Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Opioids
Fentanyl: The Most Dangerous Illegal Drug in America
Jan 13, 2020
America's fentanyl crisis is unlike previous drug epidemics and is likely to get worse. Deaths involving it and other synthetic opioids have surged from around 3,000 in 2013 to more than 30,000 in 2018. Solving the problem requires innovative approaches and unprecedented resources.
Patient-Centered Care
Giving Patients a Voice in Medical Guidelines
Dec 31, 2019
Clinical guidelines are the user manuals of modern medicine. They can dictate insurance coverage and help hospitals set quality standards. Yet they often lack the perspective of those who care the most about good treatment: patients and their caregivers. Researchers are working to change that.
Health and Wellness Promotion
How to Avoid the Season of Regret
Dec 20, 2019
The holiday season can bring with it not only the sting of cold air, but also the sting of regret. Regret is a slippery slope for mental health. RAND's Wendy Troxel shares simple, science-backed strategies to dodge year-end regrets.
Opioids
Where Science Says to Spend Any U.S. Opioid Settlement Money
Dec 19, 2019
A global settlement with pharmaceutical companies has started to appear more and more likely. Even with billions of dollars, the settlement resources won't be unlimited. To avoid mistakes made in the tobacco master settlement agreement, any opioid funds must be carefully allocated.
Drug Policy and Trends
Celebrating a Milestone in Drug Policy Research
Dec 12, 2019
In 1989, RAND founded a new Drug Policy Research Center to provide rigorous, nonpartisan research to inform the debate on how to best address America's drug problem. Thirty years later, the center continues to do what it was created to do: improve the understanding of substance use and assess the consequences of an expanding range of drug policies.
Childhood Asthma
At the Nexus of the Health Care System and the Community
Dec 3, 2019
Asthma is a common and expensive childhood condition that erodes quality of life for kids and families. Researchers sought to identify patient-centered interventions to reduce avoidable asthma-related acute care use and improve outcomes. They found that the solutions lie at the nexus of the health care system and the community.
Drug Markets and Supply
What Will the Opioid Crisis Look Like in Five Years?
Nov 18, 2019
Despite variations in European opioid markets, there is an overarching commonality too: Once a synthetic opioid like fentanyl becomes dominant, it stays that way. The United States should prepare for fentanyl and other synthetic opioids as a lasting phenomenon. Learning from other countries' experiences is an important part of that effort.
Caregivers
Recognizing Family Caregivers as Part of the Health Care Team
Nov 18, 2019
Recent shifts in health care practices have left family caregivers increasingly responsible for medical tasks. Given family caregivers' central role in medical care, there are efforts underway to improve family caregiver integration into the health care team, but there are barriers to effective integration and engagement.
Suicide
More Can Be Done to Save Veterans from Suicide
Nov 4, 2019
A decade of research at RAND has sought to focus the national conversation about suicide in general, and veteran suicide in particular, around solutions that work. The overwhelming message: We could do more to save the lives of veterans like Daniel Somers. Here is his story.
Wildfires
Turning Off Power to Combat Wildfires Could Harm the Very People Who Need Protection
Oct 28, 2019
Intentionally shutting off power may be a practical way to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires. But is it worth the risks? Until more thoughtful and comprehensive decisions are made, planned power outages need to be planned better.
Breast Cancer
Treating Breast Cancer Is Not Just About the Disease: Its Wider Impacts Need to Be Considered, Too
Oct 22, 2019
Successes in the early treatment of breast cancer are to be celebrated. But those achievements need not limit the development of further and better treatment for patients. Understanding the disease's wider effects could help bring this about.
Environmental Science and Technology
The Science of Climate Policy: Q&A with Benjamin Preston
Oct 22, 2019
Benjamin Preston, a senior policy researcher and director of RAND's Community Health and Environmental Policy Program, specializes in climate risk and adaptation, disaster recovery, and resilience. In this Q&A, he discusses common misperceptions about climate change and how to decarbonize the U.S. economy.
Health Care Workforce
Review of Behavioral Health Technician Training, Policies, and Practice Identifies New Opportunities
Oct 15, 2019
Behavioral health technicians are trained to be an essential part of the mental health clinical team, serving as provider extenders who work alongside and support licensed mental health providers. What are the factors that affect these roles? And how can the Military Health System most effectively incorporate them into mental health care settings?
Opioids
Synthetic Opioid Crisis Still Growing, Often Among Unwitting Users
Oct 14, 2019
Although opioid prescriptions in the U.S. have fallen, opioid overdose deaths remain at historic levels. The continued spread of fentanyl and other illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids suggests the problem could still get worse.
Veterans Health Care
How High-Quality Mental Health Care Improves Veterans' Lives
Sep 25, 2019
A growing body of RAND research shows that veterans who receive high-quality care have the best chance of improving their mental health outcomes.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
The Promise and Peril of Offshoring Prescription Drug Pricing
Sep 16, 2019
Most Americans, including Congress and the president, agree that prescription drug prices are too high. Policy proposals from both major parties could promise some relief. Several of them look to drug prices in other countries to help set prices in the United States.
Tackle Fentanyl like a Poisoning Outbreak, Not a Drug Epidemic
Sep 3, 2019
America's fentanyl problem is far deadlier than past crises with other illegal drugs. New ideas, be they public policies, technologies or law enforcement strategies, are desperately needed. Continuing to treat fentanyl just like previous drug epidemics will likely be insufficient and may condemn thousands more to early deaths.
Sleep
I'm a Sleep Specialist. Here's How I Prepare My Two Teenagers for the First Day of School
Aug 15, 2019
Sleep deprivation has measurable negative effects on teens' behavior and health. Early school start times make it difficult for teens to get sufficient sleep. A RAND sleep expert shares how she helps her teens transition from summer back to waking up early for school.
Child Health
Sleep Deprivation Could Do Long-Term Damage to Migrant Children
Jul 22, 2019
The challenges faced by detained children at the U.S. southern border are immense. Sleep disruption may significantly hinder their ability to function physically and mentally. Policymakers shouldn't overlook the importance of providing appropriate sleeping conditions.
Childhood Trauma
After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal
Jul 19, 2019
School shootings leave wounds that affect students, school staff, families, and communities for years. Building community resilience, implementing evidence-based mental health support early, and providing access for survivors and the community immediately and in the long term could help promote healing and prevent more tragedy.

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Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Fentanyl: The Most Dangerous Illegal Drug in America

Giving Patients a Voice in Medical Guidelines

How to Avoid the Season of Regret

Where Science Says to Spend Any U.S. Opioid Settlement Money

Celebrating a Milestone in Drug Policy Research

At the Nexus of the Health Care System and the Community

What Will the Opioid Crisis Look Like in Five Years?

Recognizing Family Caregivers as Part of the Health Care Team

More Can Be Done to Save Veterans from Suicide

Turning Off Power to Combat Wildfires Could Harm the Very People Who Need Protection

Treating Breast Cancer Is Not Just About the Disease: Its Wider Impacts Need to Be Considered, Too

The Science of Climate Policy: Q&A with Benjamin Preston

Review of Behavioral Health Technician Training, Policies, and Practice Identifies New Opportunities

Synthetic Opioid Crisis Still Growing, Often Among Unwitting Users

How High-Quality Mental Health Care Improves Veterans' Lives

The Promise and Peril of Offshoring Prescription Drug Pricing

Tackle Fentanyl like a Poisoning Outbreak, Not a Drug Epidemic

I'm a Sleep Specialist. Here's How I Prepare My Two Teenagers for the First Day of School

Sleep Deprivation Could Do Long-Term Damage to Migrant Children

After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal

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