About

Becca Levy is an associate professor with tenure at the Yale School of Public Health, where she also serves as the Director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. She holds a joint appointment with the Department of Psychology. Dr. Levy earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1995. Her research explores psychosocial factors that influence elders’ cognitive and physical functioning, as well as their longevity. She is credited with creating a field of study that focuses on how positive and negative age stereotypes, which are assimilated from the culture, can have beneficial and adverse effects, respectively, on the health of older individuals.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Sociology
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Law
• Virology
• Psychiatry
• Demography
• Internal medicine
• Social psychology

Selected publications

• Action community engagement groups

  http://isrctn.com/ · 2025-07-23

  dataset1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Unequal Expression: Social Position, APOE Genotype and Risk of Dementia

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Negative Aging Stereotypes and Clinical Insomnia in Older U.S. Military Veterans

  The Gerontologist · 2025-01-29 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Insomnia symptoms are more prevalent in older age and may be impacted by negative perceptions of aging; however, more research is needed. The present study characterizes the relationship between negative aging stereotypes and clinical insomnia symptoms in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. veterans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from 3,000 U.S. veterans (aged 60-99) who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS). Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between negative aging stereotypes (assessed with the Expectations Regarding Aging scale) and clinical insomnia (assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index). RESULTS: A total of 213 veterans (7.1%) screened positive for clinical insomnia and scored significantly higher on measures of negative emotional (p < .001), physical (p = .003), and cognitive (p = .013) aging stereotypes relative to veterans without clinical insomnia. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that, after adjusting for covariates, greater endorsement of negative stereotypes regarding emotional aging was associated with significantly greater odds of screening positive for clinical insomnia (OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.26-1.95, p < .001), sleep disturbance (OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.25-1.77, p < .001) and daytime dysfunction (OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.34-1.88, p < .001). Veterans who "somewhat" and "fully" endorsed these negative stereotypes were 3- and 6 times more likely to screen positive for clinical insomnia, respectively (probabilities = 0.110 and 0.246 vs 0.040). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Negative aging stereotypes, particularly those related to emotional aging, are independently associated with clinical insomnia in older U.S. veterans. Efforts to modify these stereotypes in older veterans may help improve overall sleep quality.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Combating Ageism with Science: Robert Butler’s Shaping of the National Institute on Aging

  The Gerontologist · 2024-11-27 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The physician, scholar, and activist Robert Butler devoted much of his life to trying to end ageism in order to create a society that provides older persons with equal rights and opportunities. His passion for fighting ageism led to his becoming the founding director of the National Institute of Aging (NIA) and set the stage for many of its achievements during the past 50 years. This article explores how Butler first became committed to overcoming ageism, how he made a strong case for setting up NIA as a headquarters to combat ageism with science, and how he launched NIA as a multidisciplinary organization that could draw on research, training, and public policy as weapons against ageism. Finally, this article highlights how Butler, through his anti-ageism activities in later life, personified the possibilities he had done so much to make available to older persons through his launch of NIA.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Knowledge and barriers to implementing dementia risk reduction among older people and health professionals in community daycare centers

  Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2024-12-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background Assessing knowledge of dementia prevention from both the individual (patients) and the structural level (health professionals) in the same settings is vital to implementing dementia risk reduction programs. However, most studies have only focused on one level. Thus, this was the aim of our study. Method A qualitative study was conducted with two populations: patients aged 60 and older with no dementia and health professionals, attending and working at community daycare centers for older adults in Chile, respectively. People from 10 different daycare centers were invited to participate in two separate focus groups per center (patients: 5‐15 participants; health professionals: 3‐7 participants). Focus groups included the topics of cognitive changes of aging and dementia, dementia risk factors, and barriers to brain health. Thematic analysis following grounded theory and inductive analysis was performed to generate main themes. Result In 19 focus groups, 115 patients and 51 health professionals participated. In the main results, older adults frequently mentioned memory problems as a ‘normal part of aging’ and Alzheimer’s disease as ‘the severe stage of dementia.’ Health professionals recognize signs and symptoms of dementia. Both groups agreed that uncertainty about memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease can generate anxiety and isolation in older people. Patients showed more agreement on dementia risk factors than health professionals and were able to mention risk factors not mentioned by health professionals (e.g., TBI, air quality, neighborhood factors). Patients from high‐income municipalities were more prone to attribute Alzheimer’s disease to genetic factors than patients from other municipalities, but health professionals showed no differences. Interestingly, patients used popular figures in media with a diagnosis of dementia (e.g., Ronald Reagan) as examples of why ‘Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented.’ Structural barriers to brain health were similar between groups (negative experiences with healthcare and ageism). Patients referred to intergenerational contact and health professionals increasing awareness among patients' families as opportunities for brain health. Conclusion Health professionals highlighted the need for updates and homogenization regarding dementia risk reduction. Patients’ knowledge may be influenced by social determinants and portraits of aging and brain health. Addressing structural factors could benefit dementia prevention in both groups.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Children's Residential Proximity, Spousal Presence and Dementia Risk

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Association between experiencing low healthcare quality and developing dementia

  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 2024-02-28 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Low healthcare quality has been found to predict the development of a number of illnesses in older adults. However, it has not been investigated as a determinant of dementia. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess whether experiencing low healthcare quality is associated with developing dementia in people aged 60 and older. METHODS: Participants in the Health and Retirement Study, without dementia and aged 60 and older at baseline, were followed from 2006 to 2019. Experiencing low healthcare quality was assessed at baseline through questions about healthcare discrimination and dissatisfaction with healthcare services. The outcome, development of new cases of dementia, was determined through physician diagnosis or a cognition score compatible with dementia (assessed by the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status). Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of dementia, adjusting for participants' demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Among the 3795 participants included in the cohort, 700 developed dementia. Experiencing low healthcare quality was associated with increased dementia risk over 12 years (unadjusted HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.27-2.21, p-value <0.001; fully adjusted HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.12-2.01, p-value: 0.006). Healthcare discrimination and dissatisfaction with the healthcare quality received were independently associated with increased dementia risk. CONCLUSIONS: As predicted, experiencing low healthcare quality was associated with greater dementia risk. To date, most measures to reduce dementia have focused on individual-level behaviors. Our findings suggest that implementing structural changes to improve healthcare quality delivery for older persons could reduce dementia prevalence.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Contrast in beliefs and knowledge about dementia risk reduction in Southern Latin American Indigenous and non‐Indigenous older adults: A qualitative analysis

  Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2024-12-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background Although ethnic and cultural aspects can influence health behaviors, no studies have compared views about dementia and brain health between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people living in the same territory. Therefore, we contrasted beliefs and knowledge about dementia risk reduction between Indigenous (Mapuche) and non‐Indigenous older adults in Chile. Method An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with people 60 years and older, self‐identified as Mapuche ( ‘people of the land’ ) or non‐Mapuche, with no dementia. We recruited people living in urban and rural settings of Santiago and the Araucania region of Chile using a convenience and snowball strategy. Interviews covered topics such as cognitive changes of aging and dementia, dementia risk factors, and practices for brain health. Thematic analysis following grounded theory and inductive analysis were used to generate main topics. Result A total of 24 in‐depth interviews (Mapuche: 14, non‐Mapuche: 10) were analyzed. For Mapuche people engaged in cultural religious practices, dementia was described as a ‘transition to their ancestors’ spiritual plane’ . Regarding potential risk factors of dementia, Mapuche people were more prone to refer to trauma and grief, low‐quality food, social problems, and alcoholism as major risk factors. Non‐Mapuche people were more likely to mention loneliness and depression, as major risk factors. Regarding positive elements for brain health, non‐Mapuche people highlighted participating in more activities, an ‘active attitude’ , social activities engagement, and cognitive activities. In contrast, Mapuche people prioritized ‘being in balance’ (referred to as avoiding any kind of ‘excess’ , or mind‐body and person‐environment connections), natural nutrition, good sleep, pride in being Mapuche, and engaging in traditional Mapuche activities like agriculture and handcrafts as ways to promote brain health. Conclusion Even though groups share some common views about memory problems, there are differences in conceptions about the causes and prevention of dementia between Mapuche and non‐Mapuche older adults. Cultural and ethnic determinants may influence views and practices toward brain health and should be considered for designing dementia risk reduction interventions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Healthcare Quality and Dementia Risk

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Advantage in Aging Cognition Associated with the <i>CREBRF</i> variant rs373863828 Among Samoans

  GeroPsych · 2024-05-22

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract: We examined whether the A allele of CREBRF rs373863828, which is common in Samoans but rare in non-Pacific Islanders, predicts better cognition. Samoan interviewers interviewed participants who were 60 years and older, lived in the Independent State of Samoa, and had four Samoan grandparents. The AA genotype significantly predicted older Samoans’ better subjective and objective cognition; it also contributed 5.9 times more than APOE to subjective cognition and 12.3 times more than APOE to objective cognition, in effect-size analyses. Since CREBRF operates in the universal CREB system, the findings could inform general aging-cognition resilience.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Culture-Gene Relationship: A Novel Model of Aging Cognitive Health

  NIH · $1.7M · 2009–2023

• NIH Grant R01HL089314

  NIH · $3.0M · 2014

• NIH Grant F32AG005727

  NIH · $82k

• NIH Grant K01AG001051

  NIH · $574k · 2006

• NIH Grant R01AG032284

  NIH · $1.2M · 2017

Frequent coauthors

• Karen L. Fingerman

  The University of Texas at Austin

  111 shared

• Bob G. Knight

  University of Southern Queensland

  69 shared

• Brian Carpenter

  Washington University in St. Louis

  60 shared

• Amy Fiske

  West Virginia University

  60 shared

• Robert Hudson

  60 shared

• Zachary Gassoumis

  University of Southern California

  60 shared

• Judy Howe

  National Institute on Aging

  60 shared

• Elizabeth A. Kensinger

  Boston College

  51 shared