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Disparities in COVID-19-Related Mortality Among Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Variations Over Time

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) had a high risk of COVID-19-related mortality. Racial and ethnic minorities were disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. The variations in disparities, including racial and ethnic disparities and disparities across communities, in COVID-19-related mortality across the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic among the ADRD population are unknown. This observational study estimated linear probability models for community-dwelling older adults with ADRD who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 using multiple national data (e.g., Medicare data), accounting for individual and community characteristics. Disparities in 30-day mortality were compared between 2020 and 2021. The socioeconomic disparity in COVID-19-related mortality across communities became insignificant during the later stage of the pandemic, ethnic differences in COVID-19-related mortality decreased but persisted, and racial disparity remained largely unchanged. The study provides insights into interventions to mitigate lingering disparities in health outcomes among the vulnerable population.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI: 10.1177/07334648241264908

Authors: Qiuyuan Qin, Helena Temkin-Greener, Peter Veazie, Rajesh Makineni, Shubing Cai

Institution: University of Rochester Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Rochester, National Institute on Aging