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Public health refers to social, cultural, economic, and geographic conditions that affect a population's well-being. To assist local, national, and international health agencies and organizations, RAND conducts research on public health issues including disaster preparedness and recovery; surveillance, prevention, and management of infectious disease outbreaks; screening for and prevention of chronic diseases; and ways to strengthen the public health infrastructure.

  • Specimens of Aedes aegypti mosquito are displayed during a campaign to raise awareness of Zika virus at the Health Ministry in Lima, Peru, January 27, 2016, photo by Mariana Bazo/Reuters

    Commentary

    Fighting the Zika Virus: What Public Health Officials Need to Do

    Jan 28, 2016

    For now, public health officials and their partners must do all they can to control Zika virus, using the tools at hand. That may include instituting a public health campaign to reduce mosquito-breeding sites and promoting prudent protection against mosquito bites.

  • Over 5,000 weapons confiscated from criminals in Los Angeles County and collected through a gun buyback program were melted and reformed as steel in Rancho Cucamonga, California, July 2013, photo by David McNew/Reuters

    Commentary

    Gun Violence: Where Is the Research That Might Save Lives?

    Nov 5, 2015

    Gun violence is an important public health problem that accounts for more than 33,000 deaths each year in the United States. But in 1996, Congress stripped the CDC of funding for any research that could be associated with gun control advocacy. The lack of CDC funding has deterred researchers.

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