“Opportunities for New Insights on the Life-Course Risks and Outcomes of Cognitive Decline in the Kavli HUMAN Project,” by Kenneth M. Langa and David Cutler, in Big Data (October 2015)

 

 

 

Dr. Kenneth Langa, M.D./Ph.D., Senior Leadership, U.S. Health and Retirement Study; Associate Director, Institute of Gerontology, Univ. of Michigan; Professor of Internal Medicine, Institute for Social Research, Univ. of Michigan; Research Scientist, Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service, Univ. of Michigan

Dr. David Cutler, Ph.D., Otto Eckstein professor of Applied Economics, Harvard University; Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research; Member, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission; Member, Council of Economic Advisers and National Economic Council (Clinton Administration); Senior Health Care Advisor, Obama Presidential Campaign; Member, National Academy of Medicine

ABSTRACT

The Kavli HUMAN Project (KHP) will provide groundbreaking insights into how biological, medical, and social factors interact and impact the risks for cognitive decline from birth through older age. It will richly measure the effect of cognitive decline on the ability to perform key activities of daily living. In addition, due to its family focus, the KHP will measure the impact on family members, including the amount of time that family members spend providing care to older adults with dementia. It will also clarify the division of caregiving duties among family members and the effects on caregivers’ work, family life, and balance thereof. At the same time, for care that the family cannot provide, it will clarify the extent to which cognitive decline impacts healthcare utilization and end-of-life decision making.