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Infectious Diseases

Illegal Drugs
commentary
Opioids and a Crisis of Unintended Consequences
David Powell
Feb 20, 2019
The Hill
The pain medicine OxyContin was reformulated in 2010 to make it more difficult to crush or dissolve. But this had unintended consequences, including a rise in hepatitis C infections as drug abusers switched from taking OxyContin to injecting heroin.
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Community-Based Health Care
essay
Faith-Based Organizations Promote Well-Being in Underserved Communities
Jan 4, 2019
Kathryn Derose, a senior policy researcher at RAND and an Episcopal deacon, works with Latino and African-American churches to address health issues in their communities. Her research has shown the power of the pulpit to fight health disparities, counter stigma, and encourage healthy living.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Achieving the Trump Administration's National Biodefense Strategy
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Oct 2, 2018
RealClearDefense
The Trump administration recently published its National Biodefense Strategy, which says that managing the risk of biological threats is in the “vital interest” of the United States, however they might present. The document provides a solid foundation, but more may be required to fully realize its goals and objectives.
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Sexual Behavior
commentary
Public Health Reasons to Tune Into TV's 'Dear White People'
Sarah MacCarthy
Aug 10, 2018
Scientific American
The Netflix series Dear White People shows how sexual decisionmaking can be influenced by race, status, and the power dynamics within a relationship. Public health programs and policies could be better tailored to account for this complexity.
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Public Health
commentary
The Royal Wedding's Bouquet to Public Health
Sarah MacCarthy
May 17, 2018
Fox News Channel
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked the public to donate to charities instead of sending wedding gifts. The causes they are passionate about include helping children with HIV, homelessness, hygiene programs for women in the slums of Mumbai, and bringing sport to disadvantaged youth.
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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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Vaccination
commentary
On Vaccines, Trump Should Rely on Science
Courtney A. Gidengil, Laura J. Faherty
Jan 25, 2017
The Health Care Blog
Research has proven that vaccines are extremely safe and effective. The public health implications of questioning this are serious. America should take every opportunity to protect kids by vaccinating them against every vaccine-preventable disease.
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Uganda
essay
Improving HIV and Mental Health Care in Uganda
Jan 5, 2017
A small team of RAND researchers has spent years working with local clinics in Uganda to help people not just survive HIV, but learn to live with it, and even thrive.
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Politics and Government
commentary
In a 'Post-Truth' World, Evidence and Experts Matter More Than Ever
Molly Morgan Jones
Dec 16, 2016
The RAND Blog
In 2016, a so-called "post-truth" world emerged, where objective truths seem to carry less weight than opinions that appeal to personal beliefs. But experts and truth still matter.
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HIV Treatment
commentary
PrEP for HIV Prevention in the UK Still Faces Many Challenges
Gavin Cochrane
Dec 15, 2016
The RAND Blog
PrEP is an HIV-prevention strategy that provides people at risk of HIV with oral antiretroviral drugs that are taken prior to potential exposure. It could be a game changer, but issues associated with its implementation, costs, and access need to be addressed.
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Antimicrobial Resistance
commentary
Europe's Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
Elta Smith @elta_smith, Catherine A. Lichten
Nov 3, 2016
E!Sharp
The EC's AMR Action Plan included measures to ensure antimicrobials are used more appropriately in both humans and animals and measures to stimulate R&D of new antibiotics. One area that was not sufficiently covered was the environment.
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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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Antimicrobial Resistance
commentary
Why the United Nations General Assembly Session on Antimicrobial Resistance Matters
Jirka Taylor, Elta Smith @elta_smith
Sep 19, 2016
The RAND Blog
Many common infections are becoming resistant to the antimicrobial medicines used to treat them, resulting in longer illnesses and more deaths. The fact that world leaders are using the UN as a forum for discussions about AMR is a promising move toward developing a coordinated global plan.
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Brazil
commentary
Health and Safety at the Rio Olympics: It's Not Just About Zika
Melinda Moore
Aug 5, 2016
The Mark News
The risk of contracting Zika in Rio de Janeiro is low. But there is a broader range of health and safety concerns for which travelers can and should take specific precautions.
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Antimicrobial Resistance
commentary
The Rio Olympics Are the Site of a Battle Against 'Super Bacteria'
Jirka Taylor, Elta Smith @elta_smith
Jul 29, 2016
Medical Xpress
Brazilian scientists detected drug-resistant bacteria growing off some of Rio de Janeiro's beaches, close to where it will host sailing and wind-surfing events, and in the lagoon where the rowing and canoeing events will take place.
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Discriminatory Practices
commentary
Revisiting Restrictions on Blood Donations from Gay and Bisexual Men
Sarah MacCarthy
Jul 5, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
The FDA does not accept blood from male donors who have had sex with a man in the last 12 months. Is this restriction supported by scientific evidence? Or, is it related to lingering stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS?
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