Center for Health in Cognitive Aging – Joining Population Science and Health Promotion, housed at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). CHECA strives to enhance research and mentoring infrastructure to create and sustain a broad and welcoming aging research community in social and behavioral sciences to advance research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

  • Build Build behavioral and social research infrastructure .

  • Enrich Broaden the AD/ADRD research workforce through mentorship and training for early-career scientists.

  • Support Support pilot research.

Thematic focus

  • Behavioral and social pathways Behavioral and social pathways to Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) in the context of dementia care.

  • Multiple levels Multiple levels, from biobehavioral and psychological factors to social structures (e.g., health systems, social norms).

Supporting scientists' pilot projects

  • Advance understanding Advance our understanding of environmental, sociocultural, and behavioral factors contributing to disparities in AD/ADRD.

  • Test interventions Develop or test health-promoting interventions (physical activity programs, technologies, social support from communities or healthcare providers).

  • Intersectional approaches Cross-fertilize population science and health promotion approaches to address challenges faced by adults aging with or at risk for AD/ADRD.