This issue of RAND Health Quarterly focuses on public health and emergency preparedness. A team led by Regina Shih used interview data from public health departments and aging-in-place efforts to explore how alignment between these entities can strengthen the disaster resilience of older adults. Laura Schmitt Olabisi and colleagues used participatory modeling and causal loop diagramming to identify public health issues, examine connections between climate change and public health, and understand feedback loops among climate change impacts and public health. A large team of RAND researchers led by Andrew Morrall synthesized the available scientific evidence on the effects of various firearm policies on firearm deaths, violent crime, the gun industry, participation in hunting and sport shooting, and other outcomes.
In mental health, J. Scott Ashwood and others examined the reach of mental health programs in Los Angeles County and what the impact of those programs has been. In health policy and health economics, Benjamin M. Miller and colleagues developed an approach for estimating the economic benefit of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health research, using three case studies.
Lisa S. Meredith, Ph.D., Editor