Limited Access to Alzheimer's Treatments in Rural Georgia Raises Concerns

A recent study conducted by the University of Georgia highlights significant disparities in the availability of Alzheimer's disease treatment options for residents in rural parts of Georgia. The research focused on assessing both the accessibility of cutting-edge IV medication lecanemab, which can slow the progression of Alzheimer's, and diagnostic tools like PET scans across all 159 counties of the state.

The findings reveal a troubling lack of resources: none of Georgia’s rural counties have PET scan facilities, and only one has an infusion center for administering lecanemab. Consequently, residents in these areas face lengthy drives—often exceeding an hour for PET scans and over three hours for infusion centers—making the treatment process challenging and sometimes unfeasible.

Niying Li, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor at the UGA College of Pharmacy, emphasized the difficulties faced by rural populations. "Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires access to trained healthcare professionals, and starting treatment involves regular visits to infusion centers, which need caregivers to accompany patients due to possible side effects. Many rural residents find these barriers insurmountable, limiting their access to potentially life-changing therapies"

With over 188,000 Georgians currently living with Alzheimer's and many more providing unpaid care, the geographic disparities compound the burden on rural families. The centralization of infusion centers around Atlanta and the absence of diagnostic facilities in rural counties mean early treatment options are often out of reach for those who need them most.

Furthermore, a shortage of healthcare providers qualified to diagnose Alzheimer's and knowledge about advanced treatments like lecanemab further restrict access. Eighteen counties lack a family medicine doctor, many of which are rural, making accurate diagnosis and follow-up care even more difficult.

While lecanemab offers hope as one of the few drugs capable of delaying disease progression—despite its high costs and need for rigorous monitoring—the barriers to access highlight ongoing healthcare inequities. Improving resource distribution and increasing healthcare provider awareness are essential steps toward ensuring equitable care for all Alzheimer's patients.

This study underscores the urgent need to address regional disparities in healthcare infrastructure and professional training to provide timely and effective treatment to rural populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-rural-georgians-lack-access-alzheimer.html