Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-10-08eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf081
Ashley Z Ritter, Sarah C Gebauer, Marcia G Ory
{"title":"One crisis, many ages: investigating opioid use disorder across the life course.","authors":"Ashley Z Ritter, Sarah C Gebauer, Marcia G Ory","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf081","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf081"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505134/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-09-09eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf096
Jinho Kim, Keun Young Kwon
{"title":"How social engagement shapes depressive symptoms in later life: uncovering gendered and asymmetric effects.","authors":"Jinho Kim, Keun Young Kwon","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Social engagement is widely recognized as a protective factor for mental health in later life, yet most studies treat it as a static condition and overlook potential asymmetries in the effects of becoming socially engaged and disengaged. This study examines (1) whether the mental health effects of entering and exiting social engagement are asymmetric, (2) whether these effects differ by the type of engagement (informal vs formal), and (3) whether gender moderates these associations.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>Using 7 waves of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we analyzed 6,762 older adults aged 65 and older. Asymmetric fixed effects models were employed to estimate within-person changes in depressive symptoms associated with entry into and exit from social engagement. Gender-stratified models and interaction terms were used to examine differential effects by gender.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Transitions into and out of social engagement were significantly associated with changes in depressive symptoms, but no statistically significant asymmetries were found for either informal or formal engagement in the full sample. However, gender-stratified analyses revealed asymmetric effects for formal social engagement: women benefited more from entering engagement, whereas men were more negatively affected by exiting it. No gender differences or asymmetries were observed for informal social engagement.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>These findings underscore the importance of distinguishing between types of social engagement and considering gender differences when designing interventions. Policies that support both prevention and re-engagement-particularly those that are gender-sensitive and address formal social roles-may be most effective in promoting mental health among older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf096"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505128/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-25eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf091
Jeni Page, Catherine Stephens, Melissa A Richard, Elizabeth Lyons, Elizabeth Baumler, M Terese Verklan, Elizabeth Lorenzo
{"title":"Examining the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and telomere length in women: a systematic review.","authors":"Jeni Page, Catherine Stephens, Melissa A Richard, Elizabeth Lyons, Elizabeth Baumler, M Terese Verklan, Elizabeth Lorenzo","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) poses a significant public health challenge due to its rising prevalence in aging and significant healthcare costs. Recent studies have suggested telomere length (TL), a marker of cellular aging, may be impacted by CMS among women, but comprehensive evidence remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between CMS risk factors (increased waist circumference [WC], elevated blood pressure, impaired fasting blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoproteins) and TL in women, with consideration of age and race or ethnicity.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with searches across five databases. Thirteen relevant studies published between 2007 and 2022 were included. A narrative synthesis was performed to evaluate associations between CMS risk factors and TL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings revealed individual CMS risk factors did not demonstrate relationships with TL; however, a link was identified between collective CMS risk factors and decreased TL. The influence of CMS on TL varied by mean sample age, where increased WC was associated with decreased TL for middle adulthood women. Findings based on race or ethnicity were inconclusive due to limited analyses, but examination by continent revealed a relationship between increased WC and decreased TL in Asia and North America.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>There was high heterogeneity among diagnostic criteria for CMS risk factors across studies, potentially limiting findings. This review highlights the need for further research to clarify the complex associations between CMS and TL in women throughout the lifespan. Future large cohort studies using standardized CMS diagnostic criteria should examine variations by age and race or ethnicity to enhance understanding of these relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf091"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505143/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-10eCollection Date: 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf080
{"title":"Correction to: The Influence of Vision Impairment on the Measurement of Cognition in Older Adults in India: Findings From LASI-DAD.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igae071.].</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 7","pages":"igaf080"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12342946/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144834966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-10eCollection Date: 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf063
Jyoti Savla, Zhe Wang
{"title":"Older adults' care networks and the pathways to unmet needs.","authors":"Jyoti Savla, Zhe Wang","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf063","DOIUrl":"10.1093/geroni/igaf063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Older adults differ widely both in the care they require and in who provides them care, often reporting significant unmet needs for assistance. Few studies have simultaneously considered the type of disability (self-care, mobility, and household activities) and multisource care networks (kin, extended-kin, non-kin, and paid help) to understand factors influencing unmet care needs among community-living older adults.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011; <i>N</i> = 3,265; <i>M</i> <sub>Age</sub> [<i>SD</i>] = 77 [7.74] years, 62% women), we conducted a latent class analysis to identify care network types based on older adults' functional limitations and caregiver sources. Multinomial logistic regression models predicted network membership based on personal and structural predictors. Zero-inflated Poisson regression examined the relationship between network type and unmet care needs 1 year later.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven distinct care network types emerged, characterized by combinations of caregiving sources and disability domains. Kin caregivers were involved across all network types. Older adults coresiding with kin typically received minimal paid help, which significantly increased their likelihood of unmet care needs in the subsequent year. Networks predominantly relying on non-kin caregivers tended to not use paid services and exhibited higher unmet care needs. Mismatches between disability type and the assistance received (e.g., requiring self-care assistance but primarily receiving household help) were associated with unmet care needs in the subsequent year.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>The provision of adequate care was contingent upon the direct alignment of caregiving tasks with the functional limitations of aging adults and the effective coordination of informal and formal care resources. Enhancing care alignment through targeted assessments, supplementing family caregiving with formal services, and promoting coordinated caregiving arrangements could substantially reduce unmet care needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 7","pages":"igaf063"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12342885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144834967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-09eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf088
Cheng Shi, Gloria H Y Wong, Jacky C P Choy, Jennifer Y M Tang, Hao Luo, Shiyu Lu, Adelina Comas Herrera, Martin Knapp, Terry Y S Lum
{"title":"Association of dementia diagnosis, cognitive impairment levels, and their combination with care costs among publicly funded long-term care recipients.","authors":"Cheng Shi, Gloria H Y Wong, Jacky C P Choy, Jennifer Y M Tang, Hao Luo, Shiyu Lu, Adelina Comas Herrera, Martin Knapp, Terry Y S Lum","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf088","DOIUrl":"10.1093/geroni/igaf088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Most people with dementia are undiagnosed and rely heavily on long-term care. Little is known about the relationship between dementia diagnosis and care costs, and inconsistent evidence exists on the cost implications of cognitive impairment severity. We examined how formal and informal care costs are associated with a dementia diagnosis and cognitive impairment levels across care settings.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>We used representative data from publicly funded long-term care recipients in residential care settings and community care settings in Hong Kong (<i>n</i> = 1,603). Staff time measurement was used to capture service utilization of both formal and informal care. Generalized linear model (log-link and gamma distribution) was used to estimate long-term care costs, controlling for covariates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A dementia diagnosis is associated with an additional 13% and 23% care costs in residential and community care settings, respectively. People with more severe cognitive impairment incur greater long-term care costs; the highest difference (a 189% increase) was found in informal care costs in community care settings among those with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. In community care settings, formal care costs were insensitive to cognition status but were consistently higher with a dementia diagnosis; in contrast, informal care costs were less associated with a diagnosis but increased with cognitive impairment severity.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>Having a diagnosis of dementia and poorer cognition are associated with higher long-term care costs in both residential and community care settings. A dementia diagnosis is potentially a more important driver of formal care costs than cognitive impairment levels within the current care system, in contrast to what is observed with informal care costs. Practitioners and policymakers need to ensure that individuals with cognitive impairment without a dementia diagnosis receive the appropriate level of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf088"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12499915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-09eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf083
Mahrukh Tauseef, Akshith Ullal, Alexandra Watkins, Mary S Dietrich, Cathy Maxwell, Judith Tate, Lisa Juckett, Lorraine C Mion, Nilanjan Sarkar
{"title":"Older and younger adults' perceptions of augmented reality photorealistic avatars as a viable medium for interpersonal communication.","authors":"Mahrukh Tauseef, Akshith Ullal, Alexandra Watkins, Mary S Dietrich, Cathy Maxwell, Judith Tate, Lisa Juckett, Lorraine C Mion, Nilanjan Sarkar","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Augmented reality (AR) telepresence is a novel interactive communication modality that maps a user's 3D photorealistic avatar to another user's physical environment. However, AR's application with older adult populations is understudied. As such, we examined young and older adults' perceptions of utilizing this modality for social communication. Additionally, we tested the participants' ability to recognize 6 common emotions displayed by 3D photorealistic avatars compared to video clips of real people, examining whether age differences existed in communication perceptions and emotion recognition accuracy.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>To assess participants' perceptions, older (<i>n</i> = 31) and younger (<i>n</i> = 31) adults interacted with a volunteer's 3D photorealistic avatar using a structured conversational activity through a head-mounted display (HMD). Participants rated the quality of the HMD-AR communication based on physical and human realism, comfort while talking to the avatar, and the degree of social presence offered by the HMD-AR. Participants then identified 6 basic emotions exhibited by (1) video clips of a real person and (2) an animation of their 3D photorealistic avatars via an HMD. Each participant viewed a total of 36 <i>video and avatar</i> stimuli. Subgroup analyses were conducted by age group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants reported a positive communication experience with the 3D photorealistic avatar, with older adults rating the quality higher. Ratings were generally lowest for how life-like the model appeared (68% younger adults; 61% older adults). Most younger participants (93%) were able to accurately identify nonverbal emotions displayed by the avatar; older adults had less overall accuracy (80%).</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>Participants, including older adults, were enthusiastic regarding AR telepresence for interpersonal communication. Most were able to accurately identify emotions displayed by the 3D photorealistic avatars, although younger adults outperformed older adults. Further technology development will likely enhance the quality of AR communication for everyday use.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf083"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cost-benefit analysis of interventions for dementia: a scoping review.","authors":"Tracy Comans, Tiet-Hanh Dao-Tran, Namal Balasooriya, Digby Simpson, Lee-Fay Low, Annica Barcenilla-Wong, Paola Vasquez, Junru Zhou, Kim-Huong Nguyen","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf084","DOIUrl":"10.1093/geroni/igaf084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Recently, cost-benefit analysis has been increasingly used to evaluate the value of interventions for dementia. This study aims to synthesize the methodology used in cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for dementia interventions.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>We conducted a scoping review with comprehensive systematic searches for original peer-reviewed articles published from January 2010 to December 2023, and included the studies if they (1) performed a CBA of interventions for dementia, (2) described either cost or benefit items, and (3) performed quantitative data analysis on either costs or benefits. The review adhered to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist to write the report.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 3415 articles found from the search, 15 were included in the review. Data analysis included the traditional CBA approach and its integration with the social return on investment approach. The set of cost and benefit items may vary depending on the intervention. Staff training, intervention supplies, building hire, and transportation were common cost items. Quality-adjusted life years (QALY), general practitioner visits, and emergency room visits were common benefit items. Cost data were often sourced from the study budget/assumptions. Benefit data were often sourced from the social value banks and literature. Market and shadow pricing were used for cost valuation. The value of statistical life was frequently used for benefit valuation.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>This review synthesized data analysis methods, lists of cost and benefit items, data sources, and valuation methods used in the CBA of interventions for dementia. The findings provide helpful information for considering methodology in future CBA of interventions for dementia and similar interventions or conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 8","pages":"igaf084"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12448809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-08-07eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf087
Xiang Qi, Zhiyue Mo, Junyu Sui, Yanping Jiang, Bei Wu
{"title":"Psychosocial burdens in early- versus late-onset dementia: analysis of discrimination, stress, and loneliness in the All of Us Research Program.","authors":"Xiang Qi, Zhiyue Mo, Junyu Sui, Yanping Jiang, Bei Wu","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Early-onset dementia (EOD, onset before age 65) is relatively rare but often devastating for patients and families. Individuals with dementia face stigma and psychosocial burdens; however, it is unclear whether those with EOD experience worse psychosocial outcomes than those with late-onset dementia (LOD) or no dementia. This study examined differences in psychosocial outcomes across EOD, LOD, and no-dementia groups.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used data from the All of Us Research Program surveys and linked electronic health records (EHR). Diagnosis of dementia was identified through electronic health records (EOD [<i>n</i> = 442], LOD [<i>n</i> = 658], and without dementia [<i>n</i> = 79,035]). Outcomes included everyday discrimination, discrimination in healthcare settings, perceived stress, and loneliness. Negative binomial regression models were employed to compare outcomes by dementia status, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EOD participants reported the highest mean levels of all psychosocial outcomes (e.g., everyday discrimination score of 8.3 in EOD vs 4.6 in LOD and 6.8 in no-dementia). In the fully-adjusted models, EOD was associated with significantly higher everyday discrimination (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.30, 95% CI 1.05-1.62), discrimination in healthcare settings (IRR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15), and perceived stress (IRR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.15) compared with LOD. No difference in loneliness was observed between EOD and LOD (IRR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.98-1.09). Compared with those without dementia, the EOD group also showed elevated levels of all outcomes. All differences remained significant after adjusting for covariates.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>Findings highlight the unique challenges faced by young adults with EOD and underscore the need for targeted interventions to reduce psychosocial burden in this growing population. As the prevalence of EOD continues to rise, clinicians and policymakers should prioritize supportive resources to mitigate these disparities for EOD patients and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf087"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505131/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovation in AgingPub Date : 2025-07-25eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaf070
Joy Alonzo, Melissa Romain-Harrott, Wendell Campbell, Kristen Clancy, Keith Biggers, Marcia Ory
{"title":"Addressing data gaps in opioid overdose reporting: enhancing systems to protect vulnerable older adults.","authors":"Joy Alonzo, Melissa Romain-Harrott, Wendell Campbell, Kristen Clancy, Keith Biggers, Marcia Ory","doi":"10.1093/geroni/igaf070","DOIUrl":"10.1093/geroni/igaf070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While opioid overdoses impact Americans of all ages, the full extent of the impact of the evolving opioid crisis on older adults remains poorly understood due to significant gaps in data reporting. Inaccurate documentation of drug poisoning deaths-where opioids are often not listed as primary or secondary causes-obscures the real toll. Additionally, less is known about non-fatal overdoses due to inconsistent reporting and a lack of standardized data collection. To address these challenges, there is a need to reimagine data systems that link local, state, and federal sources to capture geographical risk factors. This article will reflect on current opioid overdose prevalence rates, discuss challenges in existing data solutions, and highlight novel attempts toward building better data systems to enhance our understanding of the risks for and effectiveness of different opioid prevention efforts. Texas A&M University's efforts in leveraging its data integration capabilities to link overdose events with specific interventions, utilizing diverse datasets to offer a more holistic view of the crisis and tailoring responses based on regional needs will serve as a case example. However, achieving optimal data systems will require further improvements, such as standardizing data across districts and enhancing interoperability between public health agencies. This coordinated effort, integrating geographical and demographic risk factors, will be essential to creating timely, accurate data systems that inform targeted interventions for persons of all ages and reduce direct and indirect impacts on older adults and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":13596,"journal":{"name":"Innovation in Aging","volume":"9 9","pages":"igaf070"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12498330/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}