David M. Adamson

Senior Research Communications Analyst

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in English language and literature, University of California, Los Angeles; M.A. in English language and literature, University of California, Los Angeles; B.A. in English, Yale University

One Page Bio

Overview

David Adamson is a senior research communications analyst (RCA) at the RAND Corporation and the lead RCA for RAND Health Care. He works with RAND Health Care management and research staff to develop division- and project-level communication strategies, assess the effectiveness of these strategies, and develop and improve the messaging, clarity, and audience appropriateness of research communications. He also drafts research briefs, newsletters, division overview materials, and web content and helps craft proposals. He has worked across all of RAND's research divisions. Adamson holds a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Selected Publications

Resetar, Susan A., Abbie Tingstad, Joshua Mendelsohn, Miriam E. Marlier, Beth E. Lachman, Katherine Anania, Chandra Garber, and David M. Adamson, Recovery Planning for Natural Resources and Parks in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume I, RAND Corporation (RR-2605), 2020

Resetar, Susan A., James V. Marrone, Joshua Mendelsohn, Amy Schwartzman, and David M. Adamson, Cultural and Historical Resources Recovery Planning in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume II, RAND Corporation (RR-2859), 2020

Shih, Regina A., Joie D. Acosta, Emily K. Chen, Eric G. Carbone, Lea Xenakis, David M. Adamson, and Anita Chandra, Improving Disaster Resilience Among Older Adults: Insights from Public Health Departments and Aging-in-Place Efforts, RAND Corporation (RR-2313), 2018

Farmer, Carrie M., Susan D. Hosek, and David M. Adamson, Balancing Demand and Supply for Veterans' Health Care: A Summary of Three RAND Assessments Conducted Under the Veterans Choice Act, RAND Corporation (RR-1165z4), 2016

Nowak, Sarah A., Christine Eibner, David M. Adamson, and Evan Saltzman, Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Consumer Health Care Spending and Risk of Catastrophic Health Costs, RAND Corporation (RR-383), 2013

Williams, Valerie L., Elisa Eiseman, Eric Landree, and David M. Adamson, Demonstrating and Communicating Research Impact: Preparing NIOSH Programs for External Review, RAND Corporation (MG-809), 2009

David Adamson "Chapter One," in The RAND Corporation, Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery, RAND Corporation (MG-720), 2008

Lynn, Joanne, David M. Adamson, Living Well at the End of Life: Adapting Health Care to Serious Chronic Illness in Old Age, RAND Corporation (WP-137), 2003

Honors & Awards

Spotlight Awards (2) 2021
Medal Award Key Contributor Awards (2) 2018, New York Single-Payer; Puerto Rico Recovery
Spotlight Award, 2015, RAND

Languages

English; Spanish (reading); Classical Greek (reading)

Commentary

Mental Health Treatment

How a New Tool Could Help Mental Health Providers Deliver More Effective Care
The mental health workforce needs the proper tools to meet the needs of the communities it serves. A key element of this is high-quality training in how to deliver evidence-based treatments. RAND developed a new tool designed to assess how well a specific training aligns with the most critical features of effective training.
Mar 1, 2019
The RAND Blog
Health Insurance

RAND Helps to Develop From Coverage to Care, a New CMS Initiative
Health coverage is a means to an end: the aim is to help more Americans use their coverage to access routine primary care and preventive services. For many of the newly insured, however, the leap between obtaining insurance and establishing a regular source of care is substantial.
Jul 29, 2014
The RAND Blog
Prescription Drug Benefits

When Patients Don't Take Their Medicine: What Role Do Doctors Play in Promoting Prescription Adherence?
A new paradigm that clarifies joint provider–patient responsibility may be needed to better guide communication about medication adherence, write Douglas S. Bell and David M. Adamson.
Aug 29, 2012
Mental Health Treatment

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Significant Public Health Problem
In recognition of National Mental Health Month, May 2012, we spotlight posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and RAND's work to advance understanding and treatment of this condition, which affects many more people than is commonly thought.
May 14, 2012

Publications

Report
Small Businesses, Criminal Histories, and the Paycheck Protection Program
In this report, researchers estimate how many small businesses have owners with criminal history records and how many businesses were potentially affected by Paycheck Protection Program restrictions on applicants with felony records.
Jun 21, 2021
Report
Recovery Planning for Natural Resources and Parks in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume I
The 2017 hurricanes harmed Puerto Rico's natural resources. Recommended courses of action, detailed in this report, would restore natural resources, manage solid waste, renew parks, and improve economic opportunities. Damage is characterized.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Cultural and Historical Resources Recovery Planning in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume II
Many of Puerto Rico's cultural resources were devastated in Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The authors discuss their importance, the damage they endured immediately after the storms, and detail recovery actions in Puerto Rico's recovery plan.
Sep 30, 2020
Journal Article
Guidebook for Multi-Agency Collaboration for Sustainability and Resilience
This guidebook provides a framework and practical advice for how to establish and sustain multi-agency collaborations that seek to address wide-ranging comprehensive policy objectives.
Mar 11, 2020
Research Brief
Federal Block Grants to States for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Homelessness: Potential Improvements to Funding Formulas
RAND researchers analyzed the formulas for distributing funds to states under three block grants for services related to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness (unchanged since 1992) to determine whether they should be modified.
Jun 19, 2019
Report
Review and Evaluation of the Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Homelessness Grant Formulas
RAND researchers analyzed the formulas for distributing funds to states under three block grants for services related to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness (unchanged since 1992) to determine whether they should be modified.
Jun 19, 2019
Report
Evaluation of the Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team for the City of Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica, California, implemented the Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team to address the chronic and persistent problem of homelessness, which burdens public service providers and imposes substantial public costs on the city.
Jun 5, 2019
Research Brief
Boosting Disaster Resilience Among Older Adults
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Collaborations between public health departments and organizations that promote aging in place could improve disaster resilience among older populations.
Jan 26, 2018
Report
Improving Disaster Resilience Among Older Adults: Insights from Public Health Departments and Aging-in-Place Efforts
This report uses interview data from public health departments and aging-in-place efforts to explore how alignment between these entities can strengthen the disaster resilience of older adults and identify promising programs or new collaborations.
Jan 23, 2018
Report
Balancing Demand and Supply for Veterans' Health Care: A Summary of Three RAND Assessments Conducted Under the Veterans Choice Act
This summary of three RAND's assessments for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) examines veteran demographics and health care needs, VA's health care capabilities, and authorities and mechanisms for purchasing care.
Feb 4, 2016
Report
Current and Projected Characteristics and Unique Health Care Needs of the Patient Population Served by the Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans who rely on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care are older and less healthy than other veterans. Analysis of a range of data sources showed how the veteran population and demand for VA health care could change in the next decade.
Dec 31, 2015
Research Brief
The Federal Voting Assistance Program: Refocusing and Reorganizing for the Road Ahead
The Federal Voting Assistance Program is creating a clearer, shared understanding of its mission; building trust and strengthening its relationships with its stakeholders; and embracing a culture and principles of effectiveness.
Dec 16, 2015
Report
The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Road Ahead: Achieving Institutional Change Through Analysis and Collaboration
This report documents the Federal Voting Assistance Program's efforts to align its strategy and operations to better serve its mission and stakeholders, and set its own course, greet change, and communicate its role in the voting community.
Oct 26, 2015
Report
Access to Behavioral Health Care for Geographically Remote Service Members and Dependents in the U.S.
Geospatial and longitudinal analyses helped determine how many military service members and dependents are geographically distant from behavioral health care and the resulting effect on use of care.
Jan 5, 2015
Research Brief
Far from Care: Increasing Access to Behavioral Health Care for Remote Service Members and Their Families
RAND researchers sought to identify how many U.S. military service members and their dependents are remote from behavioral health care and the effects of this distance on their access to and use of care.
Jan 5, 2015
Report
Improving Access to Behavioral Health Care for Remote Service Members and Their Families
Geospatial and longitudinal analyses helped determine how many military service members and dependents are geographically distant from behavioral health care and the resulting effect on use of care.
Jan 5, 2015
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 38, No. 1, Spring 2014
Feature stories discuss the implications of climate change for the Colorado River Basin and the Sierra Nevada, the burdens borne by military caregivers, the drawbacks of joint aircraft programs, and growing inequalities across the European Union.
Apr 1, 2014
Research Brief
Improving Programs that Address Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: The RAND Toolkit
RAND developed a set of four tools to assist with understanding, evaluating, and improving performance of programs that address psychological health and traumatic brain injuries among service members.
Jan 8, 2014
Report
A Program Manager's Guide for Program Improvement in Ongoing Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Programs: The RAND Toolkit, Volume 4
The RAND Program Manager's Guide is a tool to help those responsible for managing or implementing programs to assess program performance, consider improvement options, implement solutions, and assess how well the changes worked.
Jan 8, 2014
Report
A Systematic Process to Facilitate Evidence-Informed Decisionmaking Regarding Program Expansion: The RAND Toolkit, Volume 3
RAND researchers developed a model and tools to support a centralized, systematic, and ongoing process to aid the Department of Defense in making decisions around continued support and expansion of psychological health and brain injury programs.
Jan 8, 2014
Research Brief
Will the Affordable Care Act Make Health Care More Affordable?
For most lower-income people who obtain coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act, health care spending will fall. But spending by some newly insured higher-income people will increase because they will be now paying insurance premiums.
Dec 11, 2013
Report
Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Consumer Health Care Spending and Risk of Catastrophic Health Costs
This study examines likely effects of the Affordable Care Act on average annual consumer health care spending and risk of catastrophic medical costs and considers how these outcomes are affected by state decisions to expand Medicaid.
Oct 1, 2013
Research Brief
The Cost and Quality of VA Mental Health Services
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.
Oct 19, 2011
Report
Veterans Health Administration Mental Health Program Evaluation: Capstone Report
Evaluation of mental health services provided by the VA for veterans with selected mental diagnoses and recommendations for improving capacity and quality monitoring.
Oct 19, 2011
Draft
Guide to the Behavioral Health Care System in the District of Columbia
Offers a detailed description of the public behavioral health care system in the District of Columbia.
Oct 29, 2010
Report
Behavioral Health in the District of Columbia: Assessing Need and Evaluating the Public System of Care
Dec 31, 2009
Tool
Enhancing Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs Populations: A Toolkit for State and Local Planning and Response
Presents a toolkit and a Web-based Geographic Information Systems tool meant to help state and local public health agencies improve their emergency preparedness activities for special needs populations.
Sep 8, 2009
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 33, No. 2, Summer 2009
A section on U.S. health care reform accompanies features on piracy, education priorities, emerging technologies, and Arkansas antismoking programs; other stories discuss climate change, parolees, oil risks, Mexican security, and global drug policies.
Aug 17, 2009
Draft
A Workshop Template to Assess and Improve SNS Planning
Contains a template that public health agencies can use to conduct a workshop to improve key aspects of Strategic National Stockpile planning: pediatric dispensing, altered standards of care, and allocation of scarce resources.
Aug 4, 2009
Report
Demonstrating and Communicating Research Impact: Preparing NIOSH Programs for External Review
RAND researchers assisted in preparing National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) programs for an external review of their impact and relevance in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
Feb 3, 2009
Research Brief
Helping Research Programs Demonstrate Impact
RAND researchers used logic models, outcome worksheets, and outcome narratives to help the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health demonstrate and communicate the impact of its research.
Feb 3, 2009
Report
Foundation for Integrating Employee Health Activities for Active Duty Personnel in the Department of Defense
Describes current Department of Defense (DoD) safety and occupational health programs and health information systems, and employee health programs outside of DoD as a foundation for considering a more integrated DoD employee health program.
Jan 13, 2009
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 32, No. 2, Summer 2008
The cover story contains 11 essays that forecast 11 ''issues over the horizon''; other articles discuss the invisible wounds of war, visions of the future, colleges in prisons, and nuclear deterrence for the modern age.
Aug 1, 2008
Report
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery
A comprehensive study of the post-deployment health-related needs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury among servicemembers returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Mar 26, 2008
Research Brief
Redefining and Reforming Health Care for the Last Years of Life
This research brief summarizes findings on actions that can be taken to shape the U.S. health care system into one that helps Americans live out their final years comfortably, with a care system that is reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable.
May 16, 2006
Report
Issues and Options for Government Intervention in the Market for Terrorism Insurance
Examines the central issues in the debate over whether to extend, modify, or end the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which requires insurers to make terrorism coverage available to commercial policyholders
Dec 20, 2004
Report
Will the Scientific and Technology Workforce Meet the Requirements of the Federal Government?
Assesses the size and adequacy of the federal workforce for carrying out scientific, technical, engineering, and math-related activities
May 2, 2004
Report
Vital Assets: Federal Investment in Research and Development at the Nation's Universities and Colleges
Provides results of an analysis based on RAND Corporation's RaDiUS (Research and Development in the United States) database that shows state-by-state trends in federal R&D funding of U.S. universities and colleges from FY 1996 through FY 2002 and
2004
Report
Organizational Policy Levers Can Affect Acquisition Reform Implementation in Air Force Repair Contracts
Describes a study of the implementation of innovative practices in Air Force depot maintenance contracts.
2004
Report
A Review of Reports on Selected Large Federal Science Facilities: Management and Life-Cycle Issues
Synthesizes the findings of 20 documented studies of major science facilities and presents lessons learned for the federal government as it builds, manages, and retires large facilities
2004
Research Brief
Is the Federal Scientific and Technical Workforce Facing a Crisis?
There is no clear evidence that the federal government faces impending shortages of scientific and technical personnel. However, there are concerns among federal research managers that personnel shortages and skill gaps could emerge in the near futur...
2004
Brochure
Science and Technology Policy Institute: A Report to the President: Analytic Perspectives on Science and Technology Issues Facing the Nation
Originally created by Congress in 1991 as the Critical Technologies Institute and renamed in 1998, the Science and Technology Policy Institute is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the National Science Foundation. ...
2004
Report
The U.S. Scientific and Technical Workforce: Improving Data for Decisionmaking
Presents a conference convened to address questions about the adequacy on science and technology manpower in the United States.
2004
Report
Living Well at the End of Life: Adapting Health Care to Serious Chronic Illness in Old Age
The authors identify the options for reforming the care system to meet the needs of chronically ill elderly patients.
Jan 1, 2003
Report
Technology Transfer of Federally Funded R&D: Perspectives from a Forum
Presents comments and discussion on a variety of issues to gain a wide perspective on best practices for technology transfer.
2003
Report
Demographie et Securite: Demography and Security (French translation)
A RAND-sponsored workshop on Demography and National Security in Paris in November 2000 brought together French, American, and other European demographers; senior representatives from the French Ministry of Defense; and researchers, economists, and experts in geopolitics.
2001
Report
Demography and Security: Proceedings of a Workshop, Paris, France, November 2000
Demographic shifts are a cause, an effect, and a forerunner of geopolitical shocks and transformations. Examining these shifts is an important step in any strategic assessment of the global security environment.
2001
Report
Population Growth in Egypt: A Continuing Policy Challenge (Arabic version)
This paper examines demographic trends in Egypt in terms of how present and future challenges affect the nation and how addressing them will benefit it.
2001
Report
How Americans View World Population Issues: A Survey of Public Opinion
Presents results of a national survey of how Americans view global demographic trends and issues in the context of U.S. international economic assistance.
2000
Report
Paying for University Research Facilities and Administration
Federal spending for scientific research at U.S. academic institutions equals approximately $15 billion each year. According to the analysis in this report, about three-quarters of this amount supports the direct costs of conducting research.
2000
Research Brief
Beyond the Numbers: How Americans View Global Population Issues
This research brief summarizes the results of a survey of American public attitudes on population issues and foreign assistance.
2000
Research Brief
Do Public Attitudes Toward Abortion Influence Attitudes Toward Family Planning? Findings from a Survey of Americans
The survey results suggest that attitudes toward abortion exert only a minor influence in shaping the American public's attitude toward family planning.
2000
Research Brief
Opinions that Count: How Swing Voters in Congress View Global Population Issues
Recent study reveals that the potential for demographic research to influence congressional decisions is larger than many believe.
2000
Report
Population Growth in Egypt: A Continuing Policy Challenge
This paper examines demographic trends in Egypt in terms of how present and future challenges affect the nation and how addressing them will benefit it.
2000
Report
How Does Congress Approach Population and Family Planning Issues? Results of Qualitative Interviews with Legislative Directors
Nearly unanimous support was expressed for U.S. support of voluntary family planning when it is understood to exclude abortion. Congress would benefit from research-based, factual information on a variety of international population issues.
1999
Report
Family Planning in Developing Countries: An Unfinished Success Story Tanzeem el usrah fi el namiah: kissat nagah iam tantahi (Arabic version)
Family Planning in Developing Countries: An Unfinished Success Story Tanzeem el usrah fi el namiah: kissat nagah iam tantahi (Arabic version)
1999
Report
La planificación familiar en los países en desarrollo: Un éxito incompleto
La planificacion familiar en los paises en desarrollo: Un exito a incompleto
1999
Report
La Planification Familiale dans les Pays en Développement: Une Réussite à Parachever
La Planification familiale dans les Pays en Développement: Une Réussite à Parachever
1999
Report
La planificazione familiare nei paesi in via di sviluppo: un successo incompleto
La planificazione familiare nei paesi in via di sviluppo: un successo incompleto
1999
Report
O Planeamento Familiar Nos paises em Vias de Densenvolvimento: Uma Historia de Sucesso Inacabada
O Planeamento Familiar Nos paises em Vias de Densenvolvimento: Uma Historia de Sucesso Inacabada
1999
Report
Family Planning in Developing Countries: An Unfinished Success Story
If global fertility has declined so sharply, should the United States and other donor countries continue to invest in overseas population assistance programs, particularly family planning?
Aug 17, 1998
Report
Monitoring and Controlling the International Transfer of Technology
The United States is a net exporter of technology and technical knowledge. Despite fears that this outflow of technology is costly to U.S. taxpayers, it would be impractical to institute a government-wide system for monitoring and restricting ...
1998
Research Brief
The Unmet Need for Contraception in Developing Countries
Millions of women in developing countries who would prefer to postpone or avoid pregnancy do not use contraceptives. These women have an "unmet need" for contraception.
1998
Report
Russia's Demographic 'Crisis': How Real Is It?
Although a continuation of long-term patterns accounts for much of the trend, it is important that Russia improve its health care system.
1997
Report
Insuring Mobilized Reservists Against Economic Losses: An Overview
Summarizes results from an ongoing study of the economic losses of reservists upon mobilization and explores one option for addressing this problem, namely, the feasibility of offering insurance protection against such losses.
1995
Research Brief
The Decline of the U.S. Machine-Tool Industry and Prospects for Recovery
A comprehensive study of the machine-tool industry in the United States, Japan, Germany, and Italy. The study analyzed the causes of the U.S. decline and offered policy options for aiding the industry's recovery.
1994
Report
No-Fault Automobile Insurance: A Policy Perspective
This report considers what would happen if a state adopted a no-fault auto insurance system.
1991