Bei Wu

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, New York Academy of Medicine

Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

Fellow, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

Exploring the reciprocal relationship between cognitive function and edentulism among middle-aged and older adults in China

Lu, N., Wu, B., & Pei, Y. (2021). In Age and Ageing (Vols. 50, Issues 3, pp. 809-814). 10.1093/ageing/afaa173

Abstract

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Previous longitudinal studies have found that cognitive function affected oral health, and vice versa. However, research is lacking on the reciprocal relationships between cognitive function and edentulism simultaneously, especially in developing countries. The present study aimed to examine the reciprocal relationship between cognitive function and edentulism among middle-aged and older adults in China. METHODS: Data were derived from the 2011 and 2015 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The sample included 14,038 respondents aged 45 or older. A two-wave cross-lagged analysis was adopted to test the hypothesized model. RESULTS: Among respondents aged 45-59, baseline cognitive function was associated with subsequent edentulism [b = -0.017, standard deviation (SD) = 0.006, P < 0.01]. In contrast, baseline edentulism was not significantly associated with poorer cognitive function at the follow-up wave (b = -0.744, SD = 0.383, P > 0.05). However, among respondents aged 60 or older, baseline cognitive function was associated with subsequent edentulism (b = -0.017, SD = 0.005, P < 0.01), and baseline edentulism was also associated with follow-up lower levels of cognitive function (b = -0.419, SD = 0.143, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated the reciprocal relationships of cognitive function and edentulism. However, such relationships varied across age groups. This study demonstrates the importance of developing programs and services to promote both cognitive and oral health, especially for those in older age.

Gendered leisure time-use and its impact on cognitive function among older adults in rural China

Liu, H., Pei, Y., & Wu, B. (2021). In Ageing and Society (Vols. 42, Issues 11, pp. 2533-2555). 10.1017/S0144686X21000118

Abstract

Abstract

Increasing evidence has shown that an active, socially engaged lifestyle in leisure time might protect older adults against the decline of cognitive function. It remains unclear, however, which types of leisure activities are more beneficial to maintain cognitive function, and whether there are gender differences in the association between leisure activities and cognitive function. We used a two-wave of panel data from 1,018 older adults aged 60 and older in rural China to examine the lag effects of different types of leisure activities on cognitive functioning and to identify the gender differences in their impacts on cognition in rural China. Ordinary least-squares regression models showed that high physical activities were associated with better cognitive function. High intensity of cognitive activities and engaging in physical activities have a protective effect on cognitive function among older men rather than older women. Further, we found that cognitive activities had a stronger effect on cognitive function among older men than older women. It is important to consider gender-specific intervention in leisure activities to maintain cognitive function among older adults.

Health behaviors and self-reported oral health among centenarians in nanjing, china : A cross-sectional study

Xu, X., Zhao, Y., Gu, D., Pei, Y., & Wu, B. (2021). In International journal of environmental research and public health (Vols. 18, Issues 14). 10.3390/ijerph18147285

Abstract

Abstract

The role of health behaviors in oral health conditions in individuals of extremely old age remains understudied. This study included 185 participants aged 100 years or older from the Nanjing Centenarians Study (NCS) to examine the associations between health behaviors and oral health and investigate the potential moderating role of education and living arrangements in such relation-ships. The oral health status as an outcome included the self-reported oral health status and edentulous status. Health behavior variables included smoking, eating fruits, eating vegetables, participating in leisure activities, and practicing oral hygiene behaviors. Sociodemographic characteristics and health status were considered as confounders. Descriptive statistics, ordinal regression, and logistic regression models were used to address the research questions. Results showed that better oral health was reported by centenarians who were non-smokers, participated in more leisure activities, and practiced higher frequency of oral hygiene behaviors. Those who ate fruits daily and practiced more frequently oral hygiene behaviors were more likely to be dentate. The positive association of oral hygiene behaviors was stronger for centenarians who were formally educated and co-resided with family members. The results suggest that effective interventions should consider health behaviors and living arrangements in this growing population to improve their oral health status.

Immigration and Oral Health in Older Adults : An Integrative Approach

Wu, B., Wu, B., Mao, W., Qi, X., & Pei, Y. (2021). In Journal of dental research (Vols. 100, Issues 7, pp. 686-692). 10.1177/0022034521990649

Abstract

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an integrative framework on aging, immigration, and oral health. The methodology was a critical review that used immigration as a social determinant framework through which to evaluate its impact on the oral health of older immigrants. We reviewed recent empirical evidence on factors related to oral health in older immigrants. In a systematic search across multiple databases, we identified 12 eligible studies in this review. Among the eligible studies, most were conducted among East Asian immigrants (8 articles), followed by non-Hispanic White/European origin (2 articles), Mexican origins (1 article), and Iran and other Middle East regions (1 article). The research revealed knowledge gaps in the evidence base, including the dynamic relationship between acculturation and oral health, the role of environmental factors on oral health for immigrants, psychosocial stressors and their relationship with oral health, and oral health literacy, norms, and attitude to dental care utilization and oral hygiene practices. The development of the integrative framework suggests the pathways/mechanisms through which immigration exerts influences on oral health in later life. This provides opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to gain greater insights into the complex associations between immigration and oral health among older adults.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Social Isolation in Long-term Care Homes : Perspectives of Policies and Strategies from Six Countries

Chu, C. H., Wang, J., Fukui, C., Staudacher, S., A. Wachholz, P., & Wu, B. (2021). In Journal of Aging and Social Policy (Vols. 33, Issue 4-5, pp. 459-473). 10.1080/08959420.2021.1924346

Abstract

Abstract

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes is critical for the health of residents who live in these institutions. As a result, broad policies restricting visits to these facilities were put in place internationally. While well meaning, these policies have exacerbated the ongoing social isolation crisis present in long-term care homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This perspective highlights the dominant COVID-19 LTC policies from six countries, and proposes five strategies to address or mitigate social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic that can also be applied in a post-pandemic world.

The Impact of Long-Term Care Policy on the Percentage of Older Adults With Disabilities Cared for by Family Members in China : A System Dynamics Simulation

Peng, R., & Wu, B. (2021). In Research on Aging (Vols. 43, Issue 3-4, pp. 147-155). 10.1177/0164027520923567

Abstract

Abstract

This study examined the impact of current and future long-term care (LTC) policies on the family caregiving burden in China. System dynamics (SD) methodology was used to construct an LTC delivery system model that simulates the demand of LTC, living options, and LTC service use for disabled older adults. The model was based on three policy variables including the proportion of payment from LTC insurance, the growth rate of beds in LTC institutions, and the time to adjusting the capacity of community-based care. Results showed that the percentage of older adults with disabilities cared for by family members was projected to increase from 92.6% in 2015 to 97.8% in 2035, assuming no policy changes; under the mixed policy scenario, this percentage would reduce significantly to 63.8% in 2035. These findings illustrate that changes in LTC policy and delivery system have a significant impact on family care.

Improving Care for Older Adults in China : Development of Long-Term Care Policy and System

Wu, B., Cohen, M. A., Cong, Z., Kim, K., & Peng, C. (2021). In Research on Aging (Vols. 43, Issue 3-4, pp. 123-126). 10.1177/0164027521990829

Abstract

Abstract

This special issue covers several important topics related to long-term care (LTC) systems and policy development in China. It provides a good contextual background on the development of the LTC system in China as well as the needs and preferences of LTC from family and older adults’ perspectives. In addition, this issue covers the topic of evaluation of a recently developed long-term care nursing insurance and provides an example of family caregiving for persons with dementia within the Chinese context. The authors in this special issue also provided insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults’ life and LTC quality, and explored potential strategies to handle the challenges during and post-pandemic.

Living With Cognitive Impairment in China : Exploring Dyadic Experiences Through a Person-Centered Care Lens

Wang, J., Corazzini, K. N., McConnell, E. S., Ding, D., Xu, H., Wei, S., & Wu, B. (2021). In Research on Aging (Vols. 43, Issue 3-4, pp. 177-187). 10.1177/0164027520935597

Abstract

Abstract

China has experienced a substantial increase in the number of older adults with dementia and milder forms of cognitive impairment. Being spouses of Persons with cognitive impairment (PWCI) and living with them for several decades does not necessarily mean that it is easier for them to provide person-centered care and maintain a valued and healthy relationship. The current study explored how elements of PCC, as operationalized by the Senses Framework, operate or fail to operate in the dyadic experiences of PWCI and their spousal care partners within the socio-cultural context of China. Our findings suggest that PWCI and their spouses experience the six senses through the person-centeredness in their daily interactions with each other. It also indicated successes and challenges to being person-centered early in the disease and identified their unmet needs as well as barriers and facilitators to improve their well-being.

Longitudinal Association Between Hearing Loss, Vision Loss, Dual Sensory Loss, and Cognitive Decline

Ge, S., McConnell, E. S., Wu, B., Pan, W., Dong, X. Q., & Plassman, B. L. (2021). In Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Vols. 69, Issues 3, pp. 644-650). 10.1111/jgs.16933

Abstract

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To better understand the role of sensory loss as a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, this study examined cognitive decline in relation to single modality hearing or vision loss and dual sensory loss. DESIGN: Longitudinal secondary data analysis. SETTING: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its supplement: The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 73 and older (N = 295). MEASUREMENTS: Hearing loss was defined by an inability to hear sounds of 25 dB at frequencies between 0.5 and 4.0 kHz in either ear. Vision loss was defined as having corrected binocular vision worse than 20/40. Dual sensory loss was defined as having both hearing and vision loss. We used one time point of hearing and vision data objectively measured in ADAMS Wave C (June 2006–May 2008) and five waves of cognitive function data measured by the HRS version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status in HRS (2006–2014). Multilevel mixed models were used. RESULTS: Among the participants, 271 completed a hearing assessment and 120 had hearing loss; 292 completed a vision assessment and 115 had vision loss; 52 had dual sensory loss. Older adults with hearing loss had a significantly faster rate of cognitive decline as they aged compared to those with normal hearing (β = −0.16, P

Orofacial pain among Chinese older adults in the last year of life

Pei, Y., Qi, X., Chen, X., & Wu, B. (2021). In Gerodontology (Vols. 39, Issues 4, pp. 384-390). 10.1111/ger.12608

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To examine the prevalence of orofacial pain and associated factors in Chinese older adults at the end of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1646 participants (65 years or older) in their last year of life from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We used the 6-month prevalence questions to measure two specific orofacial pain symptoms: toothache, and jaw or facial pain. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors, such as socioeconomic status, health behaviours and chronic diseases, that were associated with these two orofacial pain symptoms in the last year of life. Results: The 6-month prevalence estimates for toothache and jaw pain or facial pain for older adults in the last year of life were 14.1% and 4.5% respectively. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with lower odds of toothache and jaw pain or facial pain. Smoking was associated with high odds of toothache. Participants who brushed their teeth at least once a day were more likely to have toothache and jaw or facial pain than those who did not. Having any chronic conditions was associated with higher odds of toothache and jaw or facial pain. Older adults who had at least one tooth were more likely to have jaw or facial pain than those without any teeth. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of Chinese older adults in their last year of life reported toothache and/or jaw pain or facial pain. These findings suggest that appropriate measures need to be taken to address the oral health needs in these vulnerable individuals, especially those of low socioeconomic status and chronic conditions.