Understanding Healthcare Differences Across Regions
Geographic Variations in Health Care: Expanding Generalizability and Improving Relevance
This work helps us better understand how healthcare use and outcomes differ for people across various geographic areas, especially for those 65 and older, and aims to make these insights useful for younger populations too.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158875 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For many years, researchers have looked at Medicare data to see how healthcare varies from one place to another, often focusing on patients aged 65 and older. This project aims to update and improve how we define these healthcare regions, moving beyond older methods that might not fully represent today's diverse population. By using new statistical tools and more extensive data, we want to make sure our understanding of healthcare differences is relevant for everyone, not just older adults. This will help us get a clearer picture of healthcare across the country.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work primarily uses existing health insurance claims data, including information from individuals aged 65 and older, and aims to expand its relevance to younger populations.
Not a fit: Patients will not directly participate in this data analysis project, so there is no direct personal benefit or risk from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a more accurate understanding of healthcare needs and services across different regions, potentially guiding improvements in care for a wider range of patients.
How similar studies have performed: Extensive research over the past 50 years, including the Dartmouth Atlas Project, has successfully used similar approaches to study healthcare variations.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'malley, Alistair James — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: O'malley, Alistair James
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.