Current Research

Black Women’s Health Study

The Black Women’s Health Study is the largest follow-up study of the health of Black women yet conducted. The purpose is to identify and evaluate causes and preventives of cancers and other serious illnesses in Black women. In 1995, 59,000 Black women from across the United States enrolled in the study by completing extensive postal questionnaires. They have provided updated information on exposures and diseases by mail or online questionnaire every two years since then. Among the many diseases being studied are breast cancer, other cancers, type 2 diabetes, obesity, uterine fibroids, premature birth, stroke, coronary heart disease, sarcoidosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Exposures of interest include smoking, diet, physical activity, endogenous and exogenous hormones, psychosocial stress, neighborhood environment, environmental toxins, and germline genetics.

Infant Care Practice Studies

For over 30 years, this research program has been focused on the epidemiology and physiology of the sudden infant death syndrome. Initial NIH grants supported investigations of home infant monitoring, surveys on infant sleep position practices, attitudes toward safe infant sleep positioning, and social medial risk-reduction training for infant care practices. Current research is focused on reducing racial disparities in infant mortality through online social networks to promote safe infant care practices, and social media and risk-reduction training for preterm infant care practices.

Aging and Brain Health in the Strong Heart Study

Research on brain aging and cognition in the Strong Heart Study is led by Slone faculty in a multi-institutional, collaborative network research model which prioritizes Tribal and community partnerships throughout the research process. These research programs initially focused on vascular and Alzheimer’s dementia risk, but have expanded to include strength-based exposures and outcomes. Currently funded programs cover cognitive and psychological resilience related to community, culture, identity, and bilingualism; cognitive risk from stress, trauma, substance use, environmental toxicants, and COVID-19; and quantitative assessment methodologies using imaging, blood, and cognitive biometrics.

Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias in the Framingham Heart Study

Research on Alzheimer’s disease in the Framingham Heart Study is being conducted across the many schools and departments of Boston University. Grants awarded to Slone faculty support the assessment of cognitive heterogeneity in individuals with high Alzheimer’s Disease risk and the effects of COVID-19 on the clinical care of people with the disease. In addition, there is support for expanding the pipeline to graduate research in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.