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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.

Q&A
The End of the U.S. COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Q&A with RAND Experts
We asked RAND experts to reflect on the past three years: What were the effects on the United States and around the world, what has changed, what are the most important takeaways, what was done right, and what was done wrong? At the same time, they looked ahead to what might be done to mitigate the health and geopolitical impacts of future pandemics.
May 8, 2023
Project
Informing the Gun Policy Debate
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.
Jan 10, 2023

Explore Public Health

Journal Article
Artificial Intelligence in the COVID-19 Response: Volume 2, Strategies to Improve the Impact of AI on Health Equity
This report examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the COVID-19 pandemic response and describes 66 AI applications — specific products or tools — used in clinical care and 54 AI applications used to inform public health decision-making.
Jun 22, 2023
Journal Article
Barriers to the Engagement of Complementary and Integrative Health Providers in Public Health Responses to COVID-19: Recommendations From a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel
This project explored barriers to the involvement of complementary and integrative health providers in the public health response to COVID-19 and potential solutions for their future involvement in public health crises.
Jun 22, 2023
Project
Evaluation of California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives
The RAND Corporation is evaluating California's statewide prevention and early intervention programs, which aim to reduce negative outcomes for people experiencing mental illness.
Jun 13, 2023
Journal Article
Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Has COVID-19 Changed American Attitudes?
This study explores how personal experiences of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes about institutions (government and business), and views of social change could either pose challenges or help with planning for the next pandemic.
Jun 7, 2023
Journal Article
Artificial Intelligence in the COVID-19 Response: Volume 1, Applications Used in the Clinical and Public Health Response to COVID-19
This report examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the COVID-19 pandemic response and describes 66 AI applications, specific products, or tools used in clinical care and 54 AI applications used to inform public health decision-making.
Jun 2, 2023
Commentary
Public Health's Failure to Communicate with Communities of Color
Misinformation thrived during the pandemic, exacerbating health inequities. To meet its core mission, the public health field needs to engage more actively, particularly in communities it has historically failed to equitably protect.
May 17, 2023
Blog
Reflecting on the Pandemic, RAND Turns 75, Labor Trafficking: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, 75 years of influential RAND research, reducing labor trafficking in the United States, and more.
May 12, 2023
Commentary
The Changing Landscape of Health Literacy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the official public health emergency ended, now is a good time to reflect on the changing landscape of health literacy and consider how we can improve health communication in the future.
May 9, 2023
Blog
Ukraine's Recovery, Mental Health First Aid, School Staffing: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the trade-offs of Ukraine's reconstruction, the effects of a Mental Health First Aid training program, school staffing challenges, and more.
May 5, 2023
Commentary
An Opportunity to Learn from Our COVID-19 Successes and Failures
COVID-19 showed that the U.S. pandemic response plans of the past were no match for a protracted nationwide health emergency. What lessons were learned that could help the United States effectively protect its population and other vital national interests going forward?
Apr 27, 2023
Journal Article
Veteran Knowledge, Perceptions, and Receipt of Care Following Visits to VA Emergency Departments for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions
Using explanatory sequential mixed methods, we interviewed Veterans with follow-up care needs after ACSC-related ED visits, and manually reviewed ED notes, abstracting interviewees' documented follow-up needs and care received.
Apr 27, 2023
Report
The societal and indirect economic burden of seasonal influenza in the United Kingdom
Societal burden of seasonal influenza, impact on workforce productivity and provision of UK NHS services, indirect economic costs (non-medical) due to labour-productivity losses.
Apr 27, 2023
Journal Article
Association Between Hospital Adoption of an Emergency Department Treatment Pathway for Opioid Use Disorder and Patient Initiation of Buprenorphine After Discharge
Researchers evaluated the association between hospitals attesting to an emergency department buprenorphine treatment Opioid Hospital Quality Improvement Program (O-HQIP) pathway and patients' subsequent initiation of buprenorphine treatment.
Apr 20, 2023
Multimedia
What Does Environmental Justice Look Like? Two Case Studies
The RAND Corporation has partnered with community organizations and activists in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and San Diego, California to show how community engagement can contribute to environmental justice for residents affected by neighborhood disinvestment.
Apr 19, 2023
Journal Article
Changes in Poison Center Calls for Intentional Exposure During Public Health Emergencies: COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri in Dallas County, Texas
This study explored changes in the volume of calls to poison control centers for intentional exposures in Dallas County, Texas. Changes in call volume varied by gender and age and increased during the local COVID-19 surge.
Mar 23, 2023
News Release
On World Sleep Day, New Research Reveals the Socioeconomic Impact of Insomnia on Global Populations
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and exacts a significant toll on an individual's mental and physical health, quality of life, and productivity. But the consequences of insomnia go well beyond the individual, with cascading effects on families, employers, and global economies.
Mar 17, 2023
Commentary
Healthy Nation, Safe Nation: Build Health Security into National Security
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a need for a more-robust health security paradigm within the broader national security context. But addressing preparedness and response shortfalls for national-level challenges might not be fully possible without first addressing the glaring seams and gaps between the various stakeholder communities.
Mar 17, 2023
Report
The societal and economic burden of insomnia in adults: An international study
This study sought to examine the societal and economic burden of insomnia through a literature review, secondary database analyses and economic modelling. Findings indicate a substantial burden.
Mar 16, 2023
Journal Article
Capacities of Health Systems in Climate Migrant Receiving Communities: Insights in the US Gulf Coast
This report examines how health care delivery systems in receiving communities meet the needs of climate migrants in three case study sites in the US Gulf Coast.
Mar 1, 2023

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Research conducted by

RAND Health Care

Researcher Spotlight

Kathryn E. Bouskill

Social Scientist

Kathryn (Casey) Bouskill is a social scientist at the RAND Corporation. She is also professor of core coursework at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. An anthropologist by training, Bouskill draws on qualitative and quantitative methods to study a range of sociocultural- and health-related issues.…
Marika Booth

Statistical Analyst

Marika Suttorp Booth (she/her) is a statistical analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her current projects include systematic reviews and meta-analysis of social health determinants and robotic bariatric surgery. She analyzes the impact of socio-economic and disability status on STAR ratings and is…

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