Jason D. Flatt, PhD, MPH (He, Him, His) is an Assistant Professor in Residence at the Institute for Health & Aging, Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Jason is a faculty member with the UCSF Healthforce and affiliate faculty with the UCSF Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (PRL-HPS). He is affiliated with the UCSF Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, UCSF Pepper Center, PRL-IHPS Evaluation Community of Practice, and UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care. With respect to teaching and academic administration, Jason teaches a designing clinical research course for the School of Medicine. Jason also serves on the UCSF Senate’s Committee on Academic Planning and Budget and leads a campus-wide LGBTQI Health Research Group with Dr. Annesa Flentje.

The focus of Jason’s research has been on aging health disparities and dementia risk, prevention, care practices and workforce. Jason has shown that older minorities and disadvantaged groups are more likely to experience health disparities, such as higher rates of mental health problems, social isolation, cognitive impairment, and falls. He also studies risk and protective factors for dementia, including PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, and social networks and social activities, including using the arts for prevention and care.

Jason’s current research brings these two areas of research together to better understand risk and protective factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) among older sexual and gender minorities or people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI). Currently, little is known about the epidemiology and risk of ADRD in LGBTQI older adults without HIV/AIDS. By 2030, there will be 6+ million LGBTQI older adults (aged 60+) in the U.S. Understanding the risk for ADRD in LGBTQI seniors is critical to defining the burden and developing targeted strategies. This includes improved screenings and treatments, and better targeting of culturally-relevant and inclusive interventions to prevent and reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease in LGBTQI populations.

For the past 10 years, Jason has used his platform as a public health researcher to work as an advocate for the LGBTQI community. To further the reach of his advocacy efforts, he partners with InterACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, Openhouse, and serves on The San Francisco Long Term Care Coordinating Council for Dementia Care Excellence Workgroup. He is also currently a co-convener for the Gerontological Society of America’s Rainbow Research Group. He is also working with Openhouse in San Francisco, on the Building Healthy Outcomes Using a Supportive Environment (H.O.U.S.E.) Study, to examine the influence of affordable- and inclusive-housing on the health of LGBTQI older adults. He is partnering with Openhouse and On Lok to explore opportunities for inclusive care and the first adult day social program for LGBTQI seniors. His work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report, The Advocate, Logo NewsNowNext, AARP News, San Francisco Bay Times, KCBS Radio, HealthCare Asia Dailey, Affaritaliani, as well as at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

Jason’s hope is that his current research and advocacy efforts will shape the training of care providers and create a more inclusive healthcare and environment for LGBTQI individuals.