Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Will Thanksgiving Be a National Super-Spreader Event?
Nov 24, 2020

Whether or not Thanksgiving will become a national super-spreader event will depend on the size of individual holiday gatherings across the country and the rate of COVID-19 cases in each community. December could be a grim month if people don't stay home on Thanksgiving.
Controlled Substances and Illegal Drugs
Being Mindful About Changing Psychedelic Policy in California
Nov 10, 2020

The question for California isn't really if psychedelic policy will change, but more likely how—and how quickly. Now is the time for the California State Legislature to consider holding hearings on psychedelics and creating a commission to assess regulatory options.
Veterans Health Care
A Voice for Veterans on Capitol Hill: Q&A with Terri Tanielian
Nov 6, 2020

Terri Tanielian, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and an internationally recognized expert on military and veteran health, spent six months as a fellow with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. She helped the committee develop a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.
Health Behaviors
When In Doubt, Do What Doesn't Come Naturally
Nov 5, 2020

When we are feeling anxious or depressed or otherwise bad, we experience a variety of urges toward things that we think will make us feel better, but ultimately make us feel worse. Connecting with a friend, exercising, accomplishing a task, and helping others are some things that can actually help.
Affordable Care Act
COVID-19: Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World?
Nov 4, 2020

The Affordable Care Act is far from perfect, but its protections are particularly relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the ACA is struck down, then protections for preexisting conditions will go with it. Policymakers should consider the potential implications for millions of COVID-19 survivors.
Veterans Health Care
There's Help for Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Nov 4, 2020

Many post-9/11 veterans who have PTSD or depression also struggle with substance use. There are clinically proven treatments to help break the cycle of the co-occurring disorders, but the VA and other facilities need guidance on how to expand and enhance treatment opportunities for these veterans.
Military Health and Health Care
All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards
Oct 30, 2020

Millions of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans experience life-changing invisible wounds, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries. While effective treatments are available, many veterans lack access to high-quality care. And what high-quality care means, exactly, has been elusive.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?
Oct 29, 2020

Do Americans believe that limiting the spread of COVID-19 justifies the social and economic costs of physical-distancing measures? Researchers conducted a survey to better understand how Americans weigh health against other priorities.
Social Determinants of Health
Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19
Oct 2, 2020

Today, every American community is sitting at a crossroads, as local governments continue to address the health crisis of COVID-19 while grappling with the financial realities of maintaining operations. While some communities may take a more traditional route of only investing further in health care services, there is an opportunity to take a more holistic approach and address the multitude of factors that have contributed to the devastation of COVID-19.
Health Care Quality
When It Comes to U.S. Health Systems—Diversity Matters
Sep 25, 2020

Health care systems are a powerful and relatively well-resourced stakeholder in the effort to eliminate inequities both among the health workforce and among patient populations. The deliberate practice of increasing diversity within the workplace may have the power to create significant, positive impacts on workplace culture and patient care.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Are a Vicious Cycle for Veterans
Sep 15, 2020

It is not uncommon to see a co-occurrence of PTSD and heavy use of substances, which can rise to the level of a substance use disorder. It may be necessary to challenge how the needs of veterans are addressed to remove barriers to care that make treating these co-occurring disorders simultaneously so difficult.
Telemedicine
What Telemedicine Needs to Succeed Beyond COVID-19
Sep 2, 2020

Virtual doctor visits have become part of the new normal. Since the first COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Medicare and other payers have relaxed their rules to make it easier for patients to connect to care. But without permanent policy changes, physicians may not continue telemedicine services.
Epidemiology
Do Children Really Transmit COVID-19 Less Than Adults? The Evidence Is Questionable
Aug 31, 2020

The theory that children are unlikely to contract or spread COVID-19 may feel reassuring, but it's based on flawed science. Until more is known, adopting aggressive strategies to limit viral spread in schools is the best way to keep students and teachers safe.
Educational Institutions
To Reopen Schools Safely, Prepare for New COVID-19 Test Capabilities
Aug 28, 2020

Safely reopening K–12 schools for in-person instruction requires complicated protocols ranging from symptom monitoring to physical distancing, as well as containment of transmission in the community. State policymakers and school leaders could begin planning now to draft, pilot, and evaluate protocols for reopening schools that incorporate rapid testing.
Public Health Preparedness
A Stable Blood Supply Is Critical in the COVID-19 Era
Aug 27, 2020

Millions of lives depend on the U.S. blood supply. But no one knows exactly how much blood is in the system at any given time, or whether it's enough to meet demand. The federal government has no way to collect that data, and hospitals don't share it with each other. What can be done to strengthen the system?
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
It's Going to Be the Vaccination, Stupid!
Aug 21, 2020

The increasingly positive news on COVID-19 vaccine development is also bringing growing alarm over whether Americans will trust these vaccines when they become available. While we were clearly not prepared for this virus, we now need to understand how we are going to roll out any proven vaccine.
Health Information Privacy
Mobile Health Surveillance Is Here to Stay. How Do We Protect Privacy?
Aug 20, 2020

Mobile phone surveillance can augment public health interventions to manage COVID-19 and might help countries prepare for the next outbreak. But these programs collect sensitive health and behavior data. That raises significant risks to personal privacy and civil liberties.
Telemedicine
Moving on from Telehealth-by-Desperation: What Will Make Telehealth Stick
Aug 18, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic telehealth has helped to maintain continuity of care for millions of Americans, preserve personal protective equipment, and facilitate social distancing. But that does not mean that telehealth will be embraced by patients and providers in the long run.
Gender Equity in the Workplace
The Link Between Workplace Diversity and the Gender Pay Gap
Aug 15, 2020

Many factors explain the gender earnings gap, including workplace biases, differences in how credit is attributed, and differences in how men and women negotiate. But another factor could influence the pay women receive: the number of men in their workplace.
Vaccination
Who Would Benefit from a Successful Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine?
Aug 12, 2020

China, one of the world's largest producers of vaccines, could be among the first to produce one for COVID-19. If that happens, then would China be able to produce sufficient doses for domestic use? And which other countries would likely benefit?

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Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Will Thanksgiving Be a National Super-Spreader Event?

Being Mindful About Changing Psychedelic Policy in California

A Voice for Veterans on Capitol Hill: Q&A with Terri Tanielian

When In Doubt, Do What Doesn't Come Naturally

COVID-19: Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World?

There's Help for Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards

How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?

Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19

When It Comes to U.S. Health Systems—Diversity Matters

PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Are a Vicious Cycle for Veterans

What Telemedicine Needs to Succeed Beyond COVID-19

Do Children Really Transmit COVID-19 Less Than Adults? The Evidence Is Questionable

To Reopen Schools Safely, Prepare for New COVID-19 Test Capabilities

A Stable Blood Supply Is Critical in the COVID-19 Era

It's Going to Be the Vaccination, Stupid!

Mobile Health Surveillance Is Here to Stay. How Do We Protect Privacy?

Moving on from Telehealth-by-Desperation: What Will Make Telehealth Stick

The Link Between Workplace Diversity and the Gender Pay Gap

Who Would Benefit from a Successful Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine?

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