Johanna Thunell, PhD

Johanna Thunell is a research scientist at the Sol Price School of Public Policy and Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics.

She studies Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias prevalence, risk and care, as well as the health and wellbeing of family members caring for persons living with dementia. Her research agenda explores the effect of policies and regulations on individual health and economic outcomes, and racial and ethnic disparities. Recent work includes studies on the relationship between non-Alzheimer’s disease drugs and dementia risk, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and detection of dementia at Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visits.

Thunell holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Southern California, an MPA from San Francisco State University, and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Recent Work

Cognitive Assessment At Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit In Fee-For-Service And Medicare Advantage Plans

The study provides new insights – the self-reports of survey respondents – into cognitive assessments at annual wellness visits, an area that has been somewhat hidden from view.
Categorized in
- Research
- Journal Articles
Older Adults Living Alone Report Higher Rates of Anxiety and Depression

One-quarter of older adults live alone – more than in any other country. Social and physical restrictions may pose particular challenges for these individuals.

By Julie Zissimopoulos, PhD and Johanna Thunell, PhD
Categorized in
- Evidence Base
Measuring Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias in Diverse Populations Using Medicare Claims Data

The researchers examined how methods used for identifying dementia in administrative claims affected dementia incidence across racial/ethnic populations using a 100% sample of Medicare beneficiaries.
Categorized in
Simulating the Change in Young Adult Homeownership Through 2035: Effects of Growing Diversity and Rising Educational Attainment

The researchers find that rising education levels—even if minority-white college education gaps were eliminated completely—would only partially reverse the steep declines in young-adult homeownership attainment witnessed since the onset of the housing bust.
Categorized in
- Research
- Journal Articles

Johanna Thunell, PhD's Bio

Recent Work

Cognitive Assessment At Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit In Fee-For-Service And Medicare Advantage Plans

Older Adults Living Alone Report Higher Rates of Anxiety and Depression

Measuring Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias in Diverse Populations Using Medicare Claims Data

Simulating the Change in Young Adult Homeownership Through 2035: Effects of Growing Diversity and Rising Educational Attainment