Cardiovascular Disparities among Bereaved Latinos and Non-Latino Whites and Factors that Facilitate Resilience: A Biobehavioral Approach

The loss of a spouse is one of life’s most stressful events that can put people at considerable risk for morbidity and mortality. This project aims to fill a gap in the literature by understanding how bereavement increases cardiovascular risk, detecting health disparities for Latinos, and identifying protective factors during this difficult life transition. This project uses a biobehavioral approach, a stress-coping model, a culturally sensitive framework, and innovative methods in psychoneuroimmunology to provide novel information about how bereavement increases cardiovascular disease risk. Results from this project will provide critical evidence to inform the development of culturally and contextually sensitive interventions aimed at reducing disease burden in a vulnerable population. The longitudinal mixed method design will provide valuable information to identify critical time points for intervention.

Funding:

NIH NHLBI (K01)

Phase:

Data Analysis