RAND Social and Economic Well-Being Commentary

Commentary from RAND researchers on topics related to social and economic well-being.

Communities
COVID-19 Has Offered Opportunities for Communities to Come Together
Jan 13, 2021
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Tamara Dubowitz @TamaraDubowitz, et al.

The past year has been among the most turbulent in recent memory. Might recent crises provide a catalyst for a renewed sense of civic engagement that transcends some of the race and class divisions COVID-19 has exacerbated?
Community-Based Participatory Research
Local Communities Need a Voice in How to 'Build Back Better'
Jan 12, 2021
Max Izenberg, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg

Long before it was popularized and made its way into political slogans and economic recovery battle cries, the phrase “building back better” was a central tenet of disaster recovery and community resilience. How should community voices be incorporated into “building back better” processes?
Disaster Recovery Operations
Previous Disasters Provide Important Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes
Jan 11, 2021
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Ismael Arciniegas Rueda, et al.

As the global community works together to assist Central America in recovering from the disastrous 2020 hurricane season, experiences from other recent disaster recovery efforts offer some helpful lessons, both for the governments of the region as well as outsiders providing resources and support.
Vaccination
The Compensation System for Potential Side Effects Is an Important Part of a COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign
Dec 18, 2020
Nicholas M. Pace, Lloyd Dixon, et al.

Concern about potential COVID-19 vaccine side effects and their consequences may be contributing to Americans' reluctance to get vaccinated. Policymakers and the public should carefully consider what types and levels of compensation for any adverse effects of vaccination are truly fair and appropriate.
Homeless Populations
Unaccompanied Women Become an Official Homeless Subpopulation in LA County
Nov 23, 2020
Alicia Revitsky Locker, Sierra Smucker, et al.

Unaccompanied homeless women are more likely than other subgroups to be chronically homeless, to have mental illness, and to have work limitations. Los Angeles County is now recognizing these women as a subgroup in the official homeless count. An assessment will also be conducted to identify this group's unique needs.
Natural Hazards
Disaster Reporting and Its Impacts on Policy and Inequities
Nov 16, 2020
Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg, Shearon Roberts

Disaster news tropes may capture audience attention, but they ultimately frustrate progress in mitigating the short- and long-term effects of disasters on communities. It's more important than ever that news stories about disasters frame the effects of environmental phenomena in meaningful ways.
Disaster Recovery Operations
What's Missing From Community Disaster Response? The Whole Community
Nov 9, 2020
Gary Cecchine @GaryCecchine, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg

Across the United States, significant gaps exist in disaster response needs and capabilities. Community volunteers have stepped up to fill those gaps where possible. They may need more support and resources.
Wildfires
Another Record-Breaking Fire Season Shows the Need for a Comprehensive Strategy
Nov 6, 2020
Jay Balagna, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg

Year after year, fires across western U.S. states scorch forests, rangeland, and neighborhoods, wreaking havoc on rural economies and pushing smoke into cities. Policymakers should consider a coordinated and comprehensive effort that brings together the best minds in government, communities, and academia.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?
Oct 29, 2020
Christopher Nelson, Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, et al.

Do Americans believe that limiting the spread of COVID-19 justifies the social and economic costs of physical-distancing measures? Researchers conducted a survey to better understand how Americans weigh health against other priorities.
Liability Risk Management
Creating the Right Incentives for State and Local Governments to Reduce Disaster Costs
Oct 14, 2020
Jason Thomas Barnosky, Noreen Clancy, et al.

In the United States, federal, state, and local governments share responsibility for paying for losses from disasters. As the frequency and severity of disasters has increased, so have the losses. It’s worth considering whether the current risk-sharing approach is appropriate.
Energy Security
The Downside of a Lean Electric Grid
Oct 13, 2020
Ismael Arciniegas Rueda, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg @aclarkginsberg

The electric grid is central to U.S. national security. Recent disasters provide an example of the downsides of leanness. It's more costly to be less lean, but given our dependence on the electric grid and the increasing prevalence of disasters, safety and resilience may be greater priorities.
Mental Health Treatment
College Students Need Mental Health Support
Oct 12, 2020
Lisa Sontag-Padilla

Rising mental health problems in the United States have long made health advocates and providers worried about the need for additional support for struggling college students. The pandemic has only exacerbated this concern.
Social Determinants of Health
Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19
Oct 2, 2020
Anita Chandra, Ashley M. Kranz

Today, every American community is sitting at a crossroads, as local governments continue to address the health crisis of COVID-19 while grappling with the financial realities of maintaining operations. While some communities may take a more traditional route of only investing further in health care services, there is an opportunity to take a more holistic approach and address the multitude of factors that have contributed to the devastation of COVID-19.
Homeless Populations
Access to Mobile Technology Could Help with Homelessness
Sep 16, 2020
Sarah B. Hunter, Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, et al.

The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness have cell phones, which often serve as their lifelines. Providing technological supports, such as Wi-Fi access and opportunities to charge devices, could result in better access to social services and, ultimately, better quality of life and outcomes.
Workers' Compensation
Can Workers' Compensation Help Businesses Reopen More Safely?
Sep 9, 2020
Michael Dworsky, Bethany Saunders-Medina

Workers' compensation typically does not cover common infectious diseases like COVID-19. But in the fight against the pandemic, state policymakers might take a fresh look at aspects of labor and business regulation that usually fade into the background and ask if modest changes hold any potential to reduce disease transmission.
Emergency Preparedness
Had We Planned Better for a Pandemic, We Might Be More Free Today
Sep 4, 2020
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Tim McDonald

The COVID-19 pandemic has made Americans less free, confining us to our homes, and separating us from the people we love and things we value doing. This COVID-19 experience may help people to learn the importance of planning to preserving and expanding freedom in an interconnected and complex world.
Workers' Compensation
Should COVID-19 Be Covered by Workers' Compensation?
Aug 31, 2020
Michael Dworsky, Bethany Saunders-Medina

Expanding workers' compensation coverage for COVID-19 could be part of a broader response to ensuring an efficient economic recovery from the pandemic. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?

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Next

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Overcoming Hurdles to Herd Immunity

The Policy Currents Podcast

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change

Improving Psychological Wellbeing and Work Outcomes in the UK

Lightening Body Armor

RAND Social and Economic Well-Being Commentary

COVID-19 Has Offered Opportunities for Communities to Come Together

Local Communities Need a Voice in How to 'Build Back Better'

Previous Disasters Provide Important Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes

The Compensation System for Potential Side Effects Is an Important Part of a COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign

Unaccompanied Women Become an Official Homeless Subpopulation in LA County

Disaster Reporting and Its Impacts on Policy and Inequities

What's Missing From Community Disaster Response? The Whole Community

Another Record-Breaking Fire Season Shows the Need for a Comprehensive Strategy

How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?

Creating the Right Incentives for State and Local Governments to Reduce Disaster Costs

The Downside of a Lean Electric Grid

College Students Need Mental Health Support

Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19

Access to Mobile Technology Could Help with Homelessness

Can Workers' Compensation Help Businesses Reopen More Safely?

Had We Planned Better for a Pandemic, We Might Be More Free Today

Should COVID-19 Be Covered by Workers' Compensation?

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