Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

The Impact of Cumulative Information and Communication Technology Use on Dementia Risk: A 10-Year Study of Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Award Number: R21AG098448
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

The Impact of Cumulative Information and Communication Technology Use on Dementia Risk: A 10-Year Study of Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults - Project summary Dementia is a growing global health challenge, and rural communities are disproportionately affected. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as smartphones, computers, and the internet, have shown promise in reducing dementia risk. Unfortunately, rural older adults face multiple barriers including contextual constraints to ICT use. Despite the growing body of research on ICT use and cognitive health, there is a lack of long-term, systematic studies examining how cumulative ICT use over time influences dementia risk, particularly in rural settings. This study aims to fill these gaps by examining how cumulative ICT use over 10 years impacts dementia risk among rural older adults while considering the role of individual and neighborhood characteristics. This study will use data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative panel study of U.S. Medicare enrollees aged 65 and older. The study will focus on older adults living in rural communities who were community-dwelling and free of dementia in 2015. The study will track ICT use and dementia risk over 10 years (2015-2024), using a combination of multiple complementary methods. The study will examine both individual characteristics (e.g., age, education, health status) and neighborhood characteristics (e.g., broadband access, neighborhood deprivation, social cohesion) to understand how these factors interact to shape ICT use and dementia risk. The study will also explore variations in ICT use and dementia risk by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rurality spectrum. This study will help reduce dementia risk in rural areas by understanding how ITC use affects older adults. It will guide policies to improve internet access, affordability, and digital skills, as well as help rural seniors stay connected and independent. By addressing barriers like limited broadband and low digital literacy, the study aims to reduce health gaps, support aging in place, and improve the quality of life for rural older adults.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $365,000 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS	115 JOHN WILDER TOWER	MEMPHIS	TN	38152	SHELBY	USA	Aging Research	000	1	6/16/2026	NEW	$365,000
														Subtotal = $365,000

Grand Total All Awards = $365,000

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

The Impact of Cumulative Information and Communication Technology Use on Dementia Risk: A 10-Year Study of Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Award Number: R21AG098448

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer