Epidemic

Affordable Care Act
commentary
What If the Supreme Court Strikes Down the ACA During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner, Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil
Apr 3, 2020
The Hill
With COVID-19 spreading across the United States, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is once again up in the air, hanging on the outcome of a Supreme Court case. Should the law be overturned, upwards of 20 million people could lose their health insurance during one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19's Effects on Mental Health, Food Access, and Education: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 3, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19 and mental health, food security challenges during the pandemic, supporting children while schools are closed, and more.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea: Denying COVID-19
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett, Diana Myers
Apr 2, 2020
The National Interest
According to Pyongyang, North Korea has not yet suffered any cases of COVID-19. That would be surprising, since it is a neighbor and extensive trading partner of China. There are signs that this claim is yet another North Korean deception.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
The COVID-19 Crisis Has Sparked Innovation and Offers Lessons We Must Not Forget
Sonja Marjanovic @SonjaCambs
Apr 1, 2020
The RAND Blog
COVID-19 has shocked the world and caught most countries unprepared, forcing them to improvise how best to protect the health of their populations. But amid all the confusion and fear, the power of individuals, organizations, and communities to think differently and to innovate shows what can be achieved when people are united by common, clear priorities and necessity.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Implement Critical Care Surge Strategies Now to Save Lives
Mahshid Abir, Kaitlyn Entel, Christopher Nelson
Apr 1, 2020
Health Affairs Blog
As COVID-19 continues to spread, hospitals are bracing for a surge of patients requiring critical care. To meet the demand, U.S. health care facilities may need to fundamentally change the way they allocate space, staff, and equipment.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
After the Coronavirus: America Needs to Reengage with the World, Not Retreat from It
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Apr 1, 2020
USA Today
The COVID-19 pandemic should lead to a further strengthening of the national and international response capacity. The alternative of erecting barriers and closing America off to the world would leave it more vulnerable to the next big shock.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19 and the Economy, America's Blood Supply, 10 Years of the ACA: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 27, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19 and the economy, strengthening the U.S. blood supply, 10 years of the Affordable Care Act, and more.
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Middle East
commentary
COVID-19 Impacts on Strategic Dynamics in the Middle East
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Mar 26, 2020
The RAND Blog
The pandemic is sure to have transformational effects everywhere, and the Middle East is no exception. But it's unlikely that the crisis will lead to new regional strategic dynamics. Rather, it's more likely to reinforce existing and largely negative trend lines.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
The Economic Wallop of COVID-19: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 26, 2020
As Washington continues to weigh economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, here are insights from RAND experts on how aid money might be best allocated, how this crisis compares to the 2008 recession, what business communities can do right now, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Experts Discuss COVID-19: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 20, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19, how the United States is responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the spread of misinformation during this time, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
The Social Distancing Economy: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 18, 2020
Congress and the White House are weighing economic policies to help people acutely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Here are insights from RAND experts on what might be effective in terms of fiscal policy, stimulus spending, and emergency relief to affected workers.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
U.S. COVID-19 Cases on the Rise: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 18, 2020
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, is now in all 50 states. And more and more U.S. cases and deaths are being reported. As orders to close schools and restaurants take effect across America, RAND researchers answer some questions about the crisis.
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Sleep
commentary
Why Prioritizing Sleep in the Time of Coronavirus Is So Important
Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Mar 17, 2020
Thrive Global
The coronavirus has required many people to drastically alter their daily schedules, which can wreak havoc on sleep. But there are simple strategies that can help support sleep and well-being during this trying time.
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Telemedicine
commentary
Coronavirus, Telemedicine, and Dustbusters
Ateev Mehrotra, Lori Uscher-Pines
Mar 16, 2020
The RAND Blog
Telemedicine has been with us for decades. And yet it hasn't transformed health care in the way that ATMs have transformed banking or cordless vacuums have transformed household cleaning. But the coronavirus pandemic could forever change how telemedicine is used.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Coronavirus Forces Colleges Online. Will Learning Ever Be the Same?
Charles A. Goldman, Rita Karam
Mar 16, 2020
Fox News Channel
Colleges and universities have turned to online courses to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But distance learning may also hold promise as a long-term strategy to help make higher education more accessible and affordable.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19, Out-of-Network Hospital Payments, Russia's Economy: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 13, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19, limiting out-of-network hospital payments, Russia's sluggish economy, and more.
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Health Care Services Capacity
commentary
COVID-19: A Stress Test for a U.S. Health Care System Already Under Stress
Mahshid Abir, Christina Cutter, Christopher Nelson
Mar 12, 2020
Health Affairs Blog
There are many things hospitals and health systems could be doing in the coming weeks to best prepare for the advancing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Evaluating their surge response plans will be critical.
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Mortality
commentary
Estimates of COVID-19's Fatality Rate Might Change. And Then Change Again.
Raffaele Vardavas, Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil, Sarah A. Nowak
Mar 11, 2020
The RAND Blog
With infections of the new coronavirus confirmed in countries around the world, people are following the daily tally of COVID-19 cases, wondering exactly how lethal this new disease is. The truth is, it's hard to know.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
A Coronavirus Election? Look to the Bottom of the Ticket
Patrick Roberts @RamblingRoberts
Mar 9, 2020
The Washington Post
As the coronavirus spreads in communities, it will be mayors, county judges, and school superintendents—not federal officials—who make the tough calls about whether to declare a state of emergency or shutter public schools and other institutions.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
Coronavirus Outbreak Intensifies: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 5, 2020
Cases of the coronavirus have now spread to several dozens of countries, infecting thousands and thousands of people across the globe. With concerns about the disease rising, we asked a group of RAND researchers to answer a wide range of questions about the crisis.
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Russia
blog
New START, Trump's Middle East Peace Plan, New Tobacco Products: RAND Weekly Recap
Feb 21, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on why the United States should extend the New START agreement, Trump's Middle East peace plan, new tobacco products, and more.
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Maternal Health
blog
Infectious Diseases, Zimbabwe, Students with Disabilities: RAND Weekly Recap
Feb 14, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the U.S. response to infectious diseases, Zimbabwe after Mugabe, the support for students with disabilities, and more.
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Democracy
blog
Civic Engagement and Health, the State of the Union, Better Sleep: RAND Weekly Recap
Feb 7, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the link between civic engagement and health, policy insights from the State of the Union address, what couples can do to improve their sleep, and more.
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Education Reform
blog
Community Schools, Brexit, Coronavirus: RAND Weekly Recap
Jan 31, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the promise of community schools, the costs of uncertainty after Brexit, the coronavirus, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Is Coronavirus Another SARS?
Jennifer Bouey @BoueyHuang
Jan 28, 2020
The World Post
In 2002, the SARS pandemic infected more than 8,000 people and killed 774. How is the coronavirus outbreak similar? And how is it different?
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Global Health
commentary
Can the U.S. Afford to Reduce Global Public Health Funding?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Feb 8, 2018
The Hill
The United States may be preparing to downsize funding for global epidemic prevention. Without renewed funding, the long-term outlook could include an increased likelihood of global disease outbreaks.
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Haiti
commentary
Cholera in Haiti: No Surprise This Time Around
Melinda Moore
Oct 27, 2016
Inside Sources
When Hurricane Matthew swept across Haiti, it left a resurgence of cholera in its wake. Tackling cholera head-on should be on the short list of health priorities for disaster relief in the island nation.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
How to Handle the Infectious Diseases Threat
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jun 3, 2016
CNN
The reactive approach to emerging infectious disease should be augmented with an anticipatory model that accounts for the dramatic changes occurring through globalization, greater interactions between human and zoonotic populations, and changes to the environment and climate patterns.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
As Ebola Declines, Lessons Emerge
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
May 7, 2015
The RAND Blog
Lessons learned through the analysis of this most recent Ebola outbreak as well as other disease outbreaks can have far-reaching consequences, helping authorities to both improve the continuing, ongoing response and plan for the best possible response to future threats.
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Epidemic
commentary
How the Public Perceives Ebola Risk in the United States
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael Pollard @MichaelSPollard, Andrew M. Parker
Mar 30, 2015
The RAND Blog
The Ebola outbreak in Africa and the cases in the United States weighed heavily on the minds of policymakers and the public. While the Ebola threat was (and is) certainly real, many Americans greatly overestimated their chances of contracting the deadly disease.
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Infectious Diseases
commentary
The Disneyland Measles Outbreak: 'Anti-Vaxxers' Aren't the Only Issue
Jodi L. Liu @jodilliu, Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel
Mar 17, 2015
The Press-Enterprise
The recent measles outbreak that began in Disneyland is the latest reminder that Americans have ceded ground in the fight against the potentially deadly disease. So-called 'anti-vaxxer' parents have received a lot of attention following the outbreak, but they may comprise less of the population than you think.
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Epidemic
q&a
Your Questions on Ebola, Answered
Oct 21, 2014
Melinda Moore, a RAND public health physician and senior researcher, hosted an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to answer questions about Ebola, including whether a U.S. travel ban would help prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
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Emergency Services and Response
commentary
Declaring War on Ebola
Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard, Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Oct 10, 2014
Modern Healthcare
Operation United Assistance, which includes the deployment of 3,000 U.S. military personnel to West Africa to respond to the Ebola crisis, is a welcome recognition of the range of missions the military is increasingly able to tackle, particularly in disaster-management assistance.
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Global Health
commentary
Ebola Outbreak: Putting the Public Back in Public Health
Melinda Moore
Oct 9, 2014
The Hill
Medical and public health systems are crucial to controlling the transmission of Ebola and treating patients. But the public's role in becoming aware and engaged, both in West Africa and the United States, cannot be overstated.
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Intelligence Collection
commentary
The Faceless National Security Threat
Peter Chalk
Sep 10, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
The rapid, uncontrolled spread of aggressive diseases such as Ebola is often a matter of national security. U.S. intelligence professionals must establish relevant information collection and dissemination mechanisms to deal with such contingencies.
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Epidemic
commentary
Six Takeaways from the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel, Peter Chalk
Aug 8, 2014
The RAND Blog
No amount of research can save those who've already perished from Ebola in West Africa, but our capacity to learn from such tragedies is a silver lining that has historically enhanced global resilience to disease. With that in mind, here are six key lessons from the outbreak.
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Epidemiology
commentary
An Outbreak of Outbreaks
Melinda Moore, Andrew M. Parker, Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil
Jun 11, 2014
The Health Care Blog
Lately, stories about outbreaks seem to be spreading faster than the diseases themselves. An outbreak of measles in Ohio is just part of an 18-year high of U.S. cases. Meanwhile, polio continues to circulate in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, while spreading to other countries, like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Syria.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Tuberculosis Outbreak in LA Reminds Us of Importance of 'Bread and Butter' Public Health Capabilities
Shoshana R. Shelton
Mar 12, 2013
The RAND Blog
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.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Heed Film Lessons on Outbreak
Arthur L. Kellermann, Melinda Moore
Dec 29, 2011
Atlanta Journal Constitution
To assure the health security of the United States, we must be capable of stopping anything a terrorist or Mother Nature might throw at us. Wholesale cuts to public health are taking us farther from that goal, write Art Kellermann and Melinda Moore.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Swine Flu: A Real Security Threat
Melinda Moore
Apr 30, 2009
Baltimore Sun
In the rush of constant news updates on swine flu, we must recognize that controlling the spread of this disease is not simply a health concern but also one of national security. And in today's globalized world, the spread of swine flu has become not just a U.S. national security threat but every country's national security threat, writes Melinda Moore.
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commentary
A Desired Epidemic: Obesity and the Food Industry
Deborah A. Cohen @DrDebCohen
Feb 21, 2007
Washingtonpost.com
Published commentary by RAND staff: A Desired Epidemic: Obesity and the Food Industry, in Washingtonpost.com.
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commentary
China: Pitfalls on Path of Continued Growth
Charles Wolf, Jr.
Jun 1, 2003
Los Angeles Times
commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.
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