Abstract
Living Arrangements, Inflammation, and Mortality Among Older Adults in Brazil
Flavia Andrade, PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
This project will investigate the associations between living arrangements, inflammation, and mortality among older adults in Brazil. Using ELSI-Brazil data, which includes a wide range of biomarkers, this research aims to (1) examine differences in inflammation levels across living arrangements, (2) assess the impact of living arrangements on mortality, and (3) explore whether inflammation mediates the relationship between living arrangements and mortality. This work will fill critical gaps in understanding the social determinants of health in Brazil’s aging population, informing future interventions and policies to support healthy aging. This proposal innovates by examining the impact of more complex family structures, recognizing the importance of understanding how different living arrangements may uniquely buffer stress and affect mortality, especially in the evolving family dynamics of middle-income countries like Brazil.