Most Current Research Briefs

How Does Health Reform Affect the Health Care Workforce? Lessons from Massachusetts — 2011

Since Massachusetts enacted health reform legislation in 2006, health care employment in the state has grown more rapidly than in the rest of the United States, primarily in administrative positions.

Improving Value for Money in Funding HIV Services in Developing Countries — 2011

This brief summarizes options for improving value for money in HIV funding by using a case study that focuses on the two largest funders, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund, and antiretroviral therapy.

What Are the Public Health Implications of Prisoner Reentry in California? — 2011

Examines the health care needs of released California prisoners, communities most affected by reentry, safety net capacity, and provider experiences with ex-prisoners, given California's Public Safety Realignment Plan and federal health care reform.

Reducing Costs, Increasing Capability: A New Equipping Strategy for Combat Support Hospitals — 2011

Describes a new equipping strategy for the Army's Combat Support Hospitals.

Addressing Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Among Servicemembers and Their Families: Existing Department of Defense Programs and Options for Improvement — 2011

Provides overviews and detailed descriptions of 211 programs currently sponsored or funded by the Department of Defense to address psychological health and traumatic brain injury, along with recommendations to maximize program effectiveness.

The Cost and Quality of VA Mental Health Services — 2011

The quality of mental health care delivered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is generally as good or better than care delivered by private health plans, although it falls short of the high standards set in VA guidelines.

Malpractice Risk, by Physician Specialty — 2011

Large variations exist across medical specialties in the frequency of malpractice claims and the amount paid on them. Most physicians face at least one claim during their careers, but most claims do not result in a payment.

Reducing the Impact of Children's Exposure to Violence: Results of the National Evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches — 2011

RAND's evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches identified program successes and challenges in implementing programs for children exposed to violence. The evaluation results, though largely inconclusive, can inform similar efforts going forward.

Why Are Many Emergency Departments in the United States Closing? — 2011

Between 1990 and 2009, the number of emergency rooms (ERs) in nonrural U.S. hospitals declined by 27 percent (from 2,446 to 1,779). Economic factors play a central role in an ER's ability to remain open.

How Does Growth in Health Care Costs Affect the American Family? — 2011

Health care costs nearly doubled between 1999 and 2009, which left the average 2009 family with only $95 more per month than in 1999. If costs had matched the consumer price index's rise, the average family would have an additional $450 per month.

Preventing Obesity and Its Consequences: Highlights of RAND Health Research — 2011

Summarizes key RAND studies on the causes of obesity, its economic and health consequences, and potential strategies for prevention, including work on health care costs, junk food, food deserts, school meals, and proximity of parks.

How Should Drugs be Identified in Electronic Prescribing Systems? — 2011

RxNorm has potential to improve how medications are represented in e-prescribing transactions.

What Is the Impact of Using Evidence-Based Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Veterans? — 2011

If all veterans suffering from major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder were to receive evidence-based treatments, policy simulations suggest that cost savings generated would be $138 million (15 percent) over two years.

Should the Joint Medical Education and Training Campus Have an Office of Institutional Research? — 2011

Two goals of the joint medical training and education campus at Ft. Sam Houston are to become a high-performing learning organization and an accredited, degree-granting institution. A research and evaluation capability would help it meet these goals.

What Is the Impact of Workplace Policies to Promote Influenza Vaccination Among Health Care Personnel? — 2011

Promoting Flu Vaccination Among Health Care Personnel

Are Breast Implants Linked to a Rare Form of Lymphoma? — 2011

A RAND Corporation review of the literature suggests that breast implants are associated with a rare form of lymphoma, but an expert panel believes that the disease can be managed by surgical removal of the implant.

Better Understanding the Needs of Veterans in New York State — 2011

Shares results of a study assessing the broad array of challenges that returning veterans face at the state level, including a range of mental health concerns, problems finding jobs commensurate with their skills, and complicated health care systems.

High-Deductible Health Plans Cut Spending but Also Reduce Preventive Care — 2011

High-deductible plans significantly reduce health care spending but also lead consumers to cut back on their use of preventive health care -- even though high-deductible plans waive the deductible for such care.

How Will Health Care Reform Affect Costs and Coverage? Examples from Five States — 2011

Projects how the coverage-related provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect health insurance coverage and state government spending on health care in five states.

Building Community Resilience to Disasters: A Roadmap to Guide Local Planning — 2011

Examines ways in which communities can improve their ability to withstand and recover from adversity.

Developing Custodians of Care: Military Medical Leadership — 2011

The Military Health System faces a range of challenges, and effective leadership is key to meeting them. Approaches used by other organizations could guide improvements in how military health care leaders are selected, developed, and incentivized.

The War Within: Suicide Prevention in the U.S. Military — 2011

The increasing number of suicides is causing concern in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Suicide-prevention programs in DoD and across the services have some (but not all) of the characteristics of comprehensive programs.

Seasonal Flu Vaccination: Why Don't More Americans Get It? — 2011

RAND researchers found that less than half of U.S. adults received flu vaccinations in 2010. Strategies to increase flu vaccination rates should include stronger efforts to address public skepticism and negative perceptions.

Will Adoption of Electronic Health Records Improve Quality in U.S. Hospitals? — 2011

Shares findings on the potential effects of electronic health records (EHRs) on health care quality, based on analysis of extensive data from 2003 and 2006 on EHR adoption, hospital characteristics, and hospital quality in nearly 2,100 hospitals.

Views from the Homefront: How Military Youth and Spouses Are Coping with Deployment — 2011

Reports the results of a longitudinal study of youth from military families and their caregivers concerning their emotional well-being and how well they are coping with servicemembers' extended deployments.