital readmission in persons with dementia is becoming a critical safety and cost issue. The purpose of this review is to systematically assess published evidence on hospital readmissions in persons with dementia, including rate, clinical reasons, risk factors, and prevention programs. Methods: A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted. Literature were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase as well as hand searching. Quality of reviewed studies were assessed independently by reviewers using quality assessment checklists. Results: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. In persons with dementia, all-cause 30-day readmission rate was most frequently reported and ranged from 7% to 35%. Compared with those without dementia, persons with dementia had significantly higher rate of readmission. Reported risk factors of readmission varied across studies from patient sociodemographic and clinical status, history of health care utilization, to family caregivers. Reasons for readmission were rarely documented. Programs of home-based individualized care and interdisciplinary team care were used for preventing readmissions. Findings from some of the studies were limited by small sample sizes, single data source, and other methodologic flaws. Conclusions: Persons with dementia are at high risk for hospital readmission, but many of the readmissions are potentially preventable. Multiple strategies such like identifying high-risk individuals and the clinical reasons for index admission and readmission and implementing home-based individualized care by interdisciplinary team can reduce preventable hospital readmissions. Future studies should use multiple national data sources and advanced methodology to identify risk factors and clinical reasons of hospital readmissions.

Identifying symptom clusters among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in China: A network analysis

Zhu, Z., Hu, Y., Xing, W., Guo, M., Zhao, R., Han, S., & Wu, B. (2019). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 57(3), 617-626. 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.11.011
Abstract
Abstract
Context: There exists a research interest shift from separate symptoms to symptom clusters among people living with HIV (PLWH), which may provide a better understanding of symptom management in HIV/AIDS care. However, the symptom clusters among Chinese PLWH are still unknown. Objectives: The aim of our study was to identify symptom clusters and to examine demographic and health-related factors associated with these symptom clusters among PLWH prescribing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in China. Methods: From April to September 2017, we recruited 1116 participants through a convenience sampling in five HIV/AIDS designated facilities in the eastern, middle, and southwest regions of China. The principal component analysis was used to identify the symptom clusters. Association network was adopted to describe the relationships among symptoms and clusters. A multiple linear model was used to investigate the associated factors for the severity of overall symptoms and the prevalence of each symptom clusters. Results: Five symptom clusters were identified, including cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbance, wasting syndrome, dizziness/headache, and skin-muscle-joint disorder. Cognitive dysfunction was the most central symptom cluster. Variables including primary caregiver during ART treatment, years of HIV diagnosis and ART use, having comorbidity, self-rated health, and quality of life were associated with the prevalence of these five symptom clusters. Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is a need to evaluate symptom clusters for the improvement of symptom management among PLWH. It is particularly important to include assessment and treatment of cognitive symptoms as an essential component of the HIV care.

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Nurse-Led Community-Based Health Home for Ethnically Diverse Older Adults With Multimorbidity in the Adult Day Health Setting

Sadarangani, T., Missaelides, L., Eilertsen, E., Jaganathan, H., & Wu, B. (2019). Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, 20(3), 131-144. 10.1177/1527154419864301
Abstract
Abstract
Multimorbidity affects 75% of older adults (aged 65 years and older) in the United States and increases risk of poor medical outcomes, especially among the poor and underserved. The creation of a Medicaid option allowing states to establish health homes under the Affordable Care Act was intended to enhance coordinated care for Medicaid beneficiaries with multimorbidity. The Community-Based Health Home (CBHH) model uses the infrastructure of the Adult Day Health Center (ADHC) to serve as a health home to improve outcomes for medically complex vulnerable adults. Between 2017 and 2018, we used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach to (a) quantitatively examine changes in depression, fall risk, loneliness, cognitive function, nutritional risk, pain classification, and health care utilization over the course of 12 months in the program and (b) qualitatively explore the perspectives of key stakeholders (registered nurse navigators, participants, ADHC administrators, and caregivers) to identify the most effective components of CBHH. Using data integration techniques, we identified components of CBHH that were most likely driving outcomes. After 12 months in CBHH, our racially diverse sample (N = 126), experienced statistically significant (p < .05) reductions in loneliness, depression, nutritional risk, poorly controlled pain, and emergency department utilization. Stakeholders who were interviewed (n = 40) attributed positive changes to early clinical intervention by the registered nurse navigators, communication with providers across settings, and a focus on social determinants of health, in conjunction with social stimulation and engagement provided by the ADHC. CBHH positions the ADHC as the locus of an effective health home site and is associated with favorable results. CBHH also demonstrates the unique capacity and skill of registered nurses in integrating health and social services across community settings. Continued exploration of CBHH among diverse populations with multimorbidity is warranted.

Neighborhood Social Cohesion, Resilience, and Psychological Well-Being among Chinese Older Adults in Hawaii.

Zhang, W., Liu, S., Zhang, K., & Wu, B. (2019). The Gerontologist.
Abstract
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesA growing body of literature indicates that neighborhood social cohesion is generally associated with lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of life satisfaction (LS). However, very few studies have examined these relationships among Chinese older adults, the fastest growing aging population across all racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Focusing on this population, the current study aims to examine the associations of neighborhood cohesion with psychological distress and LS as well as the mediating role of resilience and the moderating role of birth place in the associations.Research Design and MethodsOrdinary least squares regressions were applied to analyze data collected among 430 Chinese older adults aged 55 and older residing in Honolulu, Hawai’i.ResultsResults show that neighborhood social cohesion was positively associated with lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of LS for the whole sample. The association between social cohesion and psychological distress was moderated by birth place such that the protecting effects of neighborhood cohesion on distress were only salient for the U.S.-born but not for the foreign-born. Moreover, the mediating role of resilience was identified: It contributed to more than 60% of the association between social cohesion and psychological distress, and more than 22% of the association between social cohesion and LS.Discussion and ImplicationsOur findings indicate the importance of a cohesive social environment and resilience in shaping psychological well-being and quality of life for older Chinese adults, the U.S.-born in particular, living in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Neighborhood-Based Social Capital and Cognitive Function among Older Adults in Five Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE).

Jiang, N., Wu, B., Lu, N., & Dong, T. (2019). International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 10.1002/gps.5239
Abstract
Abstract
ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate which neighborhood‐based social capital components are associated with a higher level of cognitive function in LMICs.MethodsThis international population‐based study used cross‐sectional survey data from the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), a study of adults aged 50 years or older in China, Ghana, India, the Russian Federation, and South Africa from 2007 through 2010 (N=29,528). Associations between neighborhood‐based social capital indicators (trust in neighbors, perceived neighborhood safety, and community participation) and cognitive function were examined using ordinary least squares regressions and random‐effects meta‐analyses.ResultsResults of the meta‐analyses of within‐country effects indicated that trust in neighbors were positively associated with cognitive function across India, Russia, and Ghana, but negatively associated in South Africa (β = ‐0.041, SE = .013, p < .01) and no effect in China (p >.05). The significant effect of perceived neighborhood safety was only found in South Africa (β = 0.051, SE = .007, p < .001) and China (β = 0.030, SE = .005, p < .001). Community participation approached a null effect in South Africa (p > .05).DiscussionDifferent indicators of neighborhood‐based social capital, which are well‐established protective resources for cognitive function, may have varied relationships with cognitive function cross‐nationally. This finding provides a better understanding of the mechanisms by which neighborhood social capital may contribute to better cognitive function in LMICs than high‐income countries, potentially due to differences in neighborhood environments, health systems, and availability of public resources.