Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology. 2024;
13(4):(349-387)
Public Health Policies and Programs for Alzheimer’s and Dementia: A Data-Driven Evaluation of Effectiveness and Areas for Improvement in the United States
Taiwo Akindahunsi, Samuel Tundealao, Bamidele Oludele Adebayo.
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of public health policies and programs addressing
Alzheimer's and dementia in the United States, focusing on early detection, disparities in
access to care, and service quality variations between urban and rural healthcare facilities.
Using data from the World Bank’s QoG, CDC’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Data
Portal, and the Alzheimer's Association, logistic regression models assessed the impact of
early detection programs on patient outcomes. Disparities in care access were analyzed
using regression models incorporating demographic and geographic data from the National
Institute on Aging and the CDC. Service quality was examined through surveys targeting
patients and healthcare providers in different settings. The findings highlight that while
early detection programs are essential, their availability alone is insufficient without high-quality implementation. Significant disparities in access to care based on age and race were
observed, along with pronounced differences in service quality between urban and rural
areas. The study recommends enhancing program quality, addressing access disparities,
and investing in rural healthcare infrastructure to improve care for Alzheimer's and
dementia patients.
