Disparities in Dementia Rates Between Rural and Urban Areas
Author Information
Author(s): Ferdows Nasim
Primary Institution: Northeastern University
Hypothesis
Are there differences in ADRD prevalence and mortality rates between rural and urban communities?
Conclusion
The study found that dementia prevalence is higher in rural areas, but claims-based studies may underestimate these rates due to limited healthcare access.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher ADRD mortality rates were found in rural areas based on CDC data.
- Cognitive tests indicated higher dementia prevalence in rural areas compared to urban areas.
- Claims data showed lower prevalence rates for dementia in rural areas.
Takeaway
People in rural areas might have more dementia than we think, but it's hard to tell because they don't always get the healthcare they need.
Methodology
The study analyzed national county-level data from the CDC Wonder database and used Health and Retirement Study data.
Potential Biases
Claims-based studies may underestimate dementia rates due to limited healthcare access in rural areas.
Limitations
The study may not fully capture the healthcare access issues faced by rural residents.
Participant Demographics
The study involved a nationally representative sample of US older adults.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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