Shoshana R. Shelton

Senior Policy Analyst; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Pittsburgh Office

Education

M.P.H., The Ohio State University; B.A. in English, Denison University

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Shoshana R. Shelton is a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on performance measure development, program evaluation, public health systems, violence prevention, infectious disease control and mitigation, and national health security. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in journals and worked on numerous efforts for a wide range of federal agencies. Currently, she co-leads a project on data privacy and FOIA for the Office of Information Governance and Privacy in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and serves as project manager for RAND's master contract with the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. She also leads an after action review of the public health laboratory COVID-19 response. Her past work includes leading a multi-year project analyzing mass attacks and targeted violence for the U.S. Secret Service, conducting risk analysis for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorist threats, leading the development of the National Health Security Strategy objectives on workforce and countermeasure delivery, working closely with the CDC to develop performance measures, and conducting a portfolio analysis of federally funded research on health security. Before joining RAND in 2007, Shelton was a program manager at the Office of Public Health Practice at The Ohio State University, where she conducted training for the public health workforce. Shelton holds an M.P.H. from The Ohio State University and a B.A. in English from Denison University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Targeted Violence Prevention
Continuity of Operations Planning for Public Health Laboratories
National Health Security Strategy Development, Implementation, and Evaluation Support Services
Developing Updated Legionellosis Guidelines for Western Pennsylvania
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) and the Road Ahead: A Proposal for Assessment and Guidance

Selected Publications

Shelton, S., Nelson, C., McLees, A., Mumford, K., Thomas, C., "Building Performance-Based Accountability With A Limited Empirical Evidence Base: Performance Measure Development for Public Health Preparedness," Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 7(4), 2013

Parker, A. Shelton, S., Morganti, K., Nelson, C., "Assessing Relationships Between State and Local Public Health Organizations: Evidence from the NACCHO 2008 Profile of Local Health Departments," Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 18(2), 2012

Shelton, S., Connor, K., Uscher-Pines, L., Pillemer, F., Mullikin, J., Kellermann, A., "Bioterrorism and Biological Threats Dominate Federal Health Security Research: Other Priorities Get Scant Attention," Health Affairs, 31(12), 2012

Nelson, C., Willis, H., Chan, E., Shelton, S., & Parker, A., "Can the Federal Government Improve Community Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies? Lessons from the Cities Readiness Initiative," Health Affairs, 29(12), 2010

Greenfield, Victoria A., Shoshana R. Shelton, Edward Balkovich, John S. Davis II, and David M. Adamson, The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Road Ahead: Achieving Institutional Change Through Analysis and Collaboration, RAND Corporation (RR-882-OSD), 2015

Parker, Andrew M., Brian A. Jackson, Angel R. Martinez, Ricardo Sanchez, Shoshana R. Shelton, and Jan Osburg, Exploring the Effect of the Diffusion of Geo-Targeted Emergency Alerts: The Application of Agent-Based Modeling to Understanding the Spread of Messages from the Wireless Emergency Alerts System, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (EP-50878), 2015

Moore, Melinda, Shoshana R. Shelton, Updated Guidelines for the Control of Legionella in Western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Health Department, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative (EP-66197), 2014

Commentary

Logistics Management

COVID-19 Vaccination: Expect the Unexpected
With emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine now in place, states and localities have turned their focus to the logistics of dispensing it as quickly as feasible. Still, uncertainties abound. It is essential to build a process of learning into the plan.
Dec 15, 2020
The RAND Blog
Public Health Preparedness

Control Disease in a New York Minute
Legionella bacteria are ubiquitous in many warm-water environments, but outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease like the recent one in the South Bronx don't have to be. Effective public health policies and practices can help inhibit Legionella growth, minimize the occurrence and impact of outbreaks, and save lives.
Aug 20, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Public Health Preparedness

Tuberculosis Outbreak in LA Reminds Us of Importance of 'Bread and Butter' Public Health Capabilities
In this fiscally uncertain climate, we should continue to leverage the dual-use benefit of bioterrorism investments by building and maintaining those routine (but essential) public health capabilities that can also be used in response to a variety of public health emergencies.
Mar 12, 2013
The RAND Blog
Emergency Preparedness

Far More U.S. Health Security Research Effort Aimed at Bioterrorism than Natural Disasters
Given the broad range of threats facing the United States, including those related to extreme weather, it is imperative that monies invested in enhancing health security be well spent, writes Shoshana Shelton.
Dec 3, 2012
The RAND Blog

Publications

Journal Article
Linking State Health Care Data to Inform Policymaking: Opportunities and Challenges
This report provides additional detail on the objectives of and use cases for APCDs, the current APCD landscape, and implementation challenges that constrain the use of APCDs for some valuable applications.
Jun 29, 2022
Research Brief
How the Criminal Justice System's COVID-19 Response Has Provided Valuable Lessons for Broader Reform: Looking to the Future
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, stakeholders have an opportunity to reimagine the justice system. This brief presents key lessons learned and recommendations from participants in workshops related to different aspects of the justice system.
Jun 22, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Community Corrections Organizations' COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Safety in the Community
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for community supervision organizations, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Law Enforcement's COVID-19 Response: Protecting the Public
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for law enforcement agencies, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from the Court System's COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for the court system, how courts adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System's COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside
This brief highlights the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, shows how corrections agencies adapted to the challenges, describes which adaptations may hold promise, and provides evaluations to demonstrate the efficacy of such adaptations.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Victim Services Providers' COVID-19 Response: Protecting Victims and Those Who Serve Them
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for victims services providers, describes how they adapted to those challenges, and discusses which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Report
The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges
The Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a set of workshops with justice practitioners to take stock of responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. They identified key challenges, system innovations, and lessons for the future.
Apr 8, 2021
Report
Wearable Sensor Technology and Potential Uses Within Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Officer Safety, Health, and Wellness Using Wearable Sensor Technology
Data from wearable sensor technologies (WSTs) could be used to assess and improve police officer health and well-being. A panel of experts identified ways to implement WSTs in law enforcement settings, evaluate them, and obtain buy-in from officers.
Nov 2, 2020
Report
After Hurricane Maria: Predisaster Conditions, Hurricane Damage, and Recovery Needs in Puerto Rico
Following the 2017 hurricane season, the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested a review of Puerto Rico's hurricane damage and recovery needs. This report summarizes the resulting cross-sector analysis of history, conditions, and needs.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Fostering Innovation Across the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Opportunities to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Fairness
In this report, the authors draw on panel discussions from the five-year Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative and focus on needs that apply to law enforcement, the courts, and corrections agencies.
Mar 23, 2020
Journal Article
Continuity of Operations Plan Improvement Tool for Public Health Laboratories
Public health laboratories are in various stages of development of their continuity of operations plan (COOP). The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) contracted with RAND to develop and pilot test a COOP tabletop exercise.
Mar 12, 2020
Report
Environmental Biodetection and Human Biosurveillance Research and Development for National Security: Priorities for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate
This report examines the Department of Homeland Security's chemical and biological defense research and development portfolio to identify priorities for future investments to effectively address biological threats.
Nov 28, 2018
Report
Homeland Security National Risk Characterization: Risk Assessment Methodology
Presents a risk assessment methodology that can be used to identify the greatest risks to homeland security and support prioritization of U.S. Department of Homeland Security mission elements as part of DHS planning processes.
Sep 19, 2018
Journal Article
Development and Maintenance of Standardized Cross Setting Patient Assessment Data for Post-Acute Care: Summary Report of Findings from Alpha 2 Pilot Testing
Results of the Alpha 2 feasibility test, used to help develop standardized assessment-based data elements to meet the requirements of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation(IMPACT) Act of 2014.
Jun 7, 2018
Report
Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Electronic Communication and Electronic Devices on the Right to a Fair Trial
In this report, an expert panel identifies ways that electronic communication can impact the right to a fair trial and recommends strategies to protect witnesses from intimidation and jurors from compromising their independence.
Apr 10, 2018
Journal Article
Impact of the Affordable Care Act's Dependent Coverage Expansion on the Health Care and Health Status of Young Adults: What Do We Know So Far
Under the ACA's dependent coverage expansion, there has been an increase in behavioral health treatment and a decrease in high out-of-pocket expenses and ER visits among young adults.
Mar 14, 2017
Journal Article
Geo-targeting Performance of Wireless Emergency Alerts in Imminent Threat Scenarios: Volume 1: Tornado Warnings
This study examines how Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) can be used to warn the public in three potentially deadly scenarios: --A large destructive earthquake; --A Tsunami ; and --A terrorist detonation of nuclear weapon in an urban area.
Oct 5, 2016
Report
The Role of Logic Modeling in a Collaborative and Iterative Research Process: Lessons from Research and Analysis Conducted with the Federal Voting Assistance Program
The report describes the underlying method of collaborative logic-model development and application and frames the approach in generalizable step-by-step terms, drawing from research and analysis conducted with the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Feb 9, 2016
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
Journal Article
Exploring the Effect of the Diffusion of Geo-Targeted Emergency Alerts: The Application of Agent-Based Modeling to Understanding the Spread of Messages from the Wireless Emergency Alerts System
This report examines the effect of the diffusion of geo-targeted emergency alerts.
Nov 23, 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
Journal Article
Updated Guidelines for the Control of Legionella in Western Pennsylvania
The purpose of these updated guidelines is to provide interested persons and organizations in western Pennsylvania with updated information on Legionella and how to minimize its occurrence and impact in people and in the environment.
Oct 1, 2014
Report
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
This report characterizes the factors that affect wireless emergency alert (WEA) coverage, identifies barriers to public access to WEA alerts, and suggests options for increasing mobile penetration (adoption) of WEA nationwide.
Feb 12, 2014
Journal Article
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
The objective of this analysis was to independently assess the coverage and penetration of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.
2013
Journal Article
Building Performance-Based Accountability with Limited Empirical Evidence: Performance Measurement for Public Health Preparedness
Efforts to respond to performance-based accountability mandates for public health emergency preparedness have been hindered by a weak evidence base linking preparedness activities with response outcomes.
2013
Journal Article
Bioterrorism and Biological Threats Dominate Federal Health Security Research: Other Priorities Get Scant Attention
Federal support for health security research is heavily weighted toward preparing for bioterrorism and other biological threats, providing significantly less funding for challenges such as monster storms or attacks with conventional bombs.
Dec 1, 2012
Report
Analysis of the Cities Readiness Initiative
Examines (1) the status of communities' capability to deliver medical countermeasures within 48 hours of a federal decision to deploy assets and (2) whether the Cities Readiness Initiative has improved communities' capability to meet that goal.
Mar 27, 2012
Journal Article
Assessing Relationships Between State and Local Public Health Organizations: Evidence from the NACCHO 2008 Profile of Local Health Departments
Public health systems vary by degree of centralization, reflecting the distribution of authority, responsibility, and effort between state and local public health agencies.
Mar 1, 2012
Journal Article
Developing and Pilot Testing a Laboratory Specific Continuity of Operations Tabletop Exercise
Describes the importance of a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and identifies common strengths and potential vulnerabilities of laboratoy-specific COOPs.
2012
Journal Article
Federal Initiative Increases Community Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies
This article describes an evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative, a federal program to improve communities' ability to dispense medications rapidly during emergencies.
2010
Draft
Decision-Making Modules for the RSS-POD Supply Management Game: A Game-Based Assessment of Crisis Decision Making During Inventory Management and Distribution of Medical Countermeasures
Introduces and explains two new modules for the RSS-POD Supply Chain Management Game, an Excel-based computer simulation game designed to provide practice in managing inventories of medical countermeasures during a largescale public health emergency.
Oct 11, 2009
Report
New Tools for Assessing State and Local Capabilities for Countermeasure Delivery
Presents assessments that test five critical elements of state and local health departments' capability to deliver countermeasures to the population under rapid timeframes.
Sep 3, 2009
Report
Measuring Crisis Decision Making for Public Health Emergencies
Describes a tool for assessing key features of good crisis decision making that focuses on the processes of decision making -- situational awareness, action planning, and process control -- and can be used for exploratory analysis and process improvement.
Aug 17, 2009
Report
A National Agenda for Public Health Systems Research on Emergency Preparedness
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response asked RAND to facilitate the development of a public health systems research agenda for emergency preparedness with a focus on both short- and long-term priorities.
Aug 11, 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
Research Brief
Are Communities Ready to Conduct Rapid and Large-Scale Dispensing of Medications During a Public Health Emergency?
This research highlight summarizes the findings of RAND's initial evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative and the program's impact on communities' readiness to conduct mass dispensing of medications and other medical supplies.
Apr 1, 2009
Report
Initial Evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked RAND to provide an initial evaluation of the impact of the Cities Readiness Initiative on awardees' readiness and capability to conduct mass countermeasure dispensing.
Jan 30, 2009