Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich 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-11621202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project compares how older adults near the end of life are cared for in the U.S. and other high-income countries to identify ways to improve care and reduce wasteful spending.
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) | $22,680 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG058878-06A1S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11621202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with poor-prognosis conditions who are navigating end-of-life care.
✕Less likely to help
Findings may not directly change care for those not nearing end of life or with non-comparable health trajectories.
What this research studies
This grant uses international data to study how end-of-life care differs across five high-income countries and what that means for older adults with serious illnesses. It builds on the International Health Systems Research Collaborative to analyze healthcare use, treatments, and outcomes at similar points in care. The goal is to uncover factors that influence care quality and intensity near the end of life so changes can better align with patients’ needs and values.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to more patient-centered, cost-effective end-of-life care for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work from the IHSRC has produced numerous peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals and conferences.
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.