Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across High-Income Countries
Official title: Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across High-Income Countries: Implications for the U.S.
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11621201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares how end-of-life care is delivered to older adults with serious illnesses in the US and other wealthy countries to understand where care could be improved in the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $18,185 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG058878-06A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11621201 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with poor-prognosis conditions who receive end-of-life care or are at a comparable stage in their care trajectory across participating countries.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not facing end-of-life decisions or not receiving care influenced by end-of-life practices may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Harvard Medical School are examining differences in end-of-life care for older adults with poor-prognosis conditions across the US, Canada, England, the Netherlands, and Israel. Using data from the International Health Systems Research Collaborative, they analyze how care is utilized, what treatments are given, and how outcomes vary across countries during the later stages of illness. The study builds on a history of international comparisons and aims to identify factors that drive high costs and varying quality of care, with the goal of informing policy and practice in the US. This human-centered work could illuminate opportunities to align care with patient preferences while reducing unnecessary interventions at the end of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could guide American clinicians and policymakers toward more patient-centered, cost-effective end-of-life care strategies.
How similar studies have gone: The project builds on a track record of over 28 peer-reviewed publications and previous successful international comparisons showing feasibility and impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landon, Bruce E. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Landon, Bruce E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.