Many complex issues surround the use of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy as HIV prevention, and seen in the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision to consider an ARV drug not just for HIV treatment but also to prevent HIV/AIDS. RAND Europe is partnering with several organisations on Mapping Pathways, a project exploring potential treatment regimes and conducting research, community engagement, and policy work in the U.S., India, and South Africa.
The performance of health systems is a key determinant of the inclusiveness of economic growth. Exclusionary, poor quality health care worsens impoverishment, while inclusive health care redistributes the benefits of growth toward the poor and ill. With Kenya and Tanzania as case studies, RAND Europe is exploring the extent to which unexploited potential synergies between industrial development and health systems can strengthen and contribute to faster and more inclusive growth?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags offer benefits to product lifecycle management and can help indicate how best to recycle products, but they also introduce extraneous metals and materials into the recycling stream. RAND Europe and its two research partners released an interim report on their analysis of the environmental costs and benefits of "smart trash" and are seeking public and stakeholder input.
The National Institute for Health Research established nine Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs) and has commissioned RAND Europe and the Health Economics Research Group at Brunel University to evaluate and learn from the CLAHRCs approach. The goal of the project is to focus on the gap in translating applied research advances into innovations in health and social care, for patient benefit.
Internet Innovation and Privacy Friendly Online Services
The growth of the internet as a tool for engagement between individuals means it has also become an increasingly important 'space' for business innovation. There is a demand for, and market in, information; and there are concerns to protect personal data. RAND Europe will lead a consortium, commissioned by the European Parliament, to study these issues and related policies. The study will explore ways to promote internet-based innovation and competition in the EU while respecting citizens' right to privacy.
What Impact Will Online Energy-Efficiency Ratings Have on the EU’s Lisbon Strategy?
The EU's Lisbon Strategy has a targeted goal of 20% energy efficiency gains by 2020. EU Directive 2010/30/EC has therefore mandated energy efficiency labels on a wider variety of products than was previously the case and further requires this information to be made available online. RAND Europe is assessing the impacts of measures intended to implement this requirement by ensuring that A-G Energy Efficiency rating information is displayed in online sales, rental, and search environments.
Assessing the Evidence Base for Pharmaceutical R&D Models
As research-based drug development is widely viewed as crucial to improving patient health, the pharmaceuticals sector is heavily reliant — and spends a great deal — on research and development. However, there is considerable debate about different R&D models: for example, is it more successful when conducted in a closed, in-house environment or through open networks and partnerships? To help answer this question, Pfizer has asked RAND Europe to investigate the evidence base.
To improve the translation of mental health research into faster cures and better treatments, RAND Europe and the Graham Boeckh Foundation have created 'SOS for Mental Health', or the Science of Science for Mental Health Research Network. Conceived as a 'think tank without borders', the Network convenes funders of mental health research in Canada, the UK and elsewhere, along with mental health scientists and practitioners, and policy researchers, to identify a 'living' portfolio of policy research that will lead to improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of research funding.
RAND Europe Aids Policy Research in Science and Medicine (PRISM)
To support decision-making in the research sector, particularly the Department of Health’s research and development directorate, RAND Europe is hosting a research unit on Policy Research in Science and Medicine (PRISM). Specific PRISM work streams include supporting the operational decisions of the National Institute for Health Research and researching the 'science of science', or the actual practice of scientific research.
RAND Europe is evaluating the Wellcome Trust's African Institutions Initiative. The initiative funds consortia to build sustainable, independent health research capacity at African universities and research organisations, to promote research collaboration and to train individuals for research careers in Africa. RAND Europe will evaluate the performance of research consortia and the initiative overall and will share learning about African-led and networked research capacity building models.
In 2009, the European Commission proposed the development of a public-private partnership for the Internet of the future. A consortium of European research organisations, led by RAND Europe, is examining the "FI3P" to identify its potential economic and societal longer-term impacts; identify any economic, legal and societal barriers to the competitiveness of European Internet industry, and assess ways to mitigate them; and provide policy recommendations grounded in the team's analysis.
Since 2003, Ofcom has overseen the broader UK communications market as a converged communications regulator. At the request of the National Audit Office, RAND Europe is evaluating Ofcom's performance compared with that of other international regulators that are dealing with similar challenges, such as next generation access networks and access to emergency services using voice-over-internet protocol.
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