How COVID-era health shocks and social disruptions affected memory, dementia, and survival in older adults
Changes since 2020 in the Long-Term Trends in Cognitive Health, Dementia, and Mortality among Older Adults: Quantifying the Impact of Health shocks and Social Disruptions
Researchers will use national survey data to measure how health shocks and social disruptions since 2020 changed thinking, dementia, and death among people 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project analyzes the Health and Retirement Study, a large U.S. survey of people over 50, to update models of cognition and estimate dementia trends before 2020 and changes after 2020–21. The team will combine survey-based cognitive scores with clinical dementia assessments in a subset and link those to mortality and well-being data. They will examine differences by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status to identify who was most affected by care disruptions, social isolation, and other health shocks. The work is analytic and uses existing, nationwide survey and mortality records rather than new clinical interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People aged 65 and older, including those living with dementia or at elevated risk for cognitive decline, are the main focus and would most directly benefit from the results.
Not a fit: Younger adults under 65 or people without age-related cognitive concerns are unlikely to see direct benefits from this analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help target supports and public health policies to protect cognitive health and reduce deaths among older adults during future health crises.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work using the Health and Retirement Study and other national surveys has tracked dementia trends and pandemic effects, and this project extends those efforts with updated cognitive modeling focused on changes since 2020.
Where this research is happening
Santa Monica, United States
- Rand Corporation — Santa Monica, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hurd, Michael D — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Hurd, Michael D
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 below.