A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding is associated with a decrease in medication treatment for opioid use disorder, with the greatest declines seen in states with large disenrollments. The study's findings have relevance for upcoming Medicaid cuts, which may impact access to life-saving medication for individuals battling addiction.
Over-the-counter naloxone sales peaked in September 2023 but declined rapidly due to high costs. Despite efforts to increase access, the medication's sales remained limited compared to prescription and free distribution programs.
A new RAND study found that three widely used AI chatbots are generally consistent in responding to very-high-risk and very-low-risk questions about suicide, but inconsistent in answering intermediate-risk questions. ChatGPT and Claude generated appropriate responses to very-low-risk questions, while Gemini's responses were more variable.
According to a RAND report, nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 weight loss medications, with women between 50-64 years old making up about one-fifth of this group. The survey also found that half of those who have used the drugs experience nausea as a side effect, while one-third experience diarrhea.
A new study found that nearly one-third of US public schools mandate mental health screening for students, with many offering in-person treatment or referrals to community mental health professionals. Despite this, principals reported difficulties in providing adequate care due to resource constraints and knowledge gaps.
A recent study found that 11% of Americans used illicit opioids within the past 12 months, with fentanyl use rates significantly higher than previously reported. The survey also revealed intentional and unintentional use patterns, emphasizing the need for more accurate tracking methods to address the nation's opioid crisis.
The RAND survey found that over 80% of public school pre-K teachers use multiple curriculum materials, with some combining materials for specific domains and others creating their own. However, many report insufficient time for instructional planning and professional learning.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that a specialized hospital service can significantly increase patients with opioid use disorder to start FDA-approved medication treatment. The trial showed that patients receiving the service were twice as likely to begin treatment and 72% more likely to link to post-discharge care.
The RAND report highlights issues such as long wait times, boarding patients in emergency department beds, and high uncompensated care, posing risks of closures and staffing shortages. The study recommends a new tiered payment model to address these shortcomings and sustain hospital emergency departments.
A RAND report finds California's multifamily housing costs are 2.3 times higher than Texas, driven by long permitting times and large local development fees. The state's housing market is also characterized by high land costs, expensive labor, and seismic safety standards.
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that AI models can identify appropriate responses to suicidal thoughts with high accuracy. The findings suggest that these large language models can be surprisingly discerning, but may overrate the appropriateness of clinician responses, indicating a need for further improvement.
Virtual breastfeeding support through telelactation services has been shown to increase breastfeeding rates among new mothers, particularly among Black mothers. The study found that 70.6% of mothers who received virtual support reported any breastfeeding at 24 weeks, compared to 66.8% of those without access.
A three-year effort in nine California counties resulted in 227 individuals receiving new sentences, with 174 offenders released by September 2024. Researchers recommend increasing funding, training for prosecutors and public defenders, and standardization of review factors to strengthen the program.
Most mental health crisis services did not increase following the 988 crisis hotline launch, except for a small increase in peer support services. The study found significant declines in psychiatric walk-in and suicide prevention services.
A new RAND study found that the median cost of developing a new drug is $150 million, while the mean cost is $369 million. Excluding high-cost outliers, the average cost drops to $950 million. The study suggests using median costs for policy discussions about pharmaceutical research and development.
Early detection of cognitive impairment helps people prepare for future loss of financial and physical independence. Lifestyle factors like exercise, obesity, and hobbies can increase dementia risk, while regional associations with dementia also play a role.
A RAND study found that hospitals increased the frequency of high-intensity care coding by 41% from 2011 to 2019, resulting in $14.6 billion in extra payments. This upcoding trend was largely driven by increases in heart failure and shock discharges.
A new survey by RAND Corporation found that larger pay increases can help keep K-12 teachers in the workforce. Teachers who received larger pay increases reported being less likely to intend to leave the profession. Additionally, better benefits such as paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement were found to improve teacher retention.
Treating people with major depressive disorder in low-income countries can improve both physical health and household members' depression symptoms. Researchers found a program that built on HIV care infrastructure showed significant improvements in participants and their households.
The study highlights the challenges faced by military/veteran caregivers, including high rates of depression, financial strain, and emotional burden. Many caregivers, particularly those caring for children or individuals under 60, experience unmet needs and feel isolated in their caregiving network.
A new RAND report reveals that psilocybin mushrooms are the most commonly used psychedelic substance in the US, with about 12% of respondents reporting use over their lifetime. The report also highlights concerns about potential policy changes and regulatory frameworks for psychedelics.
The new law requires in-person consent forms, leading to increased administrative tasks and reduced time for direct patient care. Clinics have also reorganized workflows, adjusted staffing, and relocated clinics to adapt to the regulations, causing frustration and anxiety among providers.
A new RAND study found that only a third of outpatient community mental health treatment facilities in the US offer medication treatment for opioid use disorders. Clinics with integrated mental and substance use disorder treatment were more likely to provide such services. The findings suggest efforts are needed to strengthen these ser...
A new report from RAND and UCLA found that extending marriage rights to same-sex couples has grown support for marriage overall. The study also found evidence of improved attitudes toward marriage among young people in states where same-sex couples were granted legal status.
The RAND Corporation report found that private health plans paid hospitals 254% of what Medicare would pay for services, with significant variations among states. This study provides valuable tools for employers to make informed purchasing decisions and aids policymakers in curbing healthcare costs.
A RAND report reveals that many veterans who expressed support for extremist groups experienced significant negative events during military service, including interpersonal conflict, combat trauma, and physical abuse. These experiences often contributed to difficulties transitioning to civilian life and influenced their political views.
A new RAND report emphasizes the importance of collaboration and effective planning in achieving interoperability between 988 and 911 emergency telephone systems. The report found that local champions can aid efforts by establishing priorities, convening stakeholders, and brokering difficult conversations.
According to a RAND Corporation study, over 125 million American adults have experienced the loss of a loved one to a drug overdose. The impact of this loss is significant, with 42.4% of respondents reporting they personally know someone who died by overdose.
A study found that health providers in India often prescribe ineffective treatments for child diarrhea due to misperceptions of caregivers' wishes. However, when patients express a preference for oral rehydration salts, prescribing increases by 27 percentage points.
A new RAND study reveals significant geographic differences in telehealth availability and services offered by mental health clinics across the US. The study found that rural and metropolitan areas had different types of services available, with some clinics not offering virtual medication management or diagnostic services.
A new RAND report finds that most new prescription drugs are sold first in the US before reaching other countries, but become widely available globally within about a year. The study's findings have implications for efforts to reduce high prescription costs in the US.
The study found that prices for unbranded generic drugs are about 67% of the average cost in comparison nations, while name-brand drug prices are 4.22 times higher. The US accounted for 62% of sales but just 24% of volume in 2022, with total drug spending reaching $989 billion.
A new RAND report finds that US insulin prices are more than nine times higher than in 33 high-income countries. After accounting for rebates and discounts, US net prices remained 2.3 times higher. The study updates earlier findings on US insulin prices and highlights the need for policy changes to address these disparities.
A new RAND report suggests that engaging primary care providers in Alzheimer's disease screening and diagnosis could significantly reduce wait times and increase the number of people treated. Primary care practitioners are technically capable of performing cognitive assessments but often do not due to time constraints, researchers say.
The average cost of treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients rose from $10,094 to $13,072 between March 2020 and March 2022, with significant increases for patients with obesity or coagulation deficiencies. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical ventilation also drove up costs.
The number of people affected by tropical cyclones has nearly doubled from 560 million in 2002 to 792 million in 2019, according to a new study. The age distribution of those exposed has shifted towards older adults, while socioeconomically deprived populations are more likely to be exposed.
A new study by RAND Corporation links the nation's opioid crisis to a surge in child suicides, with reformulated prescription opioids contributing to the growth. The analysis found that geographic areas with higher rates of prescription OxyContin misuse experienced sharper growth in child suicide rates.
The RAND Corporation has received a $6 million federal grant to support innovative research center for complementary and integrative health institutions. The new REACH Center will enable these institutions to submit more competitive research grants, increase collaboration, and build infrastructure.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that drug overdose deaths have surged among Americans without a college education, nearly doubling over a three-year period. The findings highlight the potential association between the rise in overdose deaths and barriers to education access, a social determinant of health.
Spending on mental health services for children and adolescents increased by 26% from March 2020 to August 2022, with telehealth use rising 30-fold during the early pandemic phase. In-person care returned to 75% of pre-pandemic levels by August 2022.
Most Ohio students who complete manufacturing-related credentials do not end up employed in the sector, highlighting a challenge for policymakers seeking to create more U.S. manufacturing jobs. Despite higher wages, workers in other fields earn less than those pursuing a manufacturing career.
A RAND Corporation study found that patient experiences with hospitals declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with deficits largest at lower-performing and understaffed facilities. Hospitals with higher staffing levels were more resilient but eventually reported worse experiences as well.
A new study found that mental health spending rose by 53% from March 2020 to August 2022 among privately insured Americans, with in-person care experiencing a significant increase. Despite plateaued telehealth use, overall mental health service use grew nearly 39%. The trend's sustainability remains uncertain.
A RAND Corporation report proposes six policies to boost NYC housing supply by 300,000 units, leading to increased affordability through competition among landlords and naturally occurring affordable housing. The strategies include relaxing density restrictions near public transportation hubs.
State policies expansion telehealth services mental health facilities, with lower growth counties Black residents and Medicaid acceptance. Despite growth, disparities access care persisted during COVID-19 pandemic.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that state policies requiring additional education for buprenorphine prescribers and continuing medical education related to substance misuse significantly increase the use of anti-opioid medication. This is associated with improved quality of life and decreased fatal overdose rates.
A new RAND Corporation report reveals that support among military veterans for extremist groups and beliefs is generally lower than rates seen in the general US population. Despite fears of higher levels of support, researchers found that veterans expressed relatively low support for Antifa and white supremacist groups.
A RAND Corporation study found that methadone use increased sharply among Medicare Advantage enrollees, creating new treatment rather than displacing other medications. The rate of buprenorphine use also rose, particularly among younger enrollees.
A RAND Corporation study found that defendants with legal counsel during initial bail hearings are more likely to receive non-monetary releases and have reduced jail stays. This is attributed to the impact of public defenders on favorable outcomes at the initial bail hearing.
A RAND Corporation study found that audio-only telehealth visits remained common at safety net clinics in California, accounting for 1 in 5 primary care visits and 2 in 5 behavioral health visits. The study raises concerns about the quality of care and equity for low-income patients due to the lack of established effectiveness of audio...