The Purdue College of Pharmacy recognizes outstanding research and scholarship generated by our faculty. In this article, we highlight Omolola Adeoye-Olatunde, for the recent publication, “Social Determinants of Health and Medication Adherence in Older Adults with Prevalent Chronic Conditions in the United States: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2018,” which can be read in Pharmacy.
Older adults in the United States often face challenges that affect how they take medications for chronic conditions, according to new research led by Purdue University College of Pharmacy faculty member Omolola Adeoye-Olatunde.
The study, published in Pharmacy, analyzed national health data from more than 5,500 adults aged 65 and older to examine how social determinants of health, such as income, food access, and healthcare availability, affect medication adherence.
Researchers found that older adults with a regular place of care, such as a doctor’s office or clinic, were up to four times more likely to take their medications properly. The study also identified complex patterns related to alcohol use and highlighted additional barriers tied to disability, race or ethnicity, income level, and access to healthy meals, said Adeoye-Olatunde, who is the Darr-Chaney Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and director of community engagement and evaluation with Purdue’s Center for Health Excellence, Quality and Innovation.
“This research shows that taking medicine properly isn’t just about getting a prescription,” she said. “It also depends on everyday life factors, like having food, support, and a place to get care. As pharmacists and public health leaders, we can help by understanding and addressing these challenges and making it easier for older adults to stay healthy.”
The findings point to opportunities for public health and pharmacy-based strategies to improve outcomes, particularly in communities with limited access to care. Adeoye-Olatunde and her collaborators plan to expand the research by examining how social challenges vary by specific health conditions and by testing community- and pharmacy-based solutions. Potential strategies include adding support from public health professionals, such as community health workers who share similar life experiences, to help older adults manage medications effectively.
Co-authors on the study are Tessa J. Hastings, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy; Michelle L. Bakely, University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy; LaKeisha Boyd, Indiana University School of Medicine and Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health; Azeez B. Aina, Purdue University College of Pharmacy; and Fatimah Sherbeny, Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Paper
Social Determinants of Health and Medication Adherence in Older Adults with Prevalent Chronic Conditions in the United States: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2018
Pharmacy
DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13010020
