Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, PhD

Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, PhD, is professor of Health Policy & Management at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. Her research focus is on health disparities and Alzheimer’s disease with an emphasis on building knowledge for the scientific and lay community to inform conducting culturally relevant research and disseminating information about Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders in medically underserved diverse populations.

In recognition of her research in aging, Dr. Dilworth-Anderson received the Pearmain Prize for Excellence in Research on Aging from the University of Southern California (USC) Roybal Institute on Aging. This award exemplifies outstanding contributions to the field of translational aging research and its import to issues directly relating to older people. UNC awarded her the University Diversity Award in recognition of her commitment to diversity and inclusion in research, teaching and leadership. She received the Ronald & Nancy Reagan Alzheimer’s Research Award for her research contributions on Alzheimer’s disease in medically underserved populations from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Dilworth-Anderson has served in numerous leadership roles, some of which include: President of the Gerontological Society of America; Member, Global Council on Brain Health, Committees of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Council; Board of Directors of the National Alzheimer’s Association and Eastern North Carolina Chapter; National Research Advisory Council of the Institute on Aging/NIH.

Having a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers in aging, Dr. Dilworth-Anderson has dedicated many years to training and mentoring graduate students, fellows, and junior and mid-career faculty interested in the field of aging. In recognition of her mentoring, she received the Minority Task Force Mentor Award from the Gerontological Society of America and the UNC Faculty- to- Faculty Mentoring Award from the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council.

A graduate of Tuskegee Institute, Dr. Dilworth-Anderson received her master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology from Northwestern University and post-doctoral training from the Midwest Council of Social Research in Aging. She is a fellow of the Gerontological Society and National Council on Family Relations.

Honors and Awards

Pearmain Prize for Excellence in Research on Aging

2018, University of Southern California

UNC Diversity Award

2018, University Of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Faculty to Faculty Mentoring Award

2012, Carolina Women’s Leadership Council

Ronald and Nancy Reagan Award in Alzheimer's Research

2010, Alzheimer's Association

Elected President

2009, Gerontological Society of America

Minority Task Force Mentor Award

2006, Gerontological Society

Presidential Appointment

2005, White House Conference on Aging Advisory Committee

Research Activities

Health Disparities
Dementia and Caregiving
Family Caregiving and Aging
Minority Aging & Aging in Cultural Context

Key Publications

Dementia Caregiving Research: Expanding and Reframing the Lens of Diversity, Inclusivity, and Intersectionality. Dilworth-Anderson P, Moon H, Aranda M. (2020). Gerontologist, 60(5), 797-805.

Achieving Health Equity in Embedded Pragmatic Trials for People Living with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers. Quiñones, AR, Mitchell SL, Jackson JD, Aranda MP, Dilworth-Anderson P, McCarthy EP, Hinton L. (2020). Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 68(Suppl 2), (Suppl 2): S8-S13.

Perspectives on Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Update and Areas of Immediate Need. Babulal, Ganesh M. et al….Dilworth-Anderson, …. P., O’Bryant, S., on behalf of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Alzheimer’s Association (2019). Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 15(2), 292–312.

Opportunities and Challenges in Public and Community Engagement: The Connected for Cognitive Health in Later Life (CHILL) Project. Lee, C., Mellor, T., Dilworth-Anderson, P., Young, T., Brayne, C., & Lafortune. L. (2018). Research Involvement and Engagement, 4(42), 1-12.

Baby Boomer Caregiver and Dementia Caregiving: Findings from the National Study of Caregiving. Moon, H. & Dilworth-Anderson P. (2015). Age and Ageing, 44(2), 300-306.

Social Justice, Health Disparities, and Culture in the Care of the Elderly. Dilworth-Anderson, P., Pierre, G., & Hilliard, T. (2012). Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 40(1), 26-32.

Education

BA, Sociology, Tuskegee Institute, 1970

MA, Sociology, Northwestern University, 1972

PhD, Sociology, Northwestern University, 1975