Lianlian Lei, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Medical School
Available to mentor
Lianlian Lei, PhD
Assistant Professor
Manage Your Profile
About
Dr. Lei earned her Ph.D. in Health Services Research & Policy from the University of Rochester. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI). She aims to improve health and wellbeing of frail, older adults through rigorous research that could impact health policy.
Links
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hTAUpukAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao https://x.com/LianlianLei
Qualifications
-
Postdoctoral Research FellowUniversity of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Geriatric Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, United States
2020 - 2023
Postdoctoral Fellowship
-
Ph.D., Health Services Research and PolicyUniversity of Rochester, Rochester, United States
2014 - 2020
-
M.A., EconomicsShanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China
2011 - 2013
-
B.S., EconomicsSouthwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
2007 - 2011
Center Memberships
-
Center MemberInstitute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation
Research Overview
Dr. Lei’s research focuses on aging, dementia care, caregivers, and Medicare Advantage. She uses nationally representative survey and claims data and causal inference methodologies to examine factors linked with health care costs and utilization among older adults, particularly those living with dementia. Dr. Lei is currently studying the impact of informal caregiving on health care use of both older adults with dementia and caregivers. Dr. Lei is also interested in the impact of Medicare Advantage on health care among older adults.
Recent Publications
-
Bonar E, Solway E, Lei L, Kirch M, Singer D, Strunk S, Roberts JS, Malani P. Innovation in Aging, 2026 Jan 4; 9 (Supplement_2): igaf122.1969Journal ArticleOlder Adults’ Perspectives on and Experiences with Cannabis Use: Results From the 2024 National Poll on Healthy Aging
DOI:10.1093/geroni/igaf122.1969 PMID: PMC12763590 -
Kadambi S, Kehoe L, Wells M, Patil A, Lei L, Lewis-Thames MW, Job A, Zhang Y, Flannery M, Gilmore N, Vogel VG, Philip T, Hopkins JO, Whitehead M, Magnuson A, Mohile S, Norton SA. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 2025 Jan 1; 16 (1):Journal Article“I have a doctor that handles all the other stuff.” Perceptions of older adults with cancer about discussing aging-related conditions with their oncologists
DOI:10.1016/j.jgo.2024.102065 PMID: 39261195 -
Lei L, Langa K, Norton E, Levy H, Kim HM, Blow F, Maust D. Innovation in Aging, 2025 Jan 2; 8 (Supplement_1): 973 - 973.Journal ArticleHEALTH CARE USE AMONG SPOUSE CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
DOI:10.1093/geroni/igae098.3133 PMID: PMC11691912 -
Lei L, Levy H, Ankuda C, Hoffman GJ, Kim HM, Strominger J, Maust DT. JAMA, 2024 Apr 16; 331 (15): 1322 - 1325.Journal ArticlePartner Plan Choices and Medicare Advantage Enrollment Decisions among Older Adults
DOI:10.1001/jama.2024.1773 PMID: 38506841 -
Lei L, Lam K, Tipirneni R, Maust D. 2023 Nov 23;Proceeding / Abstract / Poster"Impact of State Home and Community-Based Services on Institutionalization and Other Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid"
-
Lei L. 2024 Jan 24;Additional Scholarship'Sandwich generation' meaning: These caregivers log 50 hours a week
-
Lei L, Choi HJ, Maust D. 2023 Oct 23;Proceeding / Abstract / Poster"Economic Implications of Dementia Within A Family"
-
Lei L, Maust DT, Leggett AN. Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2023 Oct 1; 78 (10): 1727 - 1734.Journal ArticleFunctional Decline Over Time and Change in Family and Other Unpaid Care Provided to Community-Dwelling Older Adults Living With and Without Dementia
DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbad107 PMID: 37527557
Featured News & Stories
Department News
Lianlian Lei, Ph.D., quoted in Parents story: Nearly 1 in 4 Adults Are in the ‘Sandwich Generation’—Here’s What That Really Means for Families
Adults are part of the 'sandwich generation' if they are caring for both their children and their aging parents.
Health Lab
5 things everyone with Medicare should do right now
Part D prescription coverage and Medigap can be confusing. Follow these tips informed by U-M research.
Health Lab
As Medicare turns 60, research shows more need for enrollment help
Medicare research shows many older adults don’t get help or don’t use the internet to pick a plan that’s right for them, and that people with dementia make similar choices to those without.
Department News
'Sandwich generation' caregivers caught between two generations in need
Sandwich caregivers juggle raising kids and caring for aging parents, facing emotional, financial, and health challenges from their dual roles.
