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Gabbard JL, Brenes GA, Callahan KE, Dharod A, Bundy R, Foley KL, Moses A, Williamson JD, Pajewski NM. Promoting serious illness conversations in primary care through telehealth among persons living with cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 39041185 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND serious illness conversations (SIC), particularly for persons living with cognitive impairment (PLCI), inconsistently happen in primary care. Pragmatic, scalable strategies are needed to promote SIC for PLCI. DESIGN Pragmatic, prospective single-arm pilot study that occurred between July 1, 2021 and May 30, 2022 across seven primary care practices in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling patients aged 65 and older with known or probable mild cognitive impairment or dementia (with decision-making capacity) and their care partners (if available). INTERVENTION SIC telehealth intervention (TeleVoice) via video or telephone to assist PLCI in discussing their current goals, values, and future medical preferences, while facilitating documentation within the EHR. MAIN OUTCOMES Main feasibility outcomes included reach/enrollment, intervention completion, and adoption rates at the clinic and provider level. Primary effectiveness outcomes included SIC documentation and quality within the EHR and usage of advance care planning billing (ACP) codes. RESULTS Of the 163 eligible PLCI approached, 107 (66%) enrolled (mean age 83.7 years, 68.2% female, 16.8% Black, 22% living in a geographic area of high socioeconomic disadvantage) and 81 (76%) completed the SIC telehealth intervention; 45 care partners agreed to participate (mean age 71.5 years, 80% female). Adoption at clinic level was 50%, while 75% of providers within these clinics participated. Among PLCI that completed the intervention, SIC documentation and usage of ACP billing codes was 100% and 96%, respectively, with 96% (n = 78) having high-quality SIC documentation. No significant differences were observed between telephone and video visits. CONCLUSION These findings provide preliminary evidence to support the feasibility of conducting SICs through telehealth to specifically meet the needs of community-dwelling PLCI. Further investigation of the sustainability of the intervention and its long-term impact on patient and caregiver outcomes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Gabbard
- Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gretchen A Brenes
- Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kathryn E Callahan
- Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ajay Dharod
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richa Bundy
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristie L Foley
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adam Moses
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeff D Williamson
- Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas M Pajewski
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Gleason KT, Wu MMJ, Wec A, Powell DS, Zhang T, Gamper MJ, Green AR, Nothelle S, Amjad H, Wolff JL. Use of the patient portal among older adults with diagnosed dementia and their care partners. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5663-5671. [PMID: 37354066 PMCID: PMC10808947 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Care partners are at the forefront of dementia care, yet little is known about patient portal use in the context of dementia diagnosis. METHODS We conducted an observational cohort study of date/time-stamped patient portal use for a 5-year period (October 3, 2017-October 2, 2022) at an academic health system. The cohort consisted of 3170 patients ages 65+ with diagnosed dementia with 2+ visits within 24 months. Message authorship was determined by manual review of 970 threads involving 3065 messages for 279 patients. RESULTS Most (71.20%) older adults with diagnosed dementia were registered portal users but far fewer (10.41%) had a registered care partner with shared access. Care partners authored most (612/970, 63.09%) message threads, overwhelmingly using patient identity credentials (271/279, 97.13%). DISCUSSION The patient portal is used by persons with dementia and their care partners. Organizational efforts that facilitate shared access may benefit the support of persons with dementia and their care partners. Highlights Patient portal registration and use has been increasing among persons with diagnosed dementia. Two thirds of secure messages from portal accounts of patients with diagnosed dementia were identified as being authored by care partners, primarily using patient login credentials. Care partners who accessed the patient portal using their own identity credentials through shared access demonstrate similar levels of activity to patients without dementia. Organizational initiatives should recognize and support the needs of persons with dementia and their care partners by encouraging awareness, registration, and use of proper identity credentials, including shared, or proxy, portal access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly T. Gleason
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mingche M. J. Wu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aleksandra Wec
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle S. Powell
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Talan Zhang
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary Jo Gamper
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ariel R. Green
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie Nothelle
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Halima Amjad
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Wolff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Gabbard JL, Carpenter JG, Ernecoff NC, Mournighan K, Cornea I, McKone M, Hanson LC. Evaluating the pragmatic characteristics of advance care planning outcome measures in dementia clinical trials: A scoping review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:3595-3608. [PMID: 37439456 PMCID: PMC10787044 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that involves discussing a person's goals, values, and preferences; it is particularly important for persons living with dementia (PLWD) given that dementia is incurable and progressive. To ensure results that will impact real-world practices, ACP outcome measures must be psychometrically strong, meaningful to key partners, and pragmatic to collect. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review of outcome measures utilized in ACP randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling PLWD or their care partners and evaluated their pragmatic characteristics. METHODS We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed ACP RCTs enrolling PLWD or their care partners from 2011 to 2021. We abstracted characteristics of primary and secondary outcome measures, including pragmatic characteristics using an adapted Psychometric and Pragmatic Evidence Rating Scale and ACP outcome domains using the standardized ACP Outcome Framework (i.e., process, action, healthcare, or quality of care). RESULTS We included 21 ACP RCTs. Trials included 103 outcome measures (39 primary and 64 secondary), of which 11% measured process, 14% measured action, 49% measured healthcare, and 26% measured quality of care. Twenty-four (23%) outcome measures were highly pragmatic, the majority of which (67%) reflected healthcare outcome measures. Sixty-one (59%) outcomes were assessed as highly relevant to PLWD or their care partners. Only 20% (n = 21) of outcome measures were embedded into clinical practice. Most (62%) RCTs were conducted in nursing homes, and 33% were focused PLWD with advanced stage disease. CONCLUSIONS In RCTs testing ACP interventions to support PLWD, only 23% of outcome measures were highly pragmatic, and most of these measured healthcare utilizations. Outcome assessments were rarely integrated into the EHR during routine clinical care. New outcome measures that address the lived experience of PLWD and their care partners plus have high pragmatic characteristics are needed for embedded pragmatic clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Gabbard
- School of Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joan G Carpenter
- School of Nursing, Department of Organizational and Adult Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Mournighan
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Isabella Cornea
- School of Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mark McKone
- School of Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura C Hanson
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Yoo JW, Reed PS, Shen JJ, Carson J, Kang M, Reeves J, Kim Y, Choe I, Kim P, Kim L, Kang HT, Tabrizi M. Impact of Advance Care Planning on the Hospitalization-Associated Utilization and Cost of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease-Related Disorders Receiving Primary Care via Telehealth in a Provider Shortage Area: A Quantitative Pre-Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6157. [PMID: 37372743 PMCID: PMC10298291 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Telehealth has been adopted as an alternative to in-person primary care visits. With multiple participants able to join remotely, telehealth can facilitate the discussion and documentation of advance care planning (ACP) for those with Alzheimer's disease-related disorders (ADRDs). We measured hospitalization-associated utilization outcomes, instances of hospitalization and 90-day re-hospitalizations from payors' administrative databases and verified the data via electronic health records. We estimated the hospitalization-associated costs using the Nevada State Inpatient Dataset and compared the estimated costs between ADRD patients with and without ACP documentation in the year 2021. Compared to the ADRD patients without ACP documentation, those with ACP documentation were less likely to be hospitalized (mean: 0.74; standard deviation: 0.31; p < 0.01) and were less likely to be readmitted within 90 days of discharge (mean: 0.16; standard deviation: 0.06; p < 0.01). The hospitalization-associated cost estimate for ADRD patients with ACP documentation (mean: USD 149,722; standard deviation: USD 80,850) was less than that of the patients without ACP documentation (mean: USD 200,148; standard deviation: USD 82,061; p < 0.01). Further geriatrics workforce training is called for to enhance ACP competencies for ADRD patients, especially in areas with provider shortages where telehealth plays a comparatively more important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Won Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Peter S. Reed
- Sanford Center for Aging, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Jay J. Shen
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA (Y.K.)
| | - Jennifer Carson
- Sanford Center for Aging, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Mingon Kang
- Department of Computer Science, Howard Hughes College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | | | - Yonsu Kim
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA (Y.K.)
| | - Ian Choe
- Telehealth Divison, Optum Care Network of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89128, USA;
| | - Pearl Kim
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA (Y.K.)
| | - Laurie Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Hee-Taik Kang
- Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Maryam Tabrizi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
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Wolff JL, DesRoches CM, Amjad H, Burgdorf JG, Caffrey M, Fabius CD, Gleason KT, Green AR, Lin CT, Nothelle SK, Peereboom D, Powell DS, Riffin CA, Lum HD. Catalyzing dementia care through the learning health system and consumer health information technology. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2197-2207. [PMID: 36648146 PMCID: PMC10182243 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To advance care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), real-world health system effectiveness research must actively engage those affected to understand what works, for whom, in what setting, and for how long-an agenda central to learning health system (LHS) principles. This perspective discusses how emerging payment models, quality improvement initiatives, and population health strategies present opportunities to embed best practice principles of ADRD care within the LHS. We discuss how stakeholder engagement in an ADRD LHS when embedding, adapting, and refining prototypes can ensure that products are viable when implemented. Finally, we highlight the promise of consumer-oriented health information technologies in supporting persons living with ADRD and their care partners and delivering embedded ADRD interventions at scale. We aim to stimulate progress toward sustainable infrastructure paired with person- and family-facing innovations that catalyze broader transformation of ADRD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Wolff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine M DesRoches
- OpenNotes/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Halima Amjad
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julia G Burgdorf
- Center for Home Care Policy & Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melanie Caffrey
- Springer Science+Business Media LLC, Oracle Magazine, Computer Technology and Applications Program, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chanee D Fabius
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly T Gleason
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ariel R Green
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Stephanie K Nothelle
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle Peereboom
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle S Powell
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine A Riffin
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hillary D Lum
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Ball DE, Mattke S, Frank L, Murray JF, Noritake R, MacLeod T, Benham‐Hermetz S, Kurzman A, Ferrell P. A framework for addressing Alzheimer's disease: Without a frame, the work has no aim. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 19:1568-1578. [PMID: 36478657 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Confronting Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves patients, healthcare professionals, supportive services, caregivers, and government agencies interacting along a continuum from initial awareness to diagnosis, treatment, support, and care. This complex scope presents a challenge for health system transformation supporting individuals at risk for, or diagnosed with, AD. The AD systems preparedness framework was developed to help health systems identify specific opportunities to implement and evaluate focused improvement programs. The framework is purposely flexible to permit local adaptation across different health systems and countries. Health systems can develop solutions tailored to system-specific priorities considered within the context of the overall framework. Example metric concepts and initiatives are provided for each of ten areas of focus. Examples of funded projects focusing on screening and early detection are provided. It is our hope that stakeholders utilize the common framework to generate and share additional implementation evidence to benefit individuals with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Ball
- Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
| | - Soeren Mattke
- Center for Economic and Social Research University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Lori Frank
- The New York Academy of Medicine New York New York USA
| | - James F. Murray
- Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
| | - Ryoji Noritake
- Health and Global Policy Institute, Grand Cube 3F, Otemachi Financial City Global Business Hub Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Timothy MacLeod
- Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
- Bridgeable Toronto Ontario USA
| | | | - Alissa Kurzman
- Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
- High Lantern Group Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
- World Economic Forum New York New York USA
| | - Phyllis Ferrell
- Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
- Eli Lilly and Company Lilly Corporate Center Indianapolis Indiana USA
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de Levante Raphael D. The Knowledge and Attitudes of Primary Care and the Barriers to Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58070906. [PMID: 35888625 PMCID: PMC9320284 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary care physicians play a vital role in the clinical care of their patients, early identification of dementia, and disease advocacy. It is essential to assess the knowledge and attitudes of physicians in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. In primary care, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is often missed or delayed. With the increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and the growing impact of dementia on health care resources, early detection by primary care physicians (PCP) is essential. Thus, their knowledge and attitudes about early detection and diagnosis are crucial. To examine the knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and how barriers may contribute to missed and delayed detection and diagnosis. An interpretive scope review was used to synthesize and analyze a body of literature published over the past decade. The study population are physicians in the United States. The current health systems experience challenges in providing early, safe, accurate, and comprehensive Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care by a primary care physician trained or knowledgeable in diagnosing the various forms of dementia. This article identifies several interrelated obstacles to early detection and diagnosis in primary dementia care, including gaps in knowledge, attitudes, skills, and resources for person with dementia (PWD)/caregivers and their primary care providers and systematic and structural barriers that negatively impact dementia care. Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease has gone underdiagnosed and undertreated. Delays in detection, diagnosis, and resource utilization may have social and clinical implications for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and their families, including challenges in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Until the issues of missed and delayed Alzheimer’s screening become more compelling, efforts to promote early detection and diagnosis should focus on the education of physicians and removing the barriers to diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna de Levante Raphael
- National Memory Screening Department, The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, New York, NY 10001, USA
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