A new RAND Corporation study found that US adults are not being vaccinated against the seasonal flu more often than last year. Despite increased public discussion about the importance of influenza vaccines, only 32% of all U.S. adults and 37% of those recommended to receive a flu vaccination had been inoculated by mid-November.
Children from military families experience more emotional and behavioral difficulties than their peers, particularly when a parent is deployed overseas. Longer parental deployments are linked to greater emotional challenges for both children and non-deployed parents.
A new study found that hospital price transparency laws in California are ineffective, with only 28% of hospitals responding as required by state law. The research team received inaccurate or incomplete price quotes from most hospitals, which often exceeded the allowed prices under California law.
A study by RAND Corporation suggests that slowing US healthcare spending will require new approaches, including changing payment methods for doctors and hospitals. The most promising option is bundling payments for medical care, which would encourage providers to eliminate unnecessary care and improve quality.
A RAND Corporation study reveals inadequate access to health care among D.C. children, particularly those with publicly insured plans. The study emphasizes the need for partnerships between private and public sectors to address health promotion efforts.
The US must prioritize defending its critical computer networks from cyber attacks due to the difficulty of preventing such attacks and the unclear motivations of attackers. The RAND study highlights the need for diplomatic, economic, and prosecutorial efforts against cyber attackers rather than investing in strategic cyber warfare.
A new study by RAND Corporation finds that restricting fast-food chain restaurants in South Los Angeles may not address the main reasons for high obesity rates. The region's dense small food stores and high-calorie snack availability contribute more to residents' diets than fast-food establishments.
A study by RAND Corporation researchers found that multifunctional electronic health records improve the quality of care in community-based primary care practices. Practices using these records showed better care for diabetes and provided certain health screenings compared to those without.
A RAND Corporation study identifies key issues in designing episode-based payment approaches, including defining episodes of care and identifying accountable providers. The research highlights the need for more rapid testing of these strategies to address challenges such as multiple chronic conditions and varying provider settings.
Wealthier countries use less energy in buildings due to rating systems, but design challenges remain. Implementing similar programs can create 'green' jobs in the US, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
A new study estimates that reducing Americans' average intake of sodium to recommended levels could save the nation $18 billion annually in avoided health care costs. Meeting national sodium guidelines could also eliminate 11 million cases of high blood pressure nationally and extend thousands of lives each year.
A RAND Corporation study found that retail medical clinics offer high-quality care at a lower cost than traditional settings, with costs 30-40% lower for acute illnesses. The study also showed that retail clinics provide care similar in quality to physician offices, urgent care centers, and hospital emergency departments.
A new study by RAND Corporation finds that Medicare Part D has exceeded initial expectations, with most seniors now having access to affordable prescription drug coverage. The program has been particularly successful in lowering costs for the poor and disabled.
A RAND Corporation study finds that industries with a larger percentage of workers receiving employer-sponsored health insurance experience lower employment growth and lower output compared to those without such benefits. This trend is driven by the need for employers to increase compensation due to rising health insurance premiums.
A RAND Corporation study finds that state and local health departments performed well in posting information about the H1N1 virus outbreak, but struggled to communicate with diverse populations. Performance varied widely among local health departments across states, with some doing better than others in providing timely and accessible ...
A RAND Corporation study found that congestion pricing can benefit low-income drivers if revenues are used to support transportation projects in their communities. Policymakers should consider the distribution of residents and job opportunities when implementing congestion pricing to minimize regressive effects.
A new study by RAND Corporation and UCLA suggests that limiting the work hours of medical residents could reduce medical errors but would create a substantial new expense for academic medical centers. The estimated annual cost to hire substitute workers could reach $1.6 billion.
A new RAND Corporation study found that school-based drug education programs can have a long-term positive impact on sexual behavior in addition to curbing substance abuse. Young adults who received the training were less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior five to seven years later.
A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that higher out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications deter patients with chronic illnesses from initiating recommended treatments. The delay in treatment is particularly pronounced among those who have not previously used medication, highlighting a potential barrier to care.
A federal program has improved metropolitan public health agencies' ability to rapidly dispense life-saving medications in the event of a large-scale bioterror attack or naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak. The Cities Readiness Initiative has helped increase staff training, strengthened partnerships with first-responder age...
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that most adolescents referred to long-term group homes in Los Angeles County continue to struggle with substance abuse and crime seven years after being sent to the program. The study found that 36% had used hard drugs in the past year, while 66% reported engaging in illegal activities.
A RAND Corporation study found that pay-for-performance programs have led to changes in medical practice, including the adoption of electronic medical records and tracking of physician performance. However, health plans and purchasers believe that more substantial quality gains require higher incentives.
The economic cost of methamphetamine use in the US reached $23.4 billion in 2005, including addiction, premature death, and treatment expenses. The study found that nearly two-thirds of costs came from burden of addiction and crime, with lost productivity and drug treatment also significant contributors.
A RAND Corporation study recommends that the US and its allies in East Africa address radical Islamist groups beyond al Qaeda to create long-term stability. The report highlights existing counterterrorism programs as a starting point for stronger regional collaboration.
Obese women who undergo weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant have a lower risk of pregnancy-related health problems. Their children are also less likely to be born with complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, or excessive birth weight.
A recent RAND Corporation study suggests that the US is still a vital security and economic partner in East Asia, with nations seeking to maintain ties with both the US and China. The study found that none of America's East Asian allies want to choose between the two, as they prioritize cooperation over competition.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that adolescents exposed to high levels of sexual content on TV are twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy over three years. The study suggests that TV programming typically does not highlight the risks and responsibilities of sex, contributing to higher teen pregnancy rates.
A RAND Corporation study found that a unique patient identification number system could eliminate record errors, simplify electronic medical records and increase overall efficiency. The proposed system would help address concerns around patient privacy by reducing the exposure of personal information during searches.
The book, 'In Their Own Words: Voices of Jihad,' provides an unusual window into the thinking of Islamic terrorists. It includes translations of writings and speeches from notable jihadis like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The RAND Corporation study concludes that oil sands and coal-to-liquids have the potential to ease upward pressures on oil prices and expand global fuel supplies. However, these alternatives also pose significant environmental risks, including water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The RAND Corporation report suggests delegating spending authority to the field level and requiring cross-agency experience for civilians and military officers. The report also emphasizes building success through career-wide training, enhancing foreign culture knowledge, and promoting long-term relationships with local counterparts.
A RAND Corporation study found that U.S. Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages by better managing environmental issues during deployments, which can influence local support for the mission and overall success. The study recommends giving more weight to environmental considerations in planning and operations.
A study by RAND Corporation found that retail medical clinics primarily serve patients without a regular healthcare provider, with most visits for acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and sinusitis. The clinics' convenience may outweigh continuity provided by personal physicians, highlighting concerns about quality of care.
A new study by RAND Corporation researchers found that only 18% of parents with chronically ill children were aware of the program and only 5% used its benefits. Most parents who took leave or didn't take leave despite knowing their child's illness required it didn't know about the program.
The RAND Corporation study finds that biomass resources and wind power have the greatest potential to contribute towards reaching the 25 x '25 goal, with significant investments needed in renewable energy technology. Meeting this goal would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower long-term oil prices.
A RAND Corporation study explores six urban regions' collaborations to increase access to arts learning for children. The initiatives demonstrate the potential of pooling resources and coordinating activities to make arts education a priority.
A RAND Corporation study reveals that California's preschools fail to provide high-quality learning experiences for disadvantaged children. Despite meeting class size and child-staff ratio benchmarks, only a quarter of participating children experience instruction promoting thinking and language skills.
The US remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide, with 40% of global R&D spending, but faces challenges from increasing competition, particularly from China. The study recommends establishing a permanent monitoring body and improving K-12 education to maintain the nation's lead.
A study by RAND Corporation found that adolescents who made virginity pledges were less likely to engage in sexual activity than similar youth who did not make a pledge. The study suggests that virginity pledges may be appropriate as one component of an overall sex education effort.
A RAND study reveals a significant increase in piracy and maritime terrorism, with piracy growing faster and more common than seaborne terrorism. The report calls for U.S. policymakers to expand maritime security measures and encourage industry use of enabling communication technologies.
A growing body of economic research suggests that public investment in early childhood programs may be able to lower public costs for social services by improving children's long-term welfare. However, the report highlights a spectrum of promising services and provides guidance on how to choose an optimal level of each program.
A new RAND Corporation study finds nearly 20% of returning military service members report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, with only half receiving minimally adequate treatment. The study estimates PTSD and depression among returning service members will cost the nation up to $6.2 billion in the two years following deployment.
A study by the RAND Corporation found that small businesses saw a significant increase in health insurance costs, with those having 25 or fewer employees facing a 30% rise. Despite this, small employers were less likely to abandon the benefit, and instead may have traded off wage increases for the increased cost.
A new study reveals that health professionals and the public lack preparation to integrate genetic testing into practice. The study suggests that education and training are needed to address this gap, with potential solutions including increasing the size of the genetics specialty workforce.
The study reveals that women's participation in nation-building leads to greater economic development, social advancements, and reduced violence. Incorporating women into the nation-building process early on can help create more democratic and stable societies.
A RAND Corporation study found that deportable immigrants released from the Los Angeles County jail system had a similar recidivism rate as non-deportable immigrants, with 43% being rearrested within a year compared to 35%. The study controlled for factors such as age and criminal history.
A RAND study reveals California's basic tracking system architecture allows for close student progress follow-up but faces political and financial barriers. Implementing a comprehensive student unit record data system could improve policies and enhance student outcomes.
Companies recognized for diversity may prioritize surface-level recruiting over comprehensive programs, while those in top human resources departments focus on work environment improvements. Researchers found that diversity initiatives are more effective when driven by business goals, such as boosting productivity and profitability.
Researchers propose a new pricing plan where consumers pay an annual fee for medication access, potentially increasing patient compliance and reducing long-term health problems. The system could reduce periods of medication skipping due to cost, benefiting patients with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or asthma.
A RAND Corporation report finds that the financial services industry has become increasingly complex, with broker-dealers and investment advisers becoming more inter-related and difficult to distinguish for individual investors. The study suggests that this complexity is due in part to the blurring of boundaries between these two types...