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Health Disparities

Population-specific differences in access to quality health care, whether caused by gender, race, geography, environment, or other factors, can affect individual and community health. RAND research aims to understand the causes of—and thereby reduce disparities in—health outcomes, access, and care at the individual, community, and international levels.

Journal Article

Journal Article

Health, Disability and Mortality Differences at Older Ages Between the US and England

Disease prevalence in the US is higher than in England but differences between the two countries in disability and mortality were much smaller.

Aug 1, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Did the Affordable Care Act's Dependent Coverage Expansion Affect Race/Ethnic Disparities in Health Insurance Coverage?

While the ACA's Dependent Coverage Expansion has increased insurance coverage, it has also widened race/ethnic disparities because it benefits only those young adults whose parents have private coverage.

Aug 1, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Medicare Advantage Associated With More Racial Disparity Than Traditional Medicare For Hospital Readmissions

Risk-reduction strategies adopted by Medicare Advantage plans to prevent hospital readmissions have not succeeded in lowering the markedly higher rates of readmission for black patients compared to white patients.

Jul 26, 2017
Journal Article

Depression Affects Teenage Girls More Often Than Boys

Depression among young people can be linked to low grades, substance abuse, irritability, relationship problems, and suicidal thoughts. In the United States, 36.1 percent of girls experience depression by age 17, compared with 13.6 percent of boys. And the gender gap may start even earlier than previously thought.

Jul 14, 2017
Essay

Chronic Conditions in America: Price and Prevalence

Sixty percent of U.S. adults have at least one chronic condition, and 12 percent have five or more. They account for hundreds of billions of dollars in health care spending every year.

Jul 12, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

A School-Based Public Health Model to Reduce Oral Health Disparities

Broad-based school-community partnerships can help address the unmet oral health needs of low-income children.

Jun 8, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Rapid Growth In Mental Health Telemedicine Use Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries, Wide Variation Across States

The use of mental health telemedicine among rural Medicare patients varies dramatically across states and is highly concentrated both in terms of who receives and who provides this care.

Jun 6, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Sources of Care for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: The Role of the African American Church

Many Los Angeles-area African American churches provide recovery supports and services for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and actively connect individuals to formal AOD treatment.

Jun 6, 2017
News Release

News Release

Burden of Multiple Chronic Health Conditions Graphically Told in New RAND Chartbook

A new publication illustrates the burden that chronic illnesses impose on American society, demonstrating through charts and graphics how 60 percent of American adults suffer from at least one chronic health condition and 42 percent have more than one.

May 31, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Perception of Need for Mental Health Treatment in a US National Sample

There racial/ethnic differences in perception of need for mental health treatment; differences exist across the range of severity of mental illness and among those with no mental illness.

May 31, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Telomere Length and Neighborhood Circumstances: Evaluating Biological Response to Unfavorable Exposures

Studying neighborhood effects on telomere length could provide insight into how neighborhood factors relate to biology.

May 31, 2017
Tool

Multiple Chronic Conditions in America

Sixty percent of Americans have at least one chronic condition. More than 40 percent have more than one. Chronic disease is a burden not only for these patients but also for the health care system.

May 26, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Hispanic Paradox: Race/Ethnicity and Nativity, Immigrant Enclave Residence and Cognitive Impairment Among Older US Adults

Foreign-born Mexican Americans are significantly less likely to experience cognitive impairment as they age than are their US-born socioeconomic peers.

May 5, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Variation in Dermatologist Visits by Sociodemographic Characteristics

Medicaid enrollees are less likely than those with private insurance to see a dermatologist or receive care for a skin condition, suggesting that efforts need to be made to increase access to skin specialists.

Apr 26, 2017
Content

Dr. Pedro José Greer, Jr.'s Philanthropy Supports Community-Based Solutions

Dr. Pedro José Greer, Jr. channels his compassion for those in need into philanthropic support to help RAND address health issues and disparities. He has been involved in RAND's health policy work for nearly 30 years, serving in advisory and leadership roles.

Mar 27, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Attitudes, Practices, and Experiences with Implementing a Patient-Centered Medical Home for Women Veterans

Strengthening positive attitudes toward female veterans may matter more than changing women’s health practice characteristics alone.

Mar 14, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

How Does Incarcerating Young People Affect Their Adult Health Outcomes?

Youth who spend time in jail may need extra support from pediatricians to minimize long-term physical and mental health effects of incarceration.

Mar 13, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Differences in Depression Care for Men and Women Among Veterans with and Without Psychiatric Comorbidities

VA is providing appropriate care for depression to both men and women, with no significant gender differences.

Jan 27, 2017
News Release

News Release

Improving Healthy Offerings by Food Trucks Is Possible, but Regulation May Be Needed to Sustain Efforts

Convincing low-cost lunch truck operators and their customers to embrace healthier food is possible. But regulation of menus and better marketing may be needed to make long-lasting changes.

Jan 23, 2017
Report

2016 RAND Summer Institute

Video session from the 23rd Annual RAND Summer Institute, held July 11-14, 2016, in Santa Monica, California, which addresses critical issues facing our aging population.

Jan 6, 2017

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