Public Health
Public health considers health issues from the perspective of the population rather than the individual. Public health policy is shaped by health agencies at the city, county, state, and federal levels, as well as by health care and community organizations. RAND Health conducts research on many public health issues, including disaster preparedness and recovery; surveillance, prevention, and management of infectious disease outbreaks; screening for and prevention of chronic diseases; and strengthening the public health infrastructure. Some of RAND Health’s ongoing work in these areas is highlighted here. More public health research can be found in other “Current Research On” summaries, including Diversity and Health, Public Health Systems and Preparedness, and Neighborhood Influences on Health.
Profiles of Current Research
Highlights of Recent Studies
Post-Katrina Project Demonstrates a Rapid Participatory Assessment of Health Care and Develops a Partnership for Post-Disaster Recovery in New Orleans
A community-based participatory research study aimed at identifying and addressing health concerns among vulnerable populations after Hurricane Katrina found barriers to care access and disparities among particular vulnerable populations, but also discovered resources and a sense of hope in the communities involved.
Hold the Salt: Lowering Sodium Intake Would Improve Health and Save Money
Using a simulation model, researchers calculated that reducing average U.S. consumption of salt to meet the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines could eliminate at least 11 million cases of high blood pressure nationally, which could in turn extend the lives of thousands of people, improve quality of life, and lower health care costs.
Risk Communication in the Early Stages of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Alert: How Effective Were State and Local Public Health Departments?
This assessment of how effectively state and local health departments communicated information via the web about the outbreak of H1N1 to their constituents within 24 hours of the declaration of an emergency found that nearly all state health departments delivered timely, accessible information to their constituents, covering the requisite range of topics, but that far fewer local jurisdictions did so.
Related Websites
Working with Congress
RAND’s Office of Congressional Relations (OCR) furthers RAND’s mission to provide objective analysis and effective solutions by disseminating research results to Congress and federal agencies. OCR publishes a monthly electronic newsletter featuring current work on health policy. The RAND Health Congressional Newsletter is found at www.rand.org/congress/newsletters.html. Contact: Winfield Boerckel (winfield_boerckel@rand.org).
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