A new study by the RAND Corporation finds that Oregon's efforts to expand health insurance coverage may face obstacles, including federal waivers and potential provider shortages. The analysis of three proposals suggests that universal coverage models may be more feasible than initially thought, but come with tradeoffs and unknown effe...
The use of personal technology in criminal investigations raises concerns about individuals' rights, including self-incrimination. The legal system is not yet prepared to address these emerging issues, and courts and law enforcement agencies need to educate themselves on how to properly use and address these technologies.
Infants in participating families used significantly less medical services during the first year of life, with a one-third reduction in emergency room visits and fewer primary care doctor visits. The program also benefited low-risk families, suggesting its benefits extend beyond those at risk for problems.
A new report by RAND Corporation offers guidance on promoting effective school leadership as a strategy for student achievement. The study synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of school leadership interventions and identifies allowable activities under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
A new study found that most kids' menu items at top restaurants exceed the recommended calorie count, with fried potatoes being the most excessive. Experts recommend adjusting portion sizes and menus to meet children's needs, providing an opportunity for restaurants to promote healthier options and reduce childhood obesity.
A new report by RAND Corporation finds that the US loses 1.2 million working days annually due to sleep deprivation, leading to significant economic losses. Increasing nightly sleep from under six hours to seven hours could add $226.4 billion to the economy.
A new RAND Corporation study found that community college students participating in the Single Stop U.S.A. Community College Initiative were more likely to persist in attending college. The initiative provides a comprehensive range of support services, including financial assistance and wraparound services for essential needs like hous...
The US blood system is under pressure due to reduced demand, technological advancements, and emerging pathogens. To address these challenges, researchers recommend targeted government oversight, comprehensive data collection, and subsidy support for blood centers to maintain surge capacity.
A RAND Corporation study found that 20% of US households view having a landline as the most important telecommunications choice. In contrast, mobile telephones dominate communications for most people, with 3.5 times more importance than landlines.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that individuals with high health insurance literacy are more likely to gain coverage after the Affordable Care Act exchanges opened. The study, which surveyed over 2,700 adults, found a significant association between financial literacy and health insurance status.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that retail clinics near hospital emergency departments did not reduce visits to emergency departments for minor health ailments. The study examined over 2,000 emergency departments across 23 states and found no significant reduction in low-acuity visit rates despite increased retail clinic access.
A new RAND Corporation report reveals that Louisiana teachers are more likely to consult classroom resources and provide instruction aligned with their state standards. This success may offer lessons for other states on how to encourage teacher alignment.
A new RAND Corporation report highlights the need for clearer US rules on targeted killing using drones. The study proposes a framework that balances protection of civilians and human rights with flexibility in the fight against terrorism. By adopting such an approach, the US can build public support at home and abroad.
Elementary school students who attended summer learning programs for at least 20 days experienced benefits in math and reading. High attenders showed a 20-25% academic advantage, while also exhibiting stronger social and emotional competencies.
A national study on low-value health services found that $32.8 million was spent on 28 procedures in 2013, accounting for 0.5% of total spending. The most expensive procedures were spinal injections and imaging tests for low-back pain.
Researchers combined high-performance computing with public policy analysis to stress-test several water management strategies in near real time. The 'deliberation-with-analysis' method was used, which provides detailed options but can be slow, and was customized using supercomputer simulations to speed up decision-making.
A RAND Corporation study found that people who gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act's expansion increased their prescription drug use by 28% and had lower out-of-pocket spending. Those with chronic conditions saw even larger increases in prescriptions filled and reductions in costs.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that opponents of ISIS outnumber supporters 6 to 1 on Twitter. Despite this, ISIS supporters are more active online, producing 50% more tweets than opponents on a typical day. The study suggests that U.S. officials should support opponents of ISIS on Twitter with social media trainings and engagements.
The RAND Corporation has launched a web-based guide to support community leaders in planning and implementing teen pregnancy prevention programs. The Getting To Outcomes Guide for Teen Pregnancy Prevention offers tools and instructions to assess program needs, select goals and outcomes, and evaluate program effectiveness.
The VA healthcare system generally delivers safe and effective care similar to other health systems, with some exceptions. However, studies on timeliness, equity, efficiency, and patient-centeredness show mixed results.
A new study by RAND Corporation recommends that suicide prevention hotlines expand their digital services, such as chat services, to better reach users. The study also suggests integrating these hotlines into existing healthcare systems to improve caller connections and resources.
The United States can benefit from strengthening its leadership role in international economic structures and engaging with rising powers like China. The country's next administration faces crucial economic choices that will impact its power. Meanwhile, the US faces domestic weaknesses such as labor market challenges and government debt.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that adolescents using both marijuana and alcohol during middle school and high school are more likely to experience poor academic performance, mental health issues, and physical health problems. Nonwhite youth tend to face greater disparities in functioning compared to white youth.
A new study found that military members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression can experience significant improvements in symptoms after enrolling in a treatment program that includes specially trained care managers and telephone therapy options. The approach resulted in better outcomes and improved access to high-qu...
A five-week middle school obesity prevention program called Students for Nutrition and eXercise (SNaX) helped obese students lose weight over a long term, with an average reduction in body mass index (BMI) of about nine pounds. The program combined environmental changes and peer-led education to promote healthy eating and physical acti...
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that neighborhood parks in the US are underutilized by adults, seniors, and younger females, with those aged 65+ using walking loops as a primary source of physical activity. The study also highlights a gender gap in park use among children and teens, with females representing only 40% of observed y...
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that Southern California middle school students are exposed to an average of 3.1 alcohol advertisements every day. Racial disparities were also observed, with African Americans and Hispanics experiencing higher levels of exposure compared to white youths.
A new study found that virtual dermatology care can nearly double the number of patients receiving dermatological care from a specialist. Teledermatology expanded access to younger and healthier patients with targeted skin conditions like acne and warts, while serving half of all enrollees who received any dermatology care.
A new RAND report finds that the US is insufficiently countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The report recommends more comprehensive training and advising of indigenous forces and forging political agreements to resolve key drivers of conflict.
The study found that mathematics teachers reported using instructional materials aligned with Common Core State Standards, while English language arts teachers used leveled readers. The surveys suggest ways to improve teaching and learning by better understanding teacher perspectives on state standards.
A study found that despite data breaches, most people remain satisfied with companies' responses and few take their business elsewhere. However, ethnic minorities and those who experienced extreme inconvenience reported lower satisfaction rates and higher costs.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that California's investment in a social marketing campaign to reduce mental illness stigma may provide the state with significant economic benefits. For every dollar invested, the state can expect an estimated $36 in higher tax collections and up to $1,251 in economic benefits over several decades.
A new RAND Corporation report calls for trimming the US national security decision-making system to improve effectiveness and efficiency. The study recommends downsizing the National Security Council staff, improving intelligence integration, and assigning senior officials across agencies to ensure coherence in decision-making.
The report analyzes county-level data on wages and employment for workers with STEM training in the oil and gas industry and advanced manufacturing. Key findings include higher median wages in utilities and engineering occupations.
Nearly all states have taken a more-active role in immigration policy, but many lack comprehensive evaluation of costs and benefits. A new report from RAND Corporation suggests that state policymakers need better tools to assess the full impact of their policies.
A recent study published in Health Affairs found that retail clinic visits may not be as cost-effective as previously thought. The research suggests that the convenience of retail clinics can lead to increased spending on new medical care, outweighing any potential savings from reduced office or emergency department visits.
A RAND Corporation study found that the US military health system provides good care in following up with patients after discharge, but needs improvement in other realms. Most patients receive at least one psychotherapy visit, but may not receive sufficient evidence-based therapy.
A new study found that a 24/7 Sobriety Program in South Dakota reduced deaths by 4%, particularly among circulatory conditions associated with excessive alcohol use. The program requires frequent testing and swift sanctions for violations, leading to significant reductions in repeat DUI arrests and domestic violence incidents.
Demand for VA services is expected to increase until the end of the decade, driven by an aging veteran population and higher reliance on VA health services. The system faces challenges in providing care to veterans outside its facilities, with long waits and limited access to specialty care in rural areas.
Teachers had moderate to major concerns about test difficulty and low student performance prior to 2015 state testing, according to RAND Corporation studies. They also needed additional professional development in various subjects.
A RAND Corporation study found that medical marijuana users are more likely to vaporize or consume edible forms of the drug compared to recreational users. Additionally, medical users tend to report daily or near-daily use and consume more cannabis per day.
A new study by RAND Corporation researchers found that many European immigrants and their descendants in the US did not achieve significant educational gains compared to those who remained in their native countries. However, exceptions were seen in Italy and Poland, where descendants experienced substantial educational advantages.
Transforming primary care practices into 'medical homes' requires substantial investments, with median one-time costs ranging from $7,694 to $117,810 per practice. Ongoing costs include adding staff and investing in information technology, constituting a significant financial burden for small medical practices.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that campus programs have led to a significant increase in California college students seeking mental health treatment, with an estimated additional 329 students graduating for each year of investment. The study also predicts a net societal benefit of over $6 per dollar invested.
A new RAND Corporation study found that home health visits can lead to a 14% reduction in hospital admissions and a lower risk of nursing home admissions among Medicare beneficiaries. The program, called HouseCalls, involves comprehensive geriatric assessments and referrals to community providers.
A new RAND Corporation study highlights the urgent need to improve short-term and long-term approaches to education for Syrian refugee children. The report recommends increasing instructional time, teacher training, and expanding school monitoring to address the crisis. Meanwhile, host countries face significant challenges in integrati...
A new RAND Corporation study found that hiding tobacco products at convenience stores significantly reduces teenagers' susceptibility to future cigarette use. Researchers created a power wall with hundreds of tobacco products and had teens visit a replica store to shop while the product visibility was in one of three random locations.
A study by RAND Corporation found that opening a full-service grocery store in a food desert improves residents' diet and perceived access to healthy foods, yet the changes are not related to the store's use. Despite this, researchers observed positive improvements in multiple components of residents' diet.
A RAND Corporation study suggests that planned military drawdowns could harm service member diversity, particularly for women and minority groups. The study warns of potential adverse effects on recruitment and retention strategies.
A RAND Corporation study found that more than 80 percent of school principals expressed satisfaction with Teach For America teachers, particularly those with experience. Principals rated corps members' abilities to improve student performance and develop positive relationships with colleagues and administrators. However, alumni were mo...