RAND advances understanding of health and health behaviors and examines how the organization and financing of care affect costs, quality, and access. RAND's body of research—conducted primarily through the RAND Health division—includes innovative studies of health insurance, health care reform, health information technology, and women's health, as well as topical concerns such as obesity, complementary and alternative medicine, and PTSD in veterans and survivors of catastrophe.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
This cross-national study of the health effects of social capital found that higher levels of interpersonal trust with nations are associated with better health among individuals.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Nearly 40% of a nationally representative cohort of children started kindergarten with a BMI in the top quartile of the growth charts. This proportion increased significantly between 1st and 3rd grades but there was no further increase during middle school.
REPORT
Assesses whether a one-time $15 patient financial incentive, along with educational materials, would be effective in motivating people with hypertension (HTN) to see their personal physician, compared with educational materials only or no intervention; whether patient incentives and educational materials are differentially effective across racial/ethnic groups in motivating physician visits and improving blood pressure control; and whether…
COMMENTARY
Hospitals operating with little competition are able to charge health plans much higher prices, which are passed on to consumers in the form of higher insurance premiums, writes Glenn Melnick.
NEWS RELEASE
Use of retail medical clinics located in pharmacies and other retail settings increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009. The determining factors in choosing one over a physician's office were found to be age, health status, income, and proximity to the clinic.
RESEARCH BRIEF
Describes a new equipping strategy for the Army's Combat Support Hospitals.
NEWS RELEASE
With the health care safety net in California under stress from the state's continuing financial crisis, jurisdictions across the state face unprecedented challenges caring for the health and social service needs of people released from state prisons.
REPORT
With the health care safety net in California under stress from the state's continuing financial crisis, jurisdictions across the state face unprecedented challenges caring for the health and social service needs of people released from state prisons.
MULTIMEDIA
At this November 2011 Policy Forum, Jonathan Schleifer, policy director for Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America, joined RAND's Terry Schell for a discussion about the challenges faced by and experiences of recent combat veterans.
REPORT
The U.S. military has had a long-standing interest in the potential for dietary supplements to enhance performance and optimize health among military service personnel. An expert panel considered issues pertaining to the development, assessment (of both efficacy and safety), and regulation of multicomponent dietary supplements for the military.
COMMENTARY
A scientific and political case could be made to amend health care legislation to require that cost be included in the studies that the PCORI funds, writes Robert H. Brook.
TOOL
The U.S. Department of Defense sponsors many programs for servicemembers and their families. RAND compiled a searchable online catalog of 211 programs that address psychological health and traumatic brain injury.
REPORT
Despite the recent drawdown in Iraq, the high operational tempo of the past decade that has included longer and more-frequent deployments has resulted in significant mental health problems among some servicemembers. More than 200 programs are available to help treat psychological health and traumatic brain injury issues, but better coordination of those efforts is needed.
RESEARCH BRIEF
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.
NEWS RELEASE
Despite the recent drawdown in Iraq, the high operational tempo of the past decade that has included longer and more-frequent deployments has resulted in significant mental health problems among some service members. More than 200 programs are available to help treat psychological health and traumatic brain injury issues, but better coordination of those efforts is needed.
REPORT
Researchers obtained community group and resident input into the design of the new environmental center building at Frick Park and acquired information about residents' attitudes toward and use of Frick Park more generally. The authors offer recommendations for the design of the new building, for the structuring and content of center programs, for improving access to the park and the center, and for successfully marketing park programs.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Under bundled payments, doctors, hospitals, and other providers share one fee for treating all aspects of a procedure such as a hip replacement or a chronic disease like diabetes. The approach should eliminate unnecessary care and improve quality, but putting it into practice is proving to be more difficult than anticipated.
NEWS RELEASE
Under bundled payments, doctors, hospitals, and other providers share one fee for treating all aspects of a procedure such as a hip replacement or a chronic disease like diabetes. The approach should eliminate unnecessary care and improve quality, but putting it into practice is proving to be more difficult than anticipated.
REPORT
Three essays each focusing on one topic in economics of health behaviors in China.
REPORT
Explores quality and utilization of diabetes care in China.
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