Allyson D. Gittens

Policy Analyst

Boston Office

Education

M.H.S. in social factors in health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; B.A. in sociology, Dartmouth College

Overview

Allyson Gittens (she/her) is a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on the social determinants of health, health equity, the health care workforce and education equity. Gittens utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods as well as project management and program evaluation. Prior to joining RAND, Gittens worked on various research projects in the areas of racial and ethnic health disparities and veteran health. She also worked at a Boston-based hospital connecting patients to community resources. In addition, Gittens has experience in the non-profit sector both in the U.S. and abroad. Gittens holds a Master of Health Science degree with a concentration in social factors in health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a B.A. in sociology from Dartmouth College.

Research Focus

Publications

Research Brief
Behavioral Health Technicians: Extending the Reach of Military Behavioral Health Care
RAND researchers identified ways take to maximize behavioral health technicians' (BHTs') contributions to military health and readiness, including expanding training opportunities and providing BHTs with tools and templates for frequent tasks.
Mar 22, 2022
Report
Optimizing the Role of Military Behavioral Health Technicians: A Survey of Behavioral Health Technicians and Mental Health Providers
RAND researchers surveyed military behavioral health technicians (BHTs) and licensed mental health providers about BHTs' contributions, training and supervision, and job satisfaction, as well as barriers to integrating them into clinical practice.
Mar 22, 2022
Report
English Language Arts Instructional Systems in the First Full Year of COVID-19
The authors focus on teachers' perceptions of the guidance received on English language arts instruction and instructional system coherence during the first full year of COVID-19 (2020–2021), and how teachers' perceptions compared with 2019–2020.
Jan 31, 2022
Report
The U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative: Early Insights
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in U.S. coronavirus vaccination rates. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Jan 28, 2022
Research Brief
Early Insights from the Equity-First Vaccination Initiative
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Dec 20, 2021
Journal Article
COVID-19 Community Response: Emerging Themes Across Sentinel Communities
Since the onset of COVID-19, RAND researchers contributed to four reports on the impact and response in nine communities (Finney Co., Harris Co., Milwaukee, Mobile, San Juan Co., Sanilac Co., Tacoma, Tampa, and White Plains) and four cross-community reports.
Jul 14, 2021
Report
An Evaluation of the Military OneSource Call Center in Select Groups of Callers: Call Quality, Call Outcomes, and Caller Satisfaction
The authors evaluate call quality, call outcomes, and caller satisfaction for the Military OneSource call center for military personnel and their families. They provide recommendations for operations and identify areas for future study.
Jun 23, 2021
Tool
Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Information and Programs Visualization Tool
This tool provides a visualization of the concepts in "Strengthening the Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Finding a Path" which reviews strategies, strengthens and expands the entry-level health care workforce, and identifies opportunities for stakeholders.
Dec 17, 2020
Journal Article
Strengthening the Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Finding a Path
The goal of this research was to review evidence on promising strategies, strengthen and expand the entry-level health care workforce, and identify potential opportunities for stakeholders to consider.
Dec 15, 2020