Letter from the Editor

This issue of RAND Health Quarterly features three articles on health policy and health economics. Jeanne Ringel, Dana Schultz, and colleagues modeled how different policy options would affect a child's pathway through the child welfare system, costs, and early adulthood outcomes. A team led by Andrew Mulcahy estimated potential future savings from biosimilars (biologic drugs that are very similar to already approved "reference" biologics in terms of potency, safety, and efficacy but are manufactured by different companies). Denise Quigley and two other researchers assessed California workers' compensation–required reports and compared the elements and processes with other systems to inform potential improvements.

In health promotion and disease prevention, Jill Cannon and others synthesized evidence on the outcomes, costs, and benefits of early childhood programs. In mental health, a team led by Michael Stephen Dunbar evaluated the results of the Connections to Care mental health program in New York City. In military health, Terri Tanielian and colleagues evaluated the progress made and challenges faced by the Welcome Back Veterans initiative.

Two reports by teams led by Sonja Marjanovic focus on health delivery, quality, and patient safety. The first team worked with researchers from the University of Manchester to evaluate the potential of innovation to respond to the challenges that the National Health Service faces. Another team evaluated three urgent and emergency care vanguards that aimed to improve services.

Lisa S. Meredith, Ph.D., Editor