Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 are using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to better understand what improves outcomes for individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders.

A recent study published in analyzed more than 7.9 million publicly available treatment records across the U.S. to identify patterns in services, recovery and outcomes. The research was led by Treena Becker, an assistant researcher with the , and Alberto Gonzalez-Martinez, a 东精影业 computer scientist.

“We believe our research findings can help states and local organizations better understand how to support people in substance use disorder treatment and their long-term recovery journey at a time when drug overdose deaths continue to be a major public health concern across the U.S.,” Becker said.

Top predictors of positive treatment outcomes

“We developed and used an ensemble machine learning model called Random Forest Model with the aim to predict the 10 most important features that increase the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes,” Becker said.

The analysis found the most important factor associated with positive outcomes was how long an individual remains in treatment, regardless of setting. According to Becker, longer engagement significantly increases the likelihood of reducing or stopping substance use.

Other key factors included treatment accessibility, depending on clinical need, treatment type at entry and at discharge, housing status, participation in self-help groups, employment status and referral source.

Mapping disparities in treatment services

AI/ML tools also allowed researchers to map and visualize the data, revealing patterns difficult to detect using traditional methods. Using the Machine Learning Random Forest Model, the team found that states with the highest overdose death rates tend to have fewer clinically appropriate treatment services available.

“It would have been virtually impossible to analyze so many treatment records without AI/ML assistance,” Becker said.

Based on the findings, Becker recommends that state governments prioritize behavioral health services and work collaboratively to expand access to longer-duration, clinically appropriate treatment programs. Increasing availability—especially in states with limited treatment infrastructure—could significantly improve recovery outcomes nationwide.

Becker, who recently received a pilot project award from (Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge and Opportunities), plans to build on the research by examining local data on addiction treatment and recovery among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform healthcare, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (COA) researcher is gaining national recognition for advancing data-driven tools that improve the lives of k奴puna.

Jinyoung Jenny Lee has been accepted into the competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) program: .

Funded by the NIH through the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, the program trains researchers and clinicians to use AI/ML in healthcare, strengthens infrastructure in communities and healthcare systems, and supports multidisciplinary projects that improve health outcomes. FHIR sets standards for the secure exchange of electronic health data.

“Given AI‘s current and future impact on our population’s health, I’m excited to have been selected for this multidisciplinary cohort to learn about accelerating and sustaining the adoption of AI in healthcare and research settings,” Lee said.

Translating data into tools for communities

Lee earned her PhD in public health from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and has consistently integrated technological innovation into her work at COA. Her research focuses on program evaluation and data analytics, with an emphasis on making complex data accessible and actionable for communities.

I hope to empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology.
—Jinyoung Jenny Lee

Among her projects is the creation of the interactive, user-friendly web page , which provides detailed demographic information about 贬补飞补颈驶颈’s aging population. She has also designed intuitive dashboards using data she collected and analyzed through her evaluation work with community organizations.

“Through my participation in the AIM-AHEAD training program, I hope not only to increase my knowledge and awareness of AI/ML but also to help empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology,” she said.

This research was, in part, funded by the National Institutes of Health Agreement No. 1OT2OD032581. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the NIH.

The Center on Aging is part of the .

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has partnered with Gachon University, part of a consortium of five South Korean universities, to advance research and collaboration on aging and population change. Led by the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (COA) and the Humanities-Utmost-Sharing System (HUSS), a South Korean government initiative, the agreement fosters mutual learning and international exchange.

South Korea, one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, offers insights valuable to Hawaiʻi and the U.S.During an August visit, a 24-member HUSS delegation explored COA鈥檚 dementia-friendly Hoʻ艒la ʻ膧ina Pilipili garden and met with staff to learn about aging initiatives in Hawaiʻi.

“The memorandom of understanding (MOU) encourages the exchange of faculty, students, academic information and collaborative research and learning initiatives,” said Jinyoung “Jenny” Lee, COA assistant researcher. “These exchanges will enhance educational outcomes and promote mutual understanding, particularly around population aging, demographic shifts and inclusive community development.”

Hyejoong Kim of Gachon University described factors driving Korea鈥檚 population decline, including low birthrates, high housing costs, and the challenges of raising children.

“We now have become a super-aged society. Bolstering resilience and inclusion for diverse generations and environments is central to our vision,” Kim said. “Our aim is to train many students to be experts in population change.”

Kim added that visiting 东精影业鈥檚 Center on Aging was one of the highlights of the delegation鈥檚 trip. The dementia-friendly garden, with its active volunteer engagement, left a strong impression, as such initiatives are rarely found in Korea.

The collaboration aligns with COA鈥檚 mission to advance applied, translational and community-engaged research focused on Hawaiʻi and the Asia Pacific region. COA is housed in the .

Anyone passing Krauss Hall in October may have noticed an uncommon campus sight: k奴puna (older adults), m膩kua (adults) and 艒pio (youth) sharing pizza and meaningful conversation. The gathering marked the launch of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补驶s new Age-Friendly University Initiative, a long-term effort led by the Center on Aging (COA) in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, with campus partners including the 东精影业 Retirees ʻOhana and the .

Co-planned over several months by a team led by COA gerontologist Christy Nishita and Professor Emeritus Noel Kent of ethnic studies, “Generations in Conversation” served as the initiative’s first step toward building a more inclusive, multigenerational campus. The event followed 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s recent acceptance into the global .

“This is an association of higher education institutions around the world that are committed to promoting positive and healthy aging and enhancing the lives of older members, which strongly aligns with the mission and goals of our Center on Aging,” Nishita said.

Conversations that bridge generational divides

Participants of all ages split into pairs and small groups to explore 36 guided questions designed to spark curiosity, deep listening and connection. Facilitator Rob Chang, whose program builds bridges in correctional settings, helped participants quickly find common ground.

“Individuals shared that they had things in common they didn’t consider before with their partner or partners and that they felt comfortable to share,” said Whitney Katsutani, a COA social worker. “Rob also shared about how he does this work with justice-involved individuals and how connection and conversation go beyond the spaces they originate in.”

As COA continues developing age-friendly programming in the coming months, Nishita said events like this lay the foundation for deeper, ongoing intergenerational engagement.

“We start there, and then evolve into conversations of deeper social impact, working toward collaborative involvement in addressing larger community issues together,” she said.

Other 东精影业 members involved in the Age-Friendly University initiative include Joonyoung Cho, Emanuel Drechsel and Carole Mandryk.

With more than 35,000 Hawaiʻi residents living with Alzheimer’s, and the state’s aging population expected to grow, early detection and brain-healthy habits are crucial. To address this urgent public health issue, a new tool has been developed and launched as part of a statewide collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (COA) and the Department of Public Health Sciences鈥� (DPHS)鈥� Hawaiʻi Health Data Warehouse (HHDW) team in the .

This new interactive online tool, supports the Hawaiʻi 2025 State Plan on Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease & Related Dementias, provides real-time, localized data on brain health, cognitive decline, dementia prevalence, risk factors and caregiving across the state.

Real-time data tracks trends, issues

The Healthy Brain Tracker features interactive charts and dashboards by county and demographic group, offering data on cognitive disabilities, dementia rates, risk factors, caregiver roles and more. These tools help users visualize the scope of the issue, identify service gaps, and track trends over time.

“Public health surveillance data, like the kind available in the tracker, is essential for identifying important issues,” said Julia Chosy, an epidemiologist with HHDW. 鈥淚t helps measure the impact of programs and policy changes, ultimately improving the health of all our local residents.”

Research shows that changes in the brain can begin 20 years or more before symptoms appear, making timely access to information crucial for prevention and intervention.

“Data is very powerful, and we need this kind of data in the public health realm,” said Christy Nishita, a gerontologist at the Center on Aging. “There鈥檚 a lot of concern and impact on families, and the numbers are only going to grow because of our population aging.”

The tracker was developed over the past year through COA and DPHS HHDW, the Hawaiʻi Dementia Initiative Data Action Team, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Executive Office on Aging, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control’s Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure grant.

With aging populations on the rise worldwide, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (COA) is strengthening ties with Japanese researchers to lead the way in gerotechnology and community-based care for older adults.

Gerontologist and then-Interim Director Christy Nishita, and researcher Jinyoung “Jenny” Lee, were invited to the for meetings and presentations aligned with the 33rd International Biomedical Engineering Seminar. Their visit builds on a 2023 memorandum of understanding aimed at fostering research and innovation to support older adults in Hawaiʻi and Japan.

During the seminar, Nishita presented the center鈥檚 efforts to address dementia care, strengthen the eldercare workforce, and reduce social isolation in Hawaiʻi. Lee shared research focused on food security among the state鈥檚 diverse aging population.

Cross-cultural collaboration on eldercare

Their joint presentation, “Critical Eldercare Issues in Hawaiʻi and Opportunities for Collaboration,” emphasized Japan鈥檚 experience, where 30% of the population is age 65 or older, as a valuable model for Hawaiʻi, which has the nation鈥檚 highest life expectancy.

“The Japanese researchers were interested in how we built these relationships with community members,” Lee said. “Much of their research takes place in the lab, while we do community-engaged studies here in Hawaiʻi.”

Japanese researchers expressed interest in the U.S. eldercare policy landscape, including Medicare and Medicaid, and shared emerging tech-based approaches like robotics, AI and virtual reality. They were also intrigued by the , a Hawaiʻi-based network of nearly 300 organizations and 500 members that addresses eldercare through community engagement.

Building age-friendly communities

The visit also included a tour of , an intergenerational gathering space introduced to them by Emi Kiyota, founder of the Ibasho movement. Operated by Keio University and the local government, the space offers both structured activities and informal connection to reduce isolation and build community.

“It was a magical experience,” said Nishita. “We saw real potential to adapt this kind of model to our age-friendly work in Hawaiʻi.”

The visit reinforced the Center on Aging鈥檚 commitment to building inclusive, supportive communities for older adults across the Asia-Pacific region through shared learning and innovation.

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Center on Aging is housed in the .

Located along Metcalf Avenue at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education, is both a garden and an educational hub. In April, it welcomed dozens of visitors who helped test a new inclusivity checklist developed by researchers from the . A initiative, the garden emphasizes ʻāina-based learning and community connection.

The , part of a research study “Exploring the Usability, Appropriateness, and Inclusivity of the Dementia-Friendly Garden Checklist,” is led by Melody Halzel, a PhD student in public health, and Christy Nishita, interim director of the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , who serves as principal investigator. The study focuses on accessible garden interventions for older adults and people with disabilities, including those with dementia and their caregivers.

“The use of this checklist is for community sites to identify and remove common barriers to inclusion,” Halzel explained. “The items are aligned with evidence-based research and the ADA-accessibility guidelines to provide recommendations to design and implement accessible garden sites in Hawaiʻi.&rdquo

Research has shown that gardening offers both physical and mental health benefits, particularly for individuals with dementia. However, traditional gardens can be difficult to navigate for older adults and people with limited mobility.

“Gardening can be a calming, non-pharmacological intervention,” said Halzel. “An age-friendly and dementia-friendly accessible garden attempts to eliminate barriers to participation鈥揳 goal the checklist was designed to support.”

Checklist walkthrough aims to improve inclusivity

Participants received a checklist with 45 items grouped into categories, such as “accessible entrance,” “garden beds and pathways,” “safety” and “sensory features.” As they walked through the garden, they checked off features they observed, including raised beds or shaded seating, and offered additional feedback.

Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili, once an underutilized space in 2022, now flourishes with native plants like mamaki, a native Hawaiian plant, and kalo, ʻōlena, rosemary, lilikoʻi, cherry tomatoes and more. It features elevated planter boxes, resting areas and wide pathways, all designed with accessibility in mind.

Growing community resource

东精影业ees took home a clean copy of the checklist, along with a guide detailing how to build accessible gardens, including approximate costs and dimensions for beds, paths, seating and shade.

Support for the garden has come from across 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. Summer Maunakea, associate professor of curriculum studies in the College of Education, integrates it into her ʻāina-based education classes, while the Center on Aging has offered ongoing guidance to grow the site into a model for other communities.

During the event, organizers previewed the next phase: the development of an age-friendly caf茅 and education program, offering a space for learning and connection.

Community work days

Community members are invited to take part in monthly work days this summer at Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili. Held every second Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., the gatherings offer opportunities to engage in hands-on garden care, including harvesting, weeding, and preparing herbal teas and l膩驶au bundles from plants grown on-site.

A new study by researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 examines how Indigenous communities define elderhood, and how this role supports healthy aging. Led by Yu-Chi Kalesekes Huang and Kathryn Braun of the , the research reviews 20 scholarly publications to shed light on how elders contribute to the well-being of their communities.

Elderhood as a cultural role

The study looks at a range of Indigenous populations, including Inuit, M茅tis, and First Nations in Canada; Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans and Native Americans in the U.S.; M膩ori in New Zealand; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia; and the Aymara tribe in Chile.

Published in the , the study identifies six common themes across cultures, finding that an elder is someone who:

• Is respected for living, knowing and teaching traditional knowledge
• Is committed to passing down wisdom to younger generations
• Continues contributing to the community
• Provides a vision for the future rooted in tradition
• Is not necessarily defined by age
• Acts as a care provider

These findings highlight that elderhood is a respected status earned through cultural stewardship, community service and wisdom, rather than age alone. Supporting individuals in attaining this role can promote healthier aging and enhance community resilience.

“We believe the important contribution of this research lies in emphasizing the key role of Indigenous elders in tribes and communities,” said Huang, who also studied the elders of her hometown of Sapulju Village. “For Indigenous peoples, the title of ‘elder’ is earned by playing a continuous role in preserving cultural traditions and enhancing community resilience, which brings benefits to the overall health and well-being of the community. If an older person earns the title of elder, they are seen as having aged successfully and embody the principles of healthy aging.”

The study calls on policymakers and community leaders to embrace culturally grounded approaches that honor the vital role of elders in strengthening the health and resilience of Indigenous communities.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is seeking participants for a national research registry aimed at increasing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) representation in aging studies. In collaboration with researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California Irvine, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 is launching a multi-year initiative to expand the CARE 2.0 registry.

Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the project builds upon an earlier UCSF-led initiative called CARE (Collaborative Approach for AANHPI Research and Education). This expanded phase seeks to recruit more AANHPI individuals for aging-related studies while addressing barriers to participation and enhancing community engagement.

“Our team in Hawaiʻi is excited to be part of this national effort to diversify research participation,” said Christy Nishita, interim director of the Center on Aging. “By partnering with community organizations, stakeholders and cultural informants, we aim to increase awareness of the value of aging research and ensure that findings reflect the diverse experiences of AANHPI populations.”

CARE 2.0 eligibility and registration

Participants who join CARE 2.0 may be contacted for research on topics such as brain health and caregiving. Studies vary in commitment, from one-time surveys to long-term data collection, and participation is always voluntary.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Identify as Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 18 years or older
• Speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hawaiian, Hindi, Ilokano, Japanese, Korean, Samoan, Tagalog or Vietnamese
• Reside in the U.S. or U.S. Associated Pacific Islands
• Willing to be contacted for health research

First-time research participants are encouraged to apply to help address health disparities in AANHPI communities. .

The 东精影业 Center on Aging will also provide educational resources on healthy aging, including brain health tips and support services for caregivers and those living with dementia. Student volunteers will serve as CARE ambassadors to assist with recruitment while gaining valuable research experience.

Expanding AANHPI research participation

AANHPIs are the fastest-growing racial groups in the United States, yet from 1992 to 2018, less than 1% of the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 budget was allocated to AANHPI research. Nishita emphasized that Hawaiʻi鈥檚 multiethnic population provides an ideal environment to recruit participants for the CARE 2.0 registry.

“Beyond enrollment, we hope to gain insights into challenges, effective outreach strategies, and opportunities for increasing AANHPI participation in scientific studies on aging,” she said.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 are advancing efforts to enrich ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) with new eldercare terms, blending cultural heritage with modern healthcare concepts to ensure the language鈥檚 relevance for future generations.

Related 东精影业 News story: Free Hawaiian language resources help enhance responsible k奴puna care

Their work was recently highlighted in an article published in , authored by PhD student Kepoʻo Keliʻipaʻakaua, program coordinator Shelley Muneoka, and principal investigator Kathryn Braun with the Thompson school鈥檚 . Assisted by Kumu Kapili Lyon at the , the initiative aims to preserve and strengthen Native Hawaiian perspectives on aging while ensuring accessibility for future generations.

“From our work so far, we have gained a lot of insights and learned a lot of terms and concepts that are perhaps new to us today, but were commonly understood in the past,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua. “Most importantly, we see how much more remains to be learned.”

Building on decades of efforts to revive ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, H膩 K奴puna spearheaded three major language projects:

• Glossary featuring 231 Hawaiian terms related to elderhood
• Collection of 109 Hawaiian proverbs and sayings about aging
• Hawaiian-language translation of the children鈥檚 book on dementia, P艒mai and Her Papa

New words for modern medical concepts

Since ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi historically lacked specific terms for modern medical concepts such as “Alzheimer鈥檚 disease” and “geriatrician,” the research team developed new words through recommended linguistic processes. These processes include combining existing Hawaiian words or adapting words from non-Polynesian languages to Hawaiian spelling.

Some of the new eldercare-related terms include:

• Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease: Maʻi ʻAlekahaima
• Dementia: Kemenekia
• Geriatrician: Kauka Kilo Mākule
• Neurologist: Kauka Kilo Lolo
• Health Plan: Palapala Hoʻolālā Ola Pono

Expanding ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in public health and eldercare strengthens cultural ties to aging while preserving Hawaiian values and traditions. By creating terms that align with the Hawaiian language and worldview, researchers make eldercare discussions more accessible in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

“We are humbled to contribute to understanding elders through the wisdom of our ancestors,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua.“Through this initiative, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi continues to evolve, honoring the past while adapting to the needs of the present and future.”

The glossary, proverb collection and translated book are accessible through .