Project Description
- Co-Investigators:
- Kali Thomas, PhD; Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
- Frank Xu, PhD; Assistant Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
The rapid evolution of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) diagnosis and care necessitates an understanding of the distribution and availability of specialized resources across the United States. This pilot study emerges in the context of transformative changes—including the FDA's approval of anti-amyloid antibody infusion therapy, Medicare’s coverage for amyloid PET CT, and the introduction of the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) care model in 2024. These advancements could impact care accessibility, particularly amid existing disparities tied to geographic and socioeconomic factors.
Aim 1: To characterize variation in the availability of specialized ADRD diagnosis, treatment, and care resources by location and population characteristics. We will create a composite measure of ADRD resource richness at the county level and examine the associations between resource richness and various demographic factors.
Aim 2: To determine the association between the availability of specialized ADRD diagnosis, treatment, and care resources and age at ADRD diagnosis, mortality, and time from diagnosis to death. We will use Medicare data to analyze the relationship between county-level ADRD resource richness and clinical outcomes, including age at diagnosis and mortality rates.
By linking resource availability to clinical outcomes, this study aims to shed light on the implications of differential access to ADRD care. Our findings are intended to support policy development aimed at optimizing care accessibility and improving health outcomes for individuals living with ADRD.