BRAIN-V Project

Breaking Barriers to Research, Awareness, and Information in Vietnamese Communities

BRAIN-V (Breaking Barriers to Research, Awareness, and Information in Vietnamese Communities) is a community-engaged research project led by Asian Women for Health (AWFH), in partnership with VietAID and a local academic research partner.

BRAIN-V brings together Vietnamese older adults, caregivers and loved ones, community partners, and researchers to better understand how Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are understood and experienced within the Vietnamese community. Through community conversations, bilingual workshops, and research activities, the project explores community knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and information needs related to brain health, memory, and dementia.

By centering community perspectives and lived experiences throughout the project, BRAIN-V aims to help shape more culturally and linguistically responsive approaches to brain health education, community outreach, and future research.

Why Brain Health Matters

Brain health is an important part of healthy aging and overall well-being. As we grow older, it is normal to experience some changes in memory and thinking, but understanding what is typical and when to seek medical advice can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their health.

Many Vietnamese older adults and caregivers face barriers to accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate information about brain health and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Language differences, cultural beliefs, stigma, and limited access to trusted resources can make it more difficult to find information and support. BRAIN-V seeks to address these challenges by partnering directly with the Vietnamese community to develop educational resources that are relevant, accessible, and responsive to community needs.

Project Goals

  • Increase Awareness. Promote brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia related disease education in Vietnamese communities.

  • Understand Community Needs. Learn about the experiences, priorities, and information needs of older adults, caregivers, and their loved ones.

  • Develop Resources. Create culturally and linguistically responsive educational materials and resources.

  • Strengthen Partnerships. Cultivate and build trustworthy and transparent relationships between communities, researchers, and local organizations.

  • Advance Community-Engaged Research. Support research that reflects community priorities and addresses health inequities.

Our Research Approach

Community members are at the center of the BRAIN-V project. Rather than creating educational materials and research activities without community input, BRAIN-V works collaboratively with Vietnamese older adults, caregivers, and community partners throughout the project.

By listening to community perspectives and incorporating feedback into project activities, we hope to ensure that educational resources are culturally meaningful, respectful, and relevant to the experiences of those they are intended to serve.

Learn more about Community-Engaged Research by visiting this page from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Brain health refers to how well our brain supports everyday activities such as thinking, learning, remembering, communicating, and making decisions. Our brain health can change throughout our lives and is influenced by many factors, including physical health, mental well-being, social connection, and our environment. BRAIN-V focuses specifically on how Vietnamese community members understand brain health, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias.

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are conditions that affect memory, thinking, communication, and a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are several others. While some changes in memory can happen as we age, dementia is not a normal part of aging.

BRAIN-V (Breaking Barriers to Research, Awareness, and Information in Vietnamese Communities) is a community-engaged research project focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in Boston’s Vietnamese community. The project brings community members and researchers together to better understand knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and barriers related to brain health, dementia, and research participation.

Vietnamese Americans remain underrepresented in health research, including research related to aging and dementia. Language, culture, trust, access to information, and past experiences with healthcare and research can all shape how people understand ADRD and whether they feel comfortable participating in research. BRAIN-V seeks to better understand these experiences directly from the community.

It means research is conducted with communities, not simply about them. BRAIN-V creates opportunities for Vietnamese community members, caregivers, community organizations, and researchers to share knowledge and shape the project together. Community feedback helps inform the project’s approach, educational materials, research activities, and recommendations.

BRAIN-V is a partnership and collaboration between Asian Women for Health (AWFH), VietAID, and a local academic research partner. AWFH and the local academic research partner lead the project, with VietAID serving as AWFH’s community partner and helping ensure the work remains connected and responsive to Boston’s Vietnamese community.

Community members participate in several ways, including through the BRAIN-V Project Advisory Council (PAC), educational workshops, focus groups, and community discussions. These opportunities allow participants to share their perspectives, identify concerns and barriers, provide feedback on project materials, and help researchers understand what matters most to the community.

The PAC is a group of community members and partners who provide guidance throughout the project. Members review materials, discuss community needs and perspectives, and help the BRAIN-V team make decisions about how the project engages and communicates with the Vietnamese community.

No. You do not need previous knowledge or experience with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. In fact, understanding what community members already know, believe, wonder about, or find confusing is an important part of the research.

No. BRAIN-V is designed to reduce language barriers and support meaningful participation by Vietnamese-speaking community members. Vietnamese language support and translated materials are incorporated into project activities as appropriate.

Depending on the activity, you may learn about brain health and ADRD, participate in a group discussion, share your experiences or perspectives, or provide feedback on educational and research materials. Participation in research activities is voluntary, and you can choose whether you would like to take part.

What we learn will help the BRAIN-V team better understand how Vietnamese community members in Boston may think about ADRD and research, identify barriers and opportunities, and improve culturally and linguistically relevant approaches to education and research engagement. Findings may also help inform future community-engaged research.

No. BRAIN-V is a community-engaged research and education project. It does not provide medical diagnoses or treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other health conditions.

Community members may have opportunities to participate in workshops, focus groups, community discussions, and other BRAIN-V activities. Contact Asian Women for Health to learn about current opportunities.

Contact Us

Have questions about BRAIN-V or interested in participating? Connect with our Community Health Worker to learn more about the project, upcoming activities, and ways to get involved.

Kimaleen Tran
Community Health Worker, BRAIN-V Project
Asian Women for Health
Phone: (617) 865-8904
Email: BrainV@AsianWomenforHealth.org

Vietnamese language support is available.

Research Partners

A Local Research University

Ethics Statement

BRAIN-V is conducted by researchers at a local research university in partnership with Asian Women for Health and VietAID. All research activities involving participants are reviewed and approved by the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Participation in research activities is voluntary.

Funding Acknowledgement: BRAIN-V is supported by a local research university. The views expressed are those of the project team and do not necessarily represent the official views of our academic research partner.