Brian Downer, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health (SPPH) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI) and a PhD in Gerontology from the University of Kentucky. He also completed an NIA T32 postdoctoral fellowship on Hispanic Health and Aging at the UTMB Sealy Center on Aging.

Dr. Downer studies the influence of social and cultural context on life course pathways for dementia and cognitive decline in diverse older adult populations. He also investigates healthcare utilization by older adults, focusing on the quality and outcomes of post-acute care and differences in healthcare utilization by older adults with and without dementia.

CV - Curriculum Vitae

T32 AG000270 – NIH, NIA
Health of older minorities
MPI: Downer, Mehta; time period 08/01/1999-08/31/2028

OT2OD032581 – NIH
Modeling social determinants of health through human-centered artificial intelligence.
PI: Bhavnani (Role: Co-I); time period 09/01/2023-08/31/2025

R01 AG068988 – NIH, NIA
The influence of social and cultural context on life course pathways for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and care resources for older Mexican adults.
PI: Downer; time period 06/01/21-05/31/26

R01 AG018016 – NIH, NIA
The Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS)
PI: Wong (Role: Co-I); time period 05/01/2023-01/31/2028

R01 AG068392 – NIH, NIA
Health of Aging Mexicans on Both sides of the Border
PI: Riosmena (Role: Co-I); time period 05/01/21-01/31/26 

P30 AG024832-16 – NIH, NIA
UTMB Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
PI: Morrow & Goodwin (Role: core co-leader); time period 07/01/20-06/30/25

K01 AG058789 – NIH, NIA
Improvement in Patients’ Cognition and Relationship with SNF Quality Measures
PI: Downer; time period 01/01/19-11/30/23

Epidemiology of dementia and cognitive decline, Hispanic health and aging, Health services research, Post-acute care

Downer B, Wickliff M, Malagaris I, Li CY, Lee MJ. Achieving Functional Goals During a Skilled Nursing Facility Stay: A National Study of Medicare Beneficiaries. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024;103(4):333-339. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002382

Downer B, Samper-Ternent R, Cantu P, Miller M, Wong R. Does a Reduction in Receiving Assistance With Daily Activities Among Older Adults in Mexico Indicate An Increase in Unmet Needs or a Decrease in Needs for Care? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2024;79(4). doi:10.1093/geronb/gbad192

Downer B, Milani S, Grasso S, Lucas FL, Mehta N. Dual-Language Use and Cognitive Function Among Mexican Americans Aged 65 and Older. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024;99(3):1105-1115. doi:10.3233/JAD-231187

Cabrero Castro JE, Wong R, Samper Ternent R, Downer B. Population-level trends in self-reported healthcare utilization among older adults in Mexico with and without cognitive impairment. BMC Geriatr. 2024;24(1):652. doi:10.1186/s12877-024-05247-z

Tzeng HM, Downer B, Li CY, Raji MA, Haas A, Kuo YF. Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Repeat Fractures in Medicare Beneficiaries Recently Hospitalized for Hip Fracture. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(9):1677-1682. doi:10.1093/gerona/glad063

Note: A complete list of all publications can be found on the UTMB Research Experts web page.