NJHealth Study

Rutgers instructor Mara Sheftel recently shared her research using NJHealth Study data at the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center symposium! The study explored patterns of social disconnection and how they may contribute to cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia. 🧠 🩺🔬

Where in NJ are our research assistants today? 📍Parsippany, Morris County!

Our researchers can meet study participants at local locations, such as the Parsippany Library, to support them as they complete study activities.

NJHealth Study research assistants are out and about around the Garden State! Even in the snow ❄ One of our RA's recently helped a study participant complete study activities at the Barnegat branch of the Ocean County Library. 📖📚

Our newest research preprint reveals that education doesn't stop in young adulthood, and non-formal learning later in life may be tied to healthier aging.

Using NJHealth data, Rutgers researchers found:

- 1 in 3 adults reach their highest educational degree after age 30

- Non‑formal learning, like structured courses outside of school or work, is linked to beneficial plasma protein profiles associated with healthier aging.

Structured adult learning outside school or job associates with improved plasma markers of age Background: Peak educational attainment is linked to early life general cognitive abilities, mid-life socioeconomic status, and late-life dementia risks. Yet, it is difficult to study its mechanisms acting across decades of life given diverse paths towards peak attainment and lifelong learning oppor...

➡ Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, one of the NJHealth Study's Community Advisory Board members, comments on the importance of our research.

"As a proud Community Advisory Member for the Rutgers New Jersey Health Study — the largest and most inclusive health research effort ever conducted in our state — I’m especially committed to ensuring Jamaican voices and those of other first- and second-generation immigrants are heard and included in this vital research.

NJ is one of the most diverse states, yet health disparities remain. This study is asking why — and digging into the real-life factors like immigration status, racism, family structure, and access to care that shape our health."

📸 📍Another NJHealth Study sighting in the field!

Our research assistant Melissa recently headed to the Township of Marlboro library in Monmouth County, NJ to help a participant complete additional research study activities. ❄️ 🤝 Monmouth County Library System

Already took the NJHealth Study survey? Great news! You may be eligible to take part in additional study activities and earn more gift cards for your time.

At our New Brunswick location, you can:
✅ Play fun memory and thinking games (cognitive activities)
✅ Provide a saliva sample
✅ Have your blood pressure, body fat, and muscle measured by a nurse practitioner
✅ Provide a small blood sample

📚 At local libraries, you can:
✅ Play memory and thinking games
✅ Provide a saliva sample

Your participation helps improve health in New Jersey and supports important research! Reach out to us to schedule your appointment today.

You may be eligible to participate in the NJHealth Study!

Reach out to us or visit our website to learn more: https://njhealthstudy.rutgers.edu/en/study-participation

From our team at the NJHealth Study, happy holidays to you and your families! Best wishes for a safe and happy new year ahead. ❄

Check out our winter NJHealth Highlights newsletter ⛄ sharing all the latest updates on the study including:
➤ volunteer survey progress
➤ spotlights on participants & researchers
➤ optional activities
➤ new data & more!

Read here: https://mailchi.mp/b89036e23d05/njhealth-study-highlights-12771375