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-11621203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project compares how older adults with serious illnesses receive end-of-life care in the US and other high-income countries to find ways to improve care 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) | $11,975 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG058878-06A1S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11621203 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with poor-prognosis conditions who may require end-of-life care decisions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not facing end-of-life decisions or those not engaged with healthcare planning may receive indirect benefits.
What this research studies
This project uses international comparisons to understand why end-of-life care varies across countries and how that affects older adults with serious, poor-prognosis conditions. Researchers from Harvard Medical School are examining healthcare utilization, treatments, and outcomes near the end of life across the US, Canada, England, the Netherlands, and Israel. The work builds on the International Health Systems Research Collaborative to identify factors that could inform better patient-centered care and policy decisions in the US. Results will come from analysis of real-world data and published studies to highlight opportunities for quality improvements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could inform policy and clinical practices to align end-of-life care with patients’ values and reduce unnecessary or burdensome treatments in the US.
How similar studies have gone: Previous international comparisons have yielded actionable insights and high-impact publications in top journals.
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.