ANALYTIC METHODS FOR HEALTH DISPARITIES IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIA
2024

Health Disparities in Alzheimer's Disease

Sample size: 2 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Akushevich Igor, Yashkin Arseniy, Kravchenko Julia

Primary Institution: Duke University

Hypothesis

What are the factors contributing to health disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias?

Conclusion

Social determinants of health significantly contribute to racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease risk.

Supporting Evidence

  • Social determinants of health were identified as important predictors of disparity.
  • Traditional methods were useful for univariable and bivariate comparisons.
  • The Powers-Yun approach showed promising results for analyzing disparities.
  • The parametric g-formula has potential for establishing causality.

Takeaway

This study looked at how different factors affect health differences in Alzheimer's disease among various groups of people. It found that things like where you live and your health conditions can make a big difference.

Methodology

The study used Medicare data and various statistical methods, including proportional hazard models and the Powers-Yun approach, to analyze health disparities.

Limitations

Observed differences in hazard ratios cannot be causally interpreted, and traditional methods have limitations in analyzing multiple inter-related factors.

Participant Demographics

Two multi-racial cohorts of Medicare beneficiaries aged 67 and 75.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3289

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication