Special Feature
Influences on Adolescent Sexual Behavior — November 2008
RAND Health has worked on multiple studies identifying the predictors and consequences of adolescent sexual intercourse. The most recent work, by Dr. Anita Chandra, is the first study to demonstrate a link between exposure to sexual content on television and the experience of a pregnancy before the age of 20.
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Archive »What's New in RAND Health Research
November RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
The November RAND Health Congressional newsletter includes research that finds a link between viewing sexual content on television and subsequent teen pregnancy, and research on improving accountability in public health emergency preparedness
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Method deployed to control for assumptions in drug treatment studies
The method of "principal stratification" can be used to control for assumptions made when estimating the effects of institutional treatment. These estimates can be inaccurate because institutions present high-risk environments for test subjects and assumed conditions within them may not be met.
Read abstractMore substance abuse research
Key element of high-quality primary care for the vulnerable elderly
Caring for the vulnerable elderly is a complex task. This research identifies important outcomes for that population and the key processes needed to achieve them. There is also discussion on restructuring the links in primary care practices to provide enhanced service.
Read abstractMore aging and health research
Organizational costs for quality improvement in depression care are significant
Organizational costs for improving the quality of depression care are significant and should be planned for when implementing an evidence-based depression-care program.
Read abstractMore quality of care research
The influence of treatment stage and retention in therapeutic community treatment
Using the Dimensions of Change Instrument, which assesses aspects of therapeutic community treatment, this study found that client scores at a given phase of treatment predicted the likelihood of retention at the next phase of treatment.
Read abstractMore quality of care research
Health Research Evaluation Frameworks: An International Comparison
This summary of findings from eight health research evaluation frameworks used in Europe and North America is meant to inform a Canadian Academy of Health Sciences assessment panel by providing an overview and comparison of international research evaluation frameworks.
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Fear in teen dating
This study examined the fearful and aversive aspects of adolescent dating. Fearful situations were found to be common in teen dating, and both genders experienced similar behaviors as they moved into new interpersonal situations.
Read abstractMore HIV, STDs, and sexual behavior research
Recommended infrastructure standards for mass antibiotic dispensing
This report provides recommended infrastructure standards for mass antibiotic dispensing at specific locations where the public would receive antibiotics or other medical countermeasures during a large-scale public health emergency.
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An examination of the costs and benefits of a unique patient identifier for the U.S. health care system
This analysis indicates that a health care system in which every patient has a unique, nondisclosing (i.e., containing no personal information) patient identifier is clearly desirable for reducing errors, simplifying interoperability, increasing efficiency, improving patient confidence, promoting NHIN architectural flexibility, and protecting patient privacy.
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RAND researcher José Escarce elected to the Institute of Medicine
José Escarce has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Election to the Institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Only 65 new members are elected annually. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large.
Read more from The Institute of Medicine
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This study focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury. The effect of traumatic brain injury is still poorly understood, leaving a large gap in knowledge related to how extensive the problem is or how to address it.
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