About

María P. Aranda is an internationally recognized social worker and sociobehavioral scholar specializing in social work, geriatrics, and gerontology. Her research interests focus on the interplay between chronic illness, social resources, and psychological well-being in low-income minority populations. Born and raised near the USC Health Sciences campus, Aranda's early life experiences as a first-generation college student and first-generation US-born Latina have significantly influenced her scholarly contributions. She has extensive bilingual and bicultural clinical social work experience in low-income communities of color in Los Angeles County, which she brings into her scholarship, teaching, and service activities. As a professor of social work and the executive director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, Aranda's interdisciplinary work addresses disparities in health and health outcomes among diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Her work elucidates the social, cultural, and demographic factors impacting physical functioning and psychological well-being in older and middle-aged adults and their family caregivers. She develops culturally-attuned, evidence-based interventions for populations living with dementia, depression, and other serious conditions, demonstrating a balance of scientific methods including epidemiological, observational, clinical, community-based studies, and randomized trials. Her publications appear in high-impact scientific journals, and she has received numerous research grants from prominent institutions. Aranda has also developed support programs for Spanish-speaking families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and has served on several national consensus committees and advisory boards, contributing to policy and practice in aging, mental health, and dementia care.

Research topics

• Sociology
• Medicine
• Economic growth
• Environmental health
• Gender studies
• Psychology
• Physics
• Anthropology
• Nursing
• Psychotherapist
• Gerontology

Selected publications

• Hospital-Wide Sepsis Detection: A Machine Learning Model Based on Prospectively Expert-Validated Cohort

  Preprints.org · 2025-12-04

  preprintOpen access

  Background/Objectives: Sepsis detection remains challenging due to clinical heterogene-ity and limitations of traditional scoring systems. This study developed and validated a hospital-wide machine learning model for sepsis detection using retrospectively devel-oped data from prospectively expert-validated cases, aiming to improve diagnostic accu-racy beyond conventional approaches. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 218,715 hospital episodes (2014-2018) at a tertiary care center. Sepsis cases (n=11,864, 5.42%) were prospectively validated in real-time by a Multidisciplinary Sepsis Unit using modified Sepsis-2 criteria with organ dysfunction. The model integrated structured data (26.95%) and unstructured clinical notes (73.04%) extracted via natural language pro-cessing from 2,829 variables, selecting 230 relevant predictors. Thirty models including random forests, support vector machines, neural networks, and gradient boosting were developed and evaluated. The dataset was randomly split (5/7 training, 2/7 testing) with preserved patient-level independence. Results: The BiAlert Sepsis model (random forest + Sepsis-2 ensemble) achieved AUC-ROC 0.95, sensitivity 0.93, and specificity 0.84, signifi-cantly outperforming traditional approaches. Compared to the best rule-based method (Sepsis-2 + qSOFA, AUC-ROC 0.90), BiAlert reduced false positives by 39.6% (13.10% vs 21.70%, p< 0.01). Novel predictors included eosinopenia and hypoalbuminemia, while traditional variables (MAP, GCS, platelets) showed minimal univariate association. The model received European Medicines Agency approval as a medical device in June 2024. Conclusions: This hospital-wide machine learning model, trained on prospectively ex-pert-validated cases and integrating extensive NLP-derived features, demonstrates supe-rior sepsis detection performance compared to conventional scoring systems. External validation and prospective clinical impact studies are needed before widespread imple-mentation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Economic Burden of Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias by Race and Ethnicity, 2020 to 2060

  JAMA Network Open · 2025-06-05 · 17 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) have substantial clinical and public health consequences for individuals, families, employers, and government. Objective: To assess ADRD's economic burden on non-Latino African American, Latino, and non-Latino White adults and their caregivers, employers, and the government between 2020 and 2060. Design, Setting, and Participants: Population-based cross-sectional study using nationally representative data on African American, Latino, and White adults aged 50 years and older with ADRD and their unpaid caregivers from the 2014 to 2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) alongside the 2011 to 2017 National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) and 2013 Panel Study of Income Dynamics. These data were augmented with information from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Internal Revenue Service, and other sources to estimate current and future economic burden. Two-part regression models were used to estimate medical and work-related costs for older adults, and multivariate-distance matching was used to estimate the value of unpaid care, lost wages and productivity, loss of federal income tax revenue, and financial transfers for caregivers. Data were analyzed from March 2023 to February 2025. Exposure: Older adults with ADRD and their family caregivers. Main Outcomes and Measures: Projected medical costs and work-related losses for persons with ADRD, and unpaid care value, forgone earnings, and lost federal income tax payments and labor productivity for caregivers. Results: Of 31 028 older adults in MEPS, 5184 (10%) were African American; 146 (<1%) American Indian or Alaska Native; 1043 (3%) Asian (Indian, Chinese, or Filipino); 5346 (10%) Latino; 690 (2%) Other Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander; and 18 617 (75%) were White. In the NSOC sample of 1929 older adults, there were 644 (33%) African American, 169 (9%) Latino, and 1116 (58%) White adults. The total estimated economic burden of ADRD was close to $344 billion in 2020 and was projected to increase to over $3 trillion in 2060. African American and Latino adults bore one-third ($113 billion) of it in 2020, with projections rising to $1.7 trillion by 2060, surpassing the economic burden for White adults, which was projected to grow from $231 billion to $1.4 trillion. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that African American and Latino older adults with ADRD and their families are likely to face disproportionately high burdens, primarily associated with unpaid caregiving. Understanding ADRD prevalence, comorbidity, inadequate care, and support policies may attenuate economic burdens for all US residents.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Differences in Pain Presence and Intensity Among Black, Latino, and White Community-Dwelling Midlife and Older Adults in the U.S.

  Research on Aging · 2025-05-29 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  = 2907) to examine variations in pain presence and intensity among US community-dwelling Black, Latino, and white adults aged 50 plus. Adjusting for factors that commonly contribute to stress and health inequalities (educational attainment, inadequate health insurance, perceived economic position, and perceived discrimination), we examined how pain presence and intensity varied by race/ethnicity. Seventy percent reported pain presence. Reported mean intensity was 2.91 (SD = .99; Range; 1-6) indicating moderate pain. Compared to white participants, Black and Latino individuals reported less presence of pain. However, Latinos reported higher pain intensity. Perceived discrimination and educational attainment were associated with pain outcomes, but these relationships varied by race/ethnicity. Work is needed to examine racial/ethnic differences in other pain dimensions and to understand how educational attainment and perceived discrimination may contribute poorer pain outcomes across groups.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Evaluating Attitudes Toward Affective-Sexual and Gender Diversity in Education: A Systematic Review of Assessment Tools

  2025-07-09

  reviewOpen access

  The inclusion of affective-sexual and gender diversity is an ongoing challenge due to the persistence of negative attitudes. The educational context is a critical space where either prejudices may be perpetuated or egalitarian attitudes fostered. A crucial step for advancing the inclusion of sexual diversity is being able to measure this construct. For this, several authors develop, validate, or applicate instruments to assess attitudes toward sexual diversity in Education. The objective of the present study was to review this type of measures. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analyses follows the recommendations of PRISMA and APA’s standards. After the eligibility criteria were applied, 7 papers were included. The instruments were analyzed according to (i) their ability to capture subtle attitudes and the dimensions of diversity addressed; (ii) the context in which they were validated and their target population; (iii) their psychometric properties and methodological rigor. As result, it can be state that most of the instruments present some evidences of validity and reliability. In order to reduce social desirability and reactivity, the scales combine positively worded items, with the traditional use of negatively items. In addition, they incorporate more subtle expressions associated with modern prejudice. However, certain items may no longer effectively capture the subtle attitudes or evolution of language to more accurately name sexual diversity. In conclusion, it would be beneficial to address certain challenges, such as the generality of the items, the reactivity of old-fashioned-prejudice measures, and the need to accumulate further evidence to strengthen their psychometric properties.

  PublisherDOI

• Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the U.S.

  Clinical Gerontologist · 2025-07-17 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVES: This study investigates racial/ethnic disparities in dementia risk and protective factors using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 3,495 individuals aged 65+ from the 2016 HCAP linked to the HRS was conducted. Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Risk factors included midlife cardiovascular conditions, hearing loss, current smoking, depression, and physical inactivity. Protective factors were education and wealth. The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method was used to quantify the contribution of these factors in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Black participants had 2.883 times higher odds of developing dementia compared to Whites, while Hispanic participants had 1.230 times higher odds (not statistically significant). Mid- and late-life risk and protective factors explained 32% of the cognitive gap between Black and White participants, and 70% between Hispanic and White participants, leaving 68% and 30% unexplained, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing disparities in education, wealth, cardiovascular risks, depression, and hearing loss can reduce cognitive dysfunction in older adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should target modifiable risk factors like depression and physical inactivity, particularly in minority populations. Addressing socioeconomic disparities is also crucial for improving cognitive health.

  PublisherDOI

• Mental Distress Posed by the Co-Experience of Elder Mistreatment and Social Isolation: A Study with Older Korean Americans

  Journal of Gerontological Social Work · 2025-01-23 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  = 2,122, Mean age = 73.4). Approximately 44% experienced mistreatment, with 32% exposed to a single type and 12% to multiple types (polyvictimization). Social isolation and mental distress rates were about 24% and 30%, respectively. Both factors independently affected mental distress, with a significant interaction observed. The odds of experiencing mental distress were substantially greater when polyvictimization occurred in social isolation. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to support for those who are mistreated and lack social protection.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The longitudinal impacts of secondary caregiver networks on primary caregiver’s social isolation and depression

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-07-01

  articleOpen access

  Background and Objectives: Caregiving for older adults often leads to increased social isolation and depression among primary caregivers. Secondary caregiver networks (SCNs) may provide crucial support, potentially mitigating these adverse outcomes. This study aimed to identify the SCN support patterns and examine their impacts on primary caregivers' social isolation and depression over 2 years, as well as potential differences in the associations by gender and race. Research Design and Methods: Data from the 2015 and 2017 National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) and National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) were used. Latent profile analysis identified distinct SCN support patterns. Mixed-effects models assessed associations between SCN patterns, social isolation, and depression. Results: Among 782 primary and 1,003 secondary caregivers, three SCN support patterns (low, medium, and high) were identified. Higher SCN support was associated with lower social isolation at baseline, but increased social isolation over time. Depression increased over time, but was not associated with SCN support. No significant gender and racial differences were found. Discussion and Implications: While SCN support initially reduces social isolation among primary caregivers, its effectiveness diminishes over time. The study highlights the necessity for continuous social and mental health support for primary caregivers, regardless of SCN support level, to better address the evolving demands of caregiving.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Current and Future Replacement and Opportunity Costs of Family Caregiving for Older Americans With and Without Dementia

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-01-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background and Objectives: Family caregivers in the United States provide substantial value of unpaid care to older adults while less recognized are the employment-related costs they endure and the trajectory of these costs. We estimate the replacement cost of unpaid family caregiving to U.S. adults aged 70 and older with and without dementia and the opportunity costs of forgone earnings and lost productivity between 2011 and 2060. Research Design and Methods: We match caregivers to older adults from the National Study of Caregiving with similar noncaregivers from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We use population projections alongside current and historical data on educational attainment, wages, inflation, and average wages for in-home care aides to approximate total replacement and opportunity costs. Results: Current annual replacement cost of unpaid family care is between $96 and $182 billion, 44% of which is accounted for by dementia caregiving. By 2060, it will increase to $277-571 billion, and 53% will be for dementia caregiving. The opportunity costs of forgone earnings and productivity loss, however, will grow faster, increasing from current levels of $107 billion and $26 billion to $380 billion and $102 billion, respectively, in 2060. Projections show that opportunity costs of family caregiving will be increasingly borne by caregivers of older adults with dementia and racial/ethnic minoritized caregivers. Discussion and Implications: As the employment-related opportunity costs of family caregiving for older adults are on a trajectory to become increasingly similar in value to associated replacement costs of unpaid care, policymakers, health insurance payers, and employers should focus on supporting unpaid family caregivers to remain attached to the labor force through efforts such as strengthening paid family leave options, expanding consumer-directed in-home services options, and offering increased work flexibility.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Participant perspectives on online interventions for diverse caregivers of persons living with dementia

  Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2025-06-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  INTRODUCTION: The evidentiary base for dementia caregiver programs is still emerging and is less clear for diverse racial and ethnic minoritized populations. We explored in-depth perspectives about program participation, acceptability, and recommendations from diverse caregivers who completed one of three versions of the Savvy Caregiver Program. METHODS: We conducted 19 focus groups with 92 caregivers who participated in an online version of the Savvy Caregiver Program (Savvy Caregiver Program, Savvy Express, and Unidos en el Cuidado, a Spanish-language version). Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Caregivers reported positive appraisals of the program's acceptability. Time constraints and a desire for more peer interaction were prominent. Key themes included programmatic features, cultural and gender considerations, program and research participation, and suggestions for improvement. DISCUSSION: Our findings can inform programmatic improvements to future interventions for family caregivers of persons living with dementia, applicable to both online and on-site settings. HIGHLIGHTS: Diverse caregivers report positive experiences in online dementia caregiving interventions. Key takeaways include dementia knowledge, self-care, and caregiving strategies. Cultural and gender considerations highlight gaps in caregiver program representation. Participants suggest expanding discussion time and offering follow-up sessions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Plug-in paper biosensors for the rapid detection of multiple sepsis biomarkers in blood at the emergency department

  Talanta · 2025-11-13 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Neuropathology Core

  NIH · $45.9M · 2020–2030

• NIH Grant R21MH080624

  NIH · $452k · 2012

• NIH Grant P50AG005142

  NIH · $107.0M · 2021

Frequent coauthors

• Jürgen Floege

  RWTH Aachen University

  37 shared

• Jiaming Liang

  33 shared

• Yuri Jang

  Ewha Womans University

  29 shared

• Roberto de la Rica

  23 shared

• Antònia Socías

  Hospital Son Llatzer

  22 shared

• Alberto del Castillo

  Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands

  22 shared

• Shinyi Wu

  University of Southern California

  19 shared

• Jesús Díez‐Manglano

  18 shared

Education

• PhD, Social Work

  Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California

  1995

Awards & honors

• 2022, James Jackson Outstanding Mentorship Award, The Geront…
• 2012-present, Fellow, Gerontological Society of America, Soc…
• 2018-21, Appointed Member, National Academies of Sciences, E…
• 2019-20, Appointed Member, California Governor’s Alzheimer’s…