HDFS 210Ethnicity, Health and Aging

3 credits · Human Development and Family Studies · Penn State

The study of health and aging among persons from diverse race populations is not only the study of how people of different racial groups age, but also the contexts in which these populations function physically, psychologically, and socially. This course will allow students to develop a better understanding of the aging process across racial/ethnic populations and how differences in adult and aging development can be affected by social structures. Furthermore, the course is designed to encourage students to transfer learned material into modifying existing or developing new practical solutions to reduce aging and health disparities. This course will cover multiple areas, such as: (1) Overview of the concepts regarding race, ethnicity, and culture; (2) Aging demographics; (3) Research methods in aging and racially diverse populations; (4) Health Disparities (e.g., physical and mental health); (5) Family, work, and retirement; (6) Aging in neighborhoods; (7) Policy.