on Facebook
on Twitter
on YouTube
Public Health
Public health considers health issues from the perspective of the population rather than that of the individual. Public health policy is shaped by health agencies at the city, county, state, and federal level, 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 Studies" summaries, including "Diversity and Health," "Public Health Systems and Preparedness," and "Neighborhoods and Health."
Profiles of Current Research
Highlights of Recent Studies
Are Communities Ready to Conduct Rapid and Large-Scale Dispensing of Medications During a Public Health Emergency?
The federal Cities Readiness Initiative appears to have improved communities' readiness to rapidly dispense needed medications and other supplies on a large scale.
Do Neighborhood Economic Conditions Influence the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables?
Neighborhood affluence appears to explain many of the differences observed between whites, blacks, and Mexican-Americans in their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Constrained Choice: Why Are Some Women and Men Able to Create and Maintain Healthy Lifestyles, While Others Are Not?
Some of the health differences among men and women may be explained in part by policy decisions at the family, work, community, and government levels that can have unintended consequences that prevent healthy behaviors.
How Schools Responded to Student Mental Health Needs Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Despite significant efforts to meet the mental health needs of students and staff faced with such stressful events as injury and homelessness after the hurricanes, many schools were limited in their ability to implement disaster-focused programs, indicating a need for better precrisis training in mental health programs.
Related Web Sites
RAND Gulf States Policy Institute
http://www.rand.org/gulf-states/
Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services
RAND Center for Population Health and Health Disparities
http://www.rand.org/health/centers/pophealth
Empowering Community Coalitions to Prevent Substance Abuse (Getting To Outcomes™)
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: Shirley Ruhe (Shirley_Ruhe@rand.org).
The RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
Top