Karikari receives Aging and Public Health Rural and Environment Award from APHA

Grace Karikari, Ph.D., assistant professor in the SMHS Department of Indigenous Health, recently received the Rural and Environmental Research Award from the American Public Health Association (APHA) Aging & Public Health Section for her work titled “Caring for the Aging Population in Ghana: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Best Practices.”

The APHA Awards Ceremony was held on Nov. 3, 2025, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

According to Karikari, Ghana’s rapidly growing aging population presents increasing healthcare challenges, yet formal geriatric education for health professionals remains limited. While nursing and medical students receive some exposure to aging-related topics, little is known about how this training shapes their attitudes and willingness to care for older adults.

Karikari’s study examined disparities in geriatric education between medical and nursing students and explored how these differences influence their perceptions of elder care. The findings revealed notable deficiencies in geriatric training within Ghana’s health professional programs and demonstrated the need for comprehensive geriatric curricula before specialization. Strengthening educational preparation is essential to building a capable workforce and improving elder care services nationwide.

“The study calls for best practices and policy interventions to enhance training, promote positive attitudes toward aging, and ensure the healthcare system is prepared to support the needs of an aging population,” Karikari said.

During the APHA Annual Meeting, Karikari presented her award-winning research and facilitated two table discussions, specifically “Healthy family dynamics: The perceptions of older adults living in family settings” and “Colonial legacies, structural racism, and health inequities: A transnational examination.”

Congratulations!