Skip to section navigation
Skip to page content

RAND > Topics >

Homeland Security and Public Safety

Featured

RAND conducts analyses and makes recommendations to strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security across its full set of missions to prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage America's borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard and secure cyberspace, and strengthen preparedness and resilience. In the area of public safety, RAND research addresses drug policy, crime, prison reform, and prisoner reentry, and other topics.

Project

Informing the Gun Policy Debate

Mar 2, 2018

RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative provides information on what scientific research can tell us about the effects of gun laws. Our goal is to establish a shared set of facts that will improve public discussions and support the development of fair and effective gun policies.
Commentary

New Border Policy Could Have Unintended Consequences

May 21, 2018

The Trump administration has announced significant policy changes to deter migrants from coming to America. These changes will likely have a significant impact on border operations and the federal court system. But it's less clear whether they will have the intended impact of reducing illegal immigration.

Topics in Focus:

Explore Homeland Security and Public Safety

News Release

Risky Prescribing of Opioids Linked to More Fatal Overdoses and Other Deaths

When patients are prescribed opioids in risky ways, their chance of dying increases, and their odds of death go higher as the number of risky opioid prescriptions increases.

Jun 18, 2018
News Release

RAND to Help Oversee Effort to Increase Funding for Research on Gun Violence

RAND has been selected to help oversee a philanthropic fund that will support high-quality research on issues related to gun violence. Over the next five years, research sponsored by the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research will seek data-driven answers on the causes and patterns of gun-related violence in America.

May 31, 2018
News Release

Adolescents Who View More Medical Marijuana Advertising Are More Likely to Use Marijuana, Have Positive Views About the Drug

Adolescents who view more advertising for medical marijuana are more likely to use marijuana, express intentions to use the drug, and have more-positive expectations about the substance. An increasing amount of advertising about marijuana may prompt young people to increase their use of the drug.

May 17, 2018
News Release

Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Can Deliver Routine Care to Affected People Following Natural Disasters

Direct-to-consumer telemedicine is a viable way to deliver medical care in the days following a natural disaster, although most people who use such services do so for routine matters rather than disaster-caused illnesses.

Apr 25, 2018
News Release

News Release

To Protect Overseas Interests, China Likely to Rely More on Contractors and Host Nation Forces Than Its Own Military

China is far less likely to involve its military in security activities abroad than has been the case for the United States or for imperial powers of previous centuries. To bolster security for the Belt and Road Initiative and other economic activities abroad, China will instead rely heavily on civilian contractors and host nation-provided forces, with Chinese military and paramilitary forces playing an important but limited role.

Mar 27, 2018
News Release

News Release

Large-Scale Study on Gun-Policy Effects Finds Important Gaps in Existing Research; Exceptions Include Child Access ...

One of the largest-ever studies of U.S. gun policy finds there is a shortage of evidence about the effects of most gun laws, although researchers from the RAND Corporation found there is some persuasive evidence about the effects of several common gun policies. RAND's sweeping Gun Policy in America initiative also evaluated the views of gun policy experts with opposing perspectives on the likely effects of gun laws to identify where compromise might be possible.

Mar 2, 2018
News Release

News Release

Link Between Medical Marijuana and Fewer Opioid Deaths Is More Complex Than Previously Reported

The association between medical marijuana and lower levels of opioid overdose deaths—identified previously in several studies—is more complex than previously described. It appears to be changing as both medical marijuana laws and the opioid crisis evolve.

Feb 6, 2018
News Release

News Release

Showing Adolescents Graphic Anti-Smoking Posters May Encourage Some to Try Smoking

Exposing teens to graphic anti-smoking posters may actually increase the risk that some start smoking. Some teens who viewed a poster depicting gruesome displays of smoking-caused diseases actually reported being more susceptible to cigarette smoking after viewing the displays during a shopping trip.

Dec 13, 2017
News Release

News Release

Supportive Housing for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles Saves Money During First Year

A public-private effort to provide permanent supportive housing to people in Los Angeles County with complex medical and behavioral health issues who were experiencing homelessness caused a significant drop in their use of public services, resulting in an overall savings to local government.

Dec 5, 2017
News Release

News Release

Satellite Imagery Analysis Reveals Economic Decay Within Islamic State

The Islamic State contributed to a 23 percent reduction in the GDP of cities under its control, based on novel applications of satellite-derived data. Over the course of its peak territorial control and decline through mid-2016, the economy of the Islamic State showed clear signs of decay across multiple sectors.

Sep 13, 2017
News Release

News Release

Treatment for Opioid or Alcohol Abuse Can Be Successful in Primary Care Settings

Combining substance abuse treatment with regular medical care can successfully treat people with opioid or alcohol addiction, providing an option that might expand treatment and lower the cost of caring for people caught up in the nation's opioid epidemic.

Sep 5, 2017
News Release

News Release

US Weapons Main Source of Illegal Arms Trade on the Dark Web

The illegal sales on the dark web of firearms, weapons, explosives, and banned digital guides on homemade products present challenges for law enforcement agencies and national governments. Its potential to anonymously arm criminals and terrorists, as well as vulnerable and fixated individuals, is the most dangerous aspect.

Jul 19, 2017
News Release

News Release

Three Possible Measures for Quality Medical Care May Help Cut Deaths from Opioid Addiction by One-Third

Following three possible recommendations for medical care for people with an opioid addiction may cut deaths among such patients by as much as one-third. Deaths were much lower among patients who were not prescribed opioids or common types of anxiety medications, those who received psychosocial counseling, and those who had quarterly visits with a physician.

Jun 27, 2017
News Release

News Release

Too Little Evidence Available to Determine Cost Savings of Crime Reform Initiative for Los Angeles County

While a California ballot initiative reducing penalties for some criminal offenses promised to save local governments money, quantifying such savings will require significant changes in the way local agencies track workloads.

Jun 15, 2017
News Release

News Release

Islamic State Control of People Down 83% in Iraq and 56% in Syria from Peak Levels

The Islamic State has lost substantial control of territory and people but still conducts and inspires attacks around the world. The U.S. should pursue a light rollback strategy that relies on local forces backed by U.S. special operations forces, intelligence assets, and airpower.

Apr 20, 2017
News Release

News Release

Rising Flood Insurance Costs a Growing Burden to Communities and Homeowners in New York City

Hurricane Sandy underscored the need for greater resilience to flooding. Insurance is part of the strategy, but it is spotty among one- to four-family properties in New York and is difficult for some to afford. Adding to the challenge is direction from Congress to phase out subsidies in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Mar 27, 2017
News Release

News Release

RAND Study Examines 200 Real-World 'Zero-Day' Software Vulnerabilities

Zero-day software vulnerabilities—security holes that developers haven't fixed or aren't aware of—can lurk undetected for years. They are useful in cyber operations and in defensive and academic settings. Whether to disclose or stockpile them is an ongoing debate.

Mar 9, 2017
News Release

News Release

Rise of Technology in Criminal Proceedings Poses Risk to Protecting Individuals' Rights

Personal devices like fitness trackers and smartphones are likely to be used increasingly in criminal investigations. Such technology offers new tools to law enforcement, but raises unique issues regarding constitutional rights such as self-incrimination.

Jan 10, 2017
News Release

News Release

China Invests Warily in Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to become more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
News Release

News Release

Changes Needed to Fortify U.S. Blood System from Financial and Biological Threats

Medical advances have reduced the demand for blood in the United States, creating financial pressure on the nation's blood collection centers and threatening their future survival.

Nov 28, 2016

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next

RAND Topic:
Homeland Security and Public Safety

Topic Synonyms:
Homeland Defense

Research conducted by