DAC expands early detection implementation network to advance early detection of cognitive impairment in primary care settings

Today the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative (DAC), a worldwide initiative accelerating innovation in Alzheimer’s disease research and care, announced the launch of the U.S. Early Detection Expansion Program, building upon the success of the initial U.S. Early Detection Program. As part of this new initiative, two U.S. healthcare systems will partner with DAC Healthcare System Preparedness (DAC-SP) to implement and refine the DAC-SP Early Detection Blueprint with the aim of improving rates of early detection of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in primary care settings. More than 6.9 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, with this number projected to nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060 as the population ages. Detecting Alzheimer's disease in a timely manner is important in extending life and improving outcomes for patients and their families. 

Two U.S. healthcare systems, representing diverse geographic regions and patient populations - Tufts Medicine and University of Utah Health - were selected to participate in this new effort. This initiative will pilot early detection programs across five primary care sites in each system - totaling ten participating locations - to demonstrate feasibility and validate the model for system-wide adoption.

The U.S. Early Detection Expansion Program leverages a self-serve implementation model to develop organizational training capabilities and create sustainable clinical pathways that ensure scalable, long-term program adoption. 

The selected primary care sites include:

• Tufts Medicine (Massachusetts) - https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/

  • Family Practice Group

  • General Internal Medicine

  • MFM Health

  • Mill City Medical

  • TMCC- Quincy Primary Care

• University of Utah Health (Utah) - https://healthcare.utah.edu/

  • Madsen Health Center Family Medicine Clinic

  • Madsen Health Center Geriatrics Clinic

  • Madsen Health Center Internal Medicine Clinic

  • Sugar House Health Center Family Medicine Clinic

  • Sugar House Health Center Internal Medicine Clinic

This strategic initiative shifts from single-site pilot programs to a system-level model that tests what it takes to embed ADRD early detection programs across multiple clinics within each healthcare system. "This expansion program allows DAC-SP to help healthcare systems make early detection a routine part of primary care and will provide valuable insights from implementing the early detection blueprint across multiple sites," said Tim MacLeod, Ph.D., director of DAC Healthcare System Preparedness. "By working with two systems that will each deploy their program across five sites, we're refining a replicable model for early detection of cognitive decline that can be adopted and sustained nationwide, ultimately improving outcomes for millions of Americans."

Each healthcare system will receive seed funding to support the implementation of early detection programs across their five participating sites, along with coaching and technical assistance on program delivery from DAC experts based on the DAC-SP Early Detection Blueprint. The 12-month expanded program will run through the end of 2026, with participants engaging in monthly virtual community of practice meetings to share learnings and identify and solve common operational barriers across multiple implementation sites.

About the DAC Healthcare System Preparedness Program

The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Healthcare System Preparedness (DAC-SP) Program addresses the readiness of our healthcare systems worldwide for a global aging population, with an initial focus on improving rates of early detection and the timely and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. DAC-SP applies implementation science methods to turn research breakthroughs into lasting improvements in clinical practice. To accelerate and scale the delivery of cutting-edge treatments and innovations globally, DAC-SP shares learnings and best practices through Learning Laboratory meetings and its Early Detection Blueprint. In collaboration with our partners around the world, DAC-SP serves as a catalyst for transformative improvement within healthcare systems.

About the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative

The Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative (DAC) is a pioneering worldwide initiative to cure Alzheimer’s disease and improve brain health, seeking to mirror the success of global efforts against infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Covid, and Malaria. DAC is extending global research beyond its current focus on traditional Western European ethnic populations into the highly diversified populations of the Global South, where the vast majority of those with Alzheimer’s live. By introducing lower-cost screening and diagnostic tools as well as new treatment and prevention modalities in primary care and community health settings, DAC is driving implementation of health system solutions that are appropriate for worldwide application. DAC also promotes the vital importance of brain health throughout the lifespan by addressing cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors, especially in early and mid-life. Absent effective action at scale around the world, by 2050, more than 150 million families and half a billion people will be personally impacted by dementia, creating a social, financial, economic, and global security disaster of historic proportions. DAC was launched in Davos in 2021 by the World Economic Forum and the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease. For more information, please visit: davosalzheimerscollaborative.org.