Gulf Coast States

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When Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, RAND created the Gulf States Policy Institute to support hurricane recovery and long-term economic development. The institute continues to provide objective analysis—on a range of issues from coastal protection and restoration to health care and workforce development—to government leaders in support of evidence-based policymaking and the well-being of individuals throughout the Gulf States region.

  • A bird soars over the gulf

    Project

    RAND Gulf States Policy Institute

    Established in December 2005 to support hurricane recovery and long-term economic development, the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute is dedicated to developing informed public policy in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and a better future for the people who live there.

    Sep 6, 2012

  • Crab fisherman Mike Taylor Jr. shows his catch of blue crabs in Pointe a la Hache near New Orleans, US, 6 April 2015. 20 April 2015 marks the 5th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico which took place on 20 April 2010. Photo by Johannes Schmitt-Tegge/dpa/Alamy Live New

    Report

    Building Community Resilience to Large Oil Spills

    How can communities build resilience to large oil spills? This report examines the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and how communities' resilience to similar threats could be improved.

    Jul 6, 2020

Explore Gulf Coast States

  • Aerial photos of New Jersey coastline in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

    Commentary

    In Wake of Hurricane Sandy, Look to Louisiana for Lessons

    Just as public agencies across the country conducted terrorism risk assessments in the wake of 9/11, a comprehensive infrastructure assessment may be in order to understand natural hazard risks and the potential exacerbating effects of climate change, write Gary Cecchine, David Groves, and Jordan Fischbach.

    Nov 1, 2012

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    CLARA Flood Risk Model Supports Louisiana's Coastal Planning

    The Coastal Louisiana Risk Assessment (CLARA) model estimates hurricane flood depths and damage and enables evaluation of potential flood risk reduction projects for inclusion in Louisiana's 2012 Coastal Master Plan.

    Oct 10, 2012

  • sandbags flood relief

    Report

    Risk Assessment Model Helps Louisiana Plan for Storm Surges

    The Coastal Louisiana Risk Assessment (CLARA) model developed by RAND estimates flood depths and damage that occurs as a result of major storms in Louisiana's coastal region and was used to evaluate potential projects for inclusion in the state's 2012 Coastal Master Plan.

    Oct 8, 2012

  • consultants meeting with computer

    Report

    Planning Tool Supports Louisiana's Coastal Protection Decisionmaking

    The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Planning Tool that RAND developed provided technical analysis for Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast. A technical description of the tool and associated analyses explains how the tool works.

    Sep 27, 2012

  • Flooded I-10/I-610/West End Blvd interchange and surrounding area of northwest New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana

    Project

    Reducing New Orleans Storm-Surge Flood Risk in an Uncertain Future

    Preparing for natural disasters is a long, multi-faceted process that requires years of planning, coordination, and direct action. RAND has developed a new approach for assessing hurricane flood risk in New Orleans under uncertainty and evaluating city-wide approaches for reducing this risk.

    Sep 10, 2012

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    The Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Patient Experiences with Health Care

    Perceptions of discrimination based on race/ethnicity and Medicaid insurance are prevalent and are associated with substantially lower CAHPS reports and ratings of care. Practices must develop and implement strategies to reduce perceived discrimination among patients.

    Sep 1, 2012

  • USACE New Orleans District Mississippi River Tie-In

    Commentary

    Has the Gulf Coast Learned Katrina's Lessons in Time for Isaac?

    Seven years after Hurricane Katrina, it's clear that New Orleans and other cities along the Gulf Coast are applying what they learned then in preparation for Hurricane Isaac, write Gary Cecchine and Jordan R. Fischbach.

    Aug 29, 2012

  • African-American science teacher and female chemistry student

    Project

    Are Charter Schools a Good Option in the Gulf States?

    In an effort to improve public education, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have each examined the potential of charter schools. For nearly two decades, RAND has conducted objective, evidence-based research on choice-based education reforms to help education policymakers make the right decisions for their communities.

    Aug 21, 2012

  • Project

    Managing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Gulf States

    HIV/AIDS can rightly be called an epidemic in the Gulf States. RAND has examined attitudes and beliefs about HIV and AIDS, the roles of faith-based and community organizations, and issues regarding AIDS treatment; this research can help Congressional, state, and local policymakers understand how to approach the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS in the region.

    Jun 28, 2012

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 2014

    Commentary

    Gulf States Among Top in New HIV, AIDS Cases

    Improving HIV prevention and medical care delivery to persons living with HIV/AIDS should be a collaborative effort, particularly in the Gulf States region, where resources are limited but the epidemic is expanding, writes Vivian Towe.

    Jun 27, 2012

  • Sunset over New Orleans and the Mississippi River

    Blog

    Bringing Sustainability to the Louisiana Coast

    Policy Researcher David Groves describes RAND's role in helping to develop a plan to guide Louisiana's coastal investments, help its coastal citizens plan for the future, and create a sustainable coast.

    Jun 7, 2012

  • Houses are partially submerged in flood waters after a Hurricane Isaac levee breach in Braithwaite, Louisiana August 31, 2012

    Multimedia

    Bringing Sustainability to the Louisiana Coast

    Policy Researcher David Groves describes RAND's role in helping to develop a plan to guide Louisiana's coastal investments, help its coastal citizens plan for the future, and create a sustainable coast.

    Jun 4, 2012

  • Periodical

    Periodical

    RAND Review: Vol. 36, No. 1, Spring 2012

    Stories cover Iran's nuclear threat, social security in Mexico, programs for veterans, crime costs, U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, the health insurance mandate, legal defense, marijuana legalization, global education, and Louisiana's coastal planning.

    May 11, 2012

  • An aerial view of the flooded roads and fields in Louisiana are shown after Hurricane Lili

    Commentary

    A Flood of Innovation: Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan

    Michael D. Rich, RAND's president and chief executive officer, explains how RAND computer models and empirical analyses are helping protect and restore the Louisiana coast.

    May 10, 2012

  • Alabama state capitol Montgomery

    Project

    Examining the Potential Impact of Alabama's Immigration Law

    Alabama's anti-illegal immigration law is regarded as the strictest in the United States and raises several enforcement challenges for police, schools, and other public service providers such as hospitals. RAND research on the costs and benefits of immigration may prove instructive.

    Feb 27, 2012

  • Report

    Report

    Technology Grant Helps Dallas Police Department Modernize Operations

    The Dallas Police Department received a $5 million grant in 2006 to install laptops and video recorders in patrol cars and thus modernize its operations. RAND evaluated the initiative and found it to be generally successful, despite some implementation problems.

    Jan 18, 2012

  • Report

    Report

    Evaluating the Communities Foundation of Texas's Gift to the Dallas Police Department: The Caruth Police Institute's First Leadership Course

    An evaluation of the first course offered by the Caruth Police Institute at Dallas, supported by funds from the Communities Foundation of Texas, considered participants' opinions of the course's impact on various aspects of their jobs.

    Jan 18, 2012

  • Announcement

    RAND Supports Development of Louisiana's 2012 Coastal Master Plan

    RAND helped Louisiana develop its 2012 Coastal Master Plan to guide the state's coastal investments and help its coastal citizens plan for the future. The plan strikes a balance between providing immediate relief to hard hit areas and laying groundwork for large-scale efforts.

    Jan 13, 2012

  • Report

    Report

    National Evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches: Assessing Program Outcomes

    Shares the results of Safe Start Promising Approaches, a community-based initiative that implemented and evaluated promising and evidence-based programs to prevent and reduce the impact of children's exposure to violence in 15 U.S. program sites.

    Jan 4, 2012

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