Health and Health Care Faculty

Featured Faculty Research

How Are Americans Paying Their Bills During the Pandemic?

About one-third of U.S. households have experienced a decline in income as a result of COVID-19. Professors Katherine Carman and Shanthi Nataraj find that roughly 30 percent of these households—especially low-income, black, or Hispanic households—are having difficulties paying their bills.

Alum and Prof Evaluate 24/7 Sobriety Program at Individual Level

24/7 Sobriety combines frequent alcohol testing with swift, certain, and modest sanctions for those who test positive for alcohol or miss a test. Alum Greg Midgette and Prof. Beau Kilmer used an instrumental variables approach for this study and found 24/7 reduced the probability a participant was rearrested or had probation revoked at 12 months by 49%.

Spending Estimates Under Medicare for All

Under a Medicare for All plan similar to some proposals being discussed in Congress, alum Jodi Liu (cohort '12) and Prof. Christine Eibner calculate that total health expenditures would be an estimated 1.8 percent higher in 2019, relative to the status quo. While this is a small change in national spending, the federal government's health spending would increase substantially, rising by an estimated 221 percent.

Expanding Enrollment Without the Individual Mandate

Recent changes to the Affordable Care Act, including the elimination of the individual mandate penalty, may reduce enrollment in the individual market. But research by alum Jodi Liu (cohort '12) and Prof. Christine Eibner finds that, even with these changes, options exist for increasing health coverage.

How to Solve the Water Crisis in Gaza

Gaza has long had water and sanitation challenges, but today it's in a state of emergency. Research by alumni Shira Efron (cohort '11) and Jordan Fischbach ('04), student Rouslan Karimov ('15), and Prof. Melinda Moore finds that the crisis could be resolved through infrastructure investment, but political complications and other barriers remain.

Obesity May Be 'Socially Contagious'

Alum Ashlesha Datar (cohort '99) and Prof. Nancy Nicosia found that people who move to a high-obesity area are more likely to become overweight or obese. This may be due, in part, to “social contagion.” Living in a community where obesity is more common may make inactivity, poor diet, and being overweight or obese more socially acceptable.

Pittsburgh's Options to Address Lead in Its Water

Pittsburgh is struggling to improve its aging water system. Student Michele Abbott (cohort '14) and alum/professor Jordan Fischbach (cohort '04) review the history and recent developments related to the use of lead pipes and the policy options for lead remediation currently being weighed by local decisionmakers.

Just Right: Combatting Childhood Obesity Through Portion Size

Single-serving guidelines can help kids avoid eating too much when eating out. Student Cameron Wright (cohort '12) and professor Deborah Cohen created this infographic summarizing right-sized portions for kids.

Oregon's Options for Financing Health Care

Federal health care reform had just begun in 2013 when Oregon authorized a study to improve how the state pays for health care. A comparison of the projected impacts and feasibility of four options—developed by alum Jodi Liu (cohort '12), professors Chapin White and Christine Eibner, and several RAND colleagues—can help Oregon's stakeholders choose the option that best suits their needs.

Changes to Kids' Menus May Help Curb Childhood Obesity

Most kids' menu items at the top 200 U.S. restaurant chains exceed the calorie counts recommended by nutrition experts, according to research by student Cameron Wright (cohort '12) and professor Deborah Cohen. The restaurant industry can embrace calorie guidelines to promote children's health and reduce childhood obesity.

Which Countries Could Become Disease Hot Spots?

Identifying and focusing on vulnerable countries that could become hot spots for infectious disease could help in the fight against future outbreaks. Students Bill Gelfeld (cohort '14) and Yemi Okunogbe (cohort '13) teamed up with professors Melinda Moore and Chris Paul to do just that.

Many Homeless Youth Smokers are Motivated to Quit

Approximately 70 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth are current smokers, and their attempts/desire to quit is often considered to be a low priority. However, many are motivated to quit and are interested in smoking cessation products and services, according to research by Leslie Mullins (cohort '12) and Professor Joan Tucker.