Dr. Sabrina Sales Martinez, an associate professor in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at Florida International University (FIU), is leading a collaborative study supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) that focuses on the intersection of diet, sleep, cognition, and gut microbiome in Hispanic and Latino communities.
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The research, which investigates the microbiota-gut-brain axis, aims to understand how socio-cultural factors influence diet, sleep, cognition, and gut health, particularly among midlife individuals in these communities. One goal is to identify modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, with a long-term aim of developing culturally appropriate interventions that promote better health outcomes across the lifespan.
Dr. Martinez's work is particularly important given that Hispanic and Latino populations face significant health disparities. These communities are 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and exhibit high rates of obesity and related chronic diseases. Current cardiovascular disease research has historically overlooked the diverse backgrounds within Hispanic and Latino populations, which hinders comprehensive data collection and analysis.
Through her work, Dr. Martinez highlights the need to address modifiable risk factors in younger generations to enhance prevention and awareness of chronic disease. Her community-engaged research approach has revealed alarming rates of chronic health conditions and cardiometabolic factors among younger Hispanic and Latino individuals.
Inspired by her early love of food and science, Dr. Martinez became interested in nutrition research and later focused on minority health and health disparities. Her experiences have shaped her understanding of the environmental influences on health risks.
Looking to the future, she envisions increased collaboration between researchers and community members to create effective interventions and solutions. Dr. Martinez emphasizes the importance of early exposure to community-engaged research for the next generation of researchers, advocating for investments in training to address health disparities effectively. Leveraging technology will be essential for future studies to improve public health outcomes within underserved communities.