Hopkins Economics of Alzheimer's Disease & Services Center

Abstract – Overall This renewal application of the Hopkins’ Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease & Services (HEADS) Center builds on notable successes of our first project period in which we established an interdisciplinary research community, developed research resources and data infrastructure, and formalized partnerships to address major evidence gaps in our understanding of the care and consequences of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). In the next project period, we will execute Center activities through 5 Cores, launch a new Emerging Scholars Mentorship Program, enhance community with enriched internal and external communications, engage in new real-world translation activities, assemble a Lived Experience Panel and Shared Care Research Network, and expand our research resources through innovative data assets and infrastructure. The HEADS Center advances population-based science that addresses ADRD care and its economic consequences through two themes: 1) Identifying and quantifying the range of ADRD care needs and economic consequences, and 2) Examining how the organization, financing, and delivery of services and technologies affects accessibility, affordability, and quality of ADRD care – and two cross-cutting issues – reducing ADRD consequences in high-burden populations and family caregiving. We meet our overall goal and address Center themes through three Specific Aims. SPECIFIC AIM 1 is to generate new knowledge in areas of thematic focus. SPECIFIC AIM 2 is to attract and nurture emerging scholars and established scholars new to ADRD. SPECIFIC AIM 3 is to expand the field and its impact by building research resources and infrastructure, disseminating new knowledge, and forging bidirectional linkages with policy and practice communities. The renewed HEADS Center will accomplish its Aims through an infrastructure of five Cores. Core A, the Administrative and Research Support Core: develops and executes the Center’s strategic vision and oversees centralized reporting and management. Core B, the Program Development Core: attracts, funds, and supports high-impact pilot projects. Core C, the Communication and Dissemination Core: supports communication infrastructure, Center-wide capacity-building activities, and Annual Scientific Convenings. Core D, the External Innovative Network Core: will launch a national Shared Care Research Network and a Lived Experience Panel to amplify Center reach and impact. Core F, the Remote Data Enclave Core: sustains a high-capacity, secure computing environment and provides user support.