Letter from the Editor

This issue of RAND Health Quarterly covers a wide range of topics. Two studies examine issues related to the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Eibner and Salzman estimate how eliminating the individual mandate and/or tax credits might affect 2015 individual market premiums and overall insurance coverage. And Martin and colleagues explore why some eligible individuals are not enrolled in private or Medicaid coverage in Colorado and make recommendations on how Colorado can strengthen its future outreach and enrollment efforts.

In the area of global health, Nolte and Corbett look at possible causes that might explain observed international variations in the usage of medicines for five disease areas in 13 high-income countries, assessing evidence for dementia, osteoporosis, cancer, hepatitis C, and diabetes. Mattke et al. address health care delivery, quality, and patient safety: They evaluate Cincinnati's Healthy Communities Initiative, which was launched in 2009 with the goals of improving health care and population health while reducing health care costs. In health promotion and disease prevention, King and colleagues examine the health risks of bathing in recreational waters.

Finally, Farris and Hepner review existing research for guidance on how the U.S. Department of Defense can implement and evaluate efforts to reduce alcohol misuse as part of a larger strategy to reduce the incidence of sexual assault among members of the armed forces.

Andrew W. Mulcahy, Ph.D., M.P.P., Editor