Neurological Disorders

commentary

New Clinical Outcome Assessments Could Improve Treatment for Parkinson's

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease has doubled over the last 25 years, and over 8.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide, but treatment options are limited. The development of new clinical outcome assessments could lead to new treatments for the disease.

Claire E. O'Hanlon, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, et al.

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Advancing Women's Health Requires Better Evidence

For decades, advances in health and health care have had a bias toward the male body. By shifting the focus of research to women's bodies and building out this base of evidence on women's health, scientists and doctors can improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for women, all while also saving money.

Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD

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Dementia and National Security, Finland Joins NATO, the Four-Day School Week: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the risk that dementia could pose to national security, Finland's NATO membership, the downside of a four-day school week, and more.

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Dementia Rates, Deepfakes, Migrant Students: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the decline of dementia rates among Americans, the dangers of deepfakes, data privacy after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and more.

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Synthetic Opioids, Ukrainian Grain, the Metaverse: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on countering the illegal flow of synthetic opioids, freeing up Ukrainian grain to prevent famine, the importance of defining the metaverse, and more.

commentary

The Informal Carers Who Help People with MS Need Support More Than Ever

The trend within health care services toward remote care and self-management for people with multiple sclerosis has not included adequate support to carers. Greater investment to support the needs of carers could support the informal care they provide, as well as the carer as an individual.

Daniela Rodriguez-Rincon, Brandi Leach

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Disinformation, Drug Policy, Artificial Intelligence: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on tools to fight disinformation online, the negative consequences of punishing pregnant women for drug use, how to ensure public trust in artificial intelligence, and more

q&a

Committed to Improving Health Care Policy: Q&A with Jodi Liu

Jodi Liu, an associate policy researcher at RAND, studies how to deliver high-quality care and how to pay for it. She discusses her assessment of a single-payer health care proposal in New York State and the supply-and-demand challenges that might arise if an Alzheimer's treatment became available.

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On Vaccines, Trump Should Rely on Science

Research has proven that vaccines are extremely safe and effective. The public health implications of questioning this are serious. America should take every opportunity to protect kids by vaccinating them against every vaccine-preventable disease.

Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil, Laura J. Faherty @LauraFahertyMD

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Struggling with Dementia

The costs of dementia are staggering. A recent RAND analysis quantifies the scope of the problem in the United States and serves as a wake-up call to policymakers everywhere.

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Meeting the Caregivers Challenge

Ill or injured military personnel and veterans and people with dementia are unique populations, but they give us a preview of the enormous long-term care challenges Americans will face in the decades to come.

Emily K. Chen, Jeffrey Wasserman

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A Summer Reading List for Congress

No matter how policymakers spend their break—meeting with home-state constituents, traveling abroad with congressional delegations, or spending time with family—this summer reading list contains policy ideas that can help them hit the ground running when they return.

commentary

Demographics Add Urgency for Action on Dementia Long-Term Care

Dementia takes a huge toll on those afflicted with it. But it also has major consequences for those who must care for them, most often family and friends.

Esther M. Friedman

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Parallel Caregiver Crises, Military and Civilian

Among American caregivers, there are two expanding populations: those caring for military servicemembers struggling with physical or emotional wounds of war and those looking after people with dementia. Both face incalculable financial stresses and threats to their own health as a result of their caregiving roles.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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A Global Focus on Dementia

The Group of 8 industrial nations is convening a special session to seek an international approach to dementia research at a time the disease is being recognized as a 21st century global health crisis of historic proportions.

Regina A. Shih @ReginaShih

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The Cost of Dementia: Who Will Pay?

It is time for the government in partnership with industry to return to the drawing board to craft a plan that will provide protection for the more than 9 million people who will need care for dementia by 2040, writes Michael D. Hurd.

Michael D. Hurd

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Dementia's Growing Cost to Caregivers

At the rate that the U.S. population is aging, the total cost of dementia could reach half a trillion dollars a year by 2040. Those who care for impaired relatives and friends are acutely aware of the effects of dementia, and unfortunately they are all too familiar with its costs, writes Kathleen J. Mullen.

Kathleen J. Mullen

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Vaccine Myths Could Cost Lives: They Don't Give You Autism, and They'll Hardly Ever Make You Sick

This year's seasonal flu shot incorporates vaccine for H1N1. It's safe, and it's vitally important to get it, write Art Kellermann and Katherine Harris.

Arthur L. Kellermann, Katherine M. Harris