Van Ta Park's family experienced profound loss when her brother was killed, prompting her father to reflect on their past as Vietnamese refugees. Park, now a professor, became intrigued by the lasting impacts of trauma on mental health among her community, leading to her involvement in research aimed at understanding cognitive decline among Vietnamese immigrants. The Vietnamese Insights Into Aging Program, supported by a substantial NIH grant, seeks to study the long-term effects of war-related trauma in an overlooked group of aging survivors.
Among refugees, accounts of their harrowing journeys were often glossed over, marked by a common sentiment of shared suffering: 'Everyone went through it, what makes them different?' This hindered discussions on trauma, depression, and dementia, often seen in families of Vietnamese descent.
Trauma from war can lead to cognitive decline, particularly in older individuals. Current research largely revolves around American veterans, necessitating a broader exploration of civilians' and refugees' experiences.
Van Ta Park's inquiry into her family's past, coupled with her academic pursuit, aims to shed light on unseen mental health challenges faced by refugees. The initiative focuses on the long-term effects of trauma.
The Vietnamese Insights Into Aging Program aims to alter the prevailing narrative on trauma among aging Vietnamese refugees, providing valuable insights supported by a $7.2 million NIH grant.
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