The costs of treating all‐cause dementia among American Indians and Alaska native adults who access services through the Indian Health Service and Tribal health programs. Issue 11 (17th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Connell, Joan; Grau, Laura; Goins, Turner; Perraillon, Marcelo; Winchester, Blythe; Corrada, Maria; Manson, Spero M.; Jiang, Luohua
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 18:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 2055
• Page End: 2066
• Publication Date: 2022-02-17
• Subjects: American Indian and Alaska native peoples -- dementia -- disparities -- health expenditures -- hospital expenditures -- morbidity burden; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.12603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Little is known about treatment costs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults with dementia who access services through the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health programs. Methods: We analyzed fiscal year 2013 IHS/Tribal treatment costs for AI/ANs aged 65+ years with dementia and a matched sample without dementia (n = 1842) to report actual and adjusted total treatment costs and costs by service type. Adjusted costs were estimated using multivariable regressions. Results: Mean total treatment cost for adults with dementia were $13, 027, $5400 higher than for adults without dementia ($7627). The difference in adjusted total treatment costs was $2943 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $1505, $4381), the majority of which was due to the difference in hospital inpatient costs ($2902; 95% CI: $1512, $4293). Discussion: Knowing treatment costs for AI/ANs with dementia can guide enhancements to policies and services for treating dementia and effectively using health resources.