Hector M. González, PhD
hmgonzalez@med.wayne.edu

Hector M. González, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Gerontology and the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University. He is a Faculty Associate at the University of Michigan, Institute of Social Research, Research Center for Group Dynamics, Program for Research on Black Americans, and the Latina/o Studies Program. He is clinically trained as a neuropsychologist. Dr. González joined the Wayne State faculty from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology.

Research Objectives and Interests

Dr. González’ research interests are in the areas of neuroepidemiology, psychiatric epidemiology and health services. His research is focused on identifying modifiable factors associated with improving Latino health and healthcare. He has written on the health of older Mexican Americans and the Latino Health Paradox, and his scholarly writing is reshaping current understanding of healthcare inequalities among Latinos. Dr. González is PI of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Neurocognitive Reading Center, which is funded by the National Heart Lung Blood Institute. He is also funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to examine late-life depression in the United States. He is member of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force to revise the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Change and the Committee on Socioeconomic Status.

Areas of Expertise

Neuropsychology,  neuroepidemiology and psychiatric epidemiology.

Education

Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico – Psychology, 1982

Doctor of Philosophy, California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego – Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology, 1998

Post-doctoral Fellow, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Neurology Department and the Center for Neuroscience - Clinical/Research Neuropsychology, 1999

Professional Memberships

• American Heart Association
• American Stroke Association
• American Psychological Association
• International Neuropsychological Society
• Hispanic Neuropsychological Society
• Gerontological Society of America

Professional Service

• Center for Scientific Review, Behavioral Genetics and Epidemiology Study Section
• Special Panel on Neuropsychological Assessment of Minorities, National Institute on Aging
• American Psychological Association, Dementia Task Force
• American Psychological Association, Committee on Socioeconomic Status
• Faculty Director of the Latin American and Native American Medical Association
• Faculty Director of Amigos Médicos
  
  

Editorial Board

Journal of Aging and Health

Journal Reviewer

American Journal of Public Health
Annals of Internal Medicine
New England Journal of Medicine
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

Grants

Current Research Support

R01 MH084994 González (PI)                        07/15/09 - 05/31/2012                        
NIH/NIMH
Epidemiology of late-life depression and ethnicity research study (ELLDERS).
The purpose of this study is to estimate the distribution of late-life depression and characterize depression subtypes among ethnic/racial groups in the United States.
Role: PI

N01 HC 65233 González (PI)                          04/01/11 – 02/28/13               
NIH/NHLBI (Contract)
Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: Neurocognitive Reading Center
This purpose of this multi-center, epidemiologic study in Hispanic/Latino populations (N=16,000) is to determine the role of acculturation in the prevalence and development of disease, and to identify risk factors playing a protective or harmful role in Hispanics/Latinos. The Reading Center is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the quality of neuropsychological data, preparing reports and generate scientific reports.
Role: PI

P30 AG 15281 (PI: Jackson)                                        9/30/97 - 6/30/12
Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, Resource Center for Minority Aging.
The purpose is to build and maintain research infrastructures for mentoring new minority researchers, enhancing the diversity of future social and behavioral science aging researchers, and improving current, and developing new, strategies for recruiting and retaining older minority participants in health related research among the growing diverse elderly populations.
Role: Investigator core faculty

Research Consultant

AG 10939 (PI: Markides)                                   4/30/09-present
Longitudinal Study of Mexican American Elderly Health

MH 80067 (PI: Hinton)                                      5/30/09-present
Reducing Disparities in Depression Care for Ethnically Diverse Older Men

Past Research Support

MH 067726 (PI: González)                              4/1/03-3/31/09                                     $834,520
Vascular Depression and Function in Older Latinos.
The purpose of this Mentored Scientist Career Development Award was to examine cognitive and functional changes in older Latinos while developing research skills and knowledge in epidemiology.
Role: PI

AG 15281 (PI: Jackson)                                   9/30/01-8/31/02
Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, Resource Center for Minority Aging.
This purpose of this Pilot grant was to examine depressive symptoms in older Latinos.
Role: PI of Pilot award

AG008671 (PI: Gilman)                                  8/31/01-7/31/02
Estudio de los Abuelos de Detroit
The purpose of this Administrative Supplement pilot study of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center was to examine the functional status of older Latinos in the Detroit area.
Role: Co-Investigator

AG 12975 (PI: Haan)                                       6/15/03-6/30/09                                   $8.3 million
NIH/NIA
Epidemiology of Functional Status in Elderly Hispanics (Renewal)
The purpose of this study was to estimate dementia prevalence and to identify pathways and modifying factors that influence the occurrence of dementia in this unique cohort.
Role: Co-Investigator

DK 60753 (PI: Haan)                                      3/15/02-2/28/06                                    $1.42 million
NIH/NIDDK
Diabetes in Older Latinos, Stress and Brain Changes
The purpose of this substudy of the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging was to examine neuroendocrine and cognitive changes in older Latinos.
Role: Co-Investigator

AG 12975 (PI: Haan)                                         5/31/99-4/30/03
NIH/NIA
Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement to Parent Grant: Epidemiology of Functional Status in Elderly Hispanics
The purpose of this Minority Investigator Research Supplement (currently referred to as Diversity Supplement) was to provide full salary and research support and training on conducting, analyzing, and interpreting large epidemiologic data from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging.
Role: Awardee

Recent Publications

González, H.M., Tarraf, W.,* Whitfield, K.E., Gallo, J.J. (2012, in press) The prevalence and epidemiology of vascular depression in the United States. Journal of Psychiatric Research.

González, H.M., Haan, M.N. Tarraf, W.* (2011) Metabolic syndrome biomarkers, acculturation and  the health of older Mexican Americans. (Invited) Journal of Aging and Health; Oct;23(7):1101-15.

Tarraf, W.,*  Miranda, P.Y.,* González, H.M. (2012, in press) Expenditures among Immigrant Groups in the U.S: Trends Analysis from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (2000-2008). Medical Care.

Miranda, P.Y.,* Tarraf, W.,* González, P., Johnson-Jennings, M.D.*, González, H.M. (2012) Breast cancer screening trends in the United States and ethnicity. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention.

González, H.M., Vega, W.A., Williams, DR, *Tarraf, W., West, B.T., Neighbors, H.W. (2010) Depression care in the United States: Too little for too few. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(1):37-46

González, H.M., Vega, W.A., Rodríguez, M., *Tarraf, W., Sribney, W. (2009, Invited manuscript) Diabetes Awareness and Knowledge Among Latinos: Does a Usual Source for Health Care Matter? Journal of General Internal Medicine Nov;24 Suppl 3:528-33.

González, H.M., Croghan, T., West, B., Williams, D., Nesse, R, Tarraf, W., Taylor, R., Hinton, L., Neighbors, H., Jackson, J. (2008) Antidepressant use by Blacks and Whites in the United States. Psychiatric Services, Oct 2008;59(10):1131-1138.

González, H.M. Ceballos, M. *Bowen, M.E., *Tarraf, W., Vega, W.A. (2009). The Health of Older Mexican American in the Long Run. American Journal of Public Health, Oct;99(10):1879-85.

*Bowen, M.E. & González, H.M. (2010) Childhood socioeconomic position and disability in later life: nationally representative findings from the Health and Retirement Study. American Journal of Public Health, Apr 1;100 Suppl 1:S197-203.

González, H.M. Croghan, T.W., *Tarraf, W., West, B.T., Bowen, M.E., Cao, Z., Alegría, M. (2009) Antidepressant Use among Latinos in the United States. Depression and Anxiety, 26(7):674-81.

Williams, D.R., González, H.M., Neighbors, H., Nesse, R., Abelson, J.M., Sweetman, Jackson, J.S. (2007) Prevalence and Distribution of Major Depressive Disorder among African Americans, Caribbean Blacks and Non-Hispanic Whites Archives of General Psychiatry, 64, 305-315.

*Denotes former or current trainee