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Category: policy

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Policy

Suicide Prevention through Means Restriction

Suicide is a significant public health crisis, claiming the lives of nearly 800,000 people worldwide every year. In many cases, the availability of means or methods plays a pivotal role in determining whether someone’s suicidal thoughts translate into action. By restricting access to these means—be it firearms, pesticides, or medications—public health strategies have proven effective […]

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Nutrition

Emergency SNAP Benefits Reduced Food Hardship for Many Families—But Not All

In 2020, as the world grappled with the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a quiet yet impactful change occurred in the United States: the federal government temporarily increased the amount of food purchasing assistance available to low-income households through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative, known as emergency allotments, aimed to help […]

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Health equity

The Hidden Health Crisis Behind Bars

Unlocking the Health Puzzle: A Look Inside Prisons Imagine a world within a world where over 11 million people live isolated from society, often in conditions that starkly contrast with the outside world. These aren’t just numbers; they are lives marked by hardship, vulnerability, and a profound need for help. Recent research has shone a […]

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Policy

Rural Patients Report Better Hospital Experiences

When you think about healthcare in rural America, what comes to mind? For many, the first thoughts might be about challenges: long distances to hospitals, fewer healthcare facilities, and a shortage of specialists. But what if I told you that rural patients often report better experiences in hospitals than their urban counterparts? That’s the intriguing […]

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Policy

A Mess of Mixed Methods

Evaluating programs and policies is like trying to catch a greased pig. It’s messy, unpredictable, and downright challenging. But, as it turns out, embracing this messiness can lead to some of the most enlightening insights. A recent study explored just that by delving into the murky waters of mixed methods research (MMR) to understand how […]

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Policy

An Overlooked Cost of Crime

When we think about crime, we often consider the immediate impact—hospital bills, police reports, and court proceedings. However, a groundbreaking study from NORC at the University of Chicago has revealed that the real costs go far beyond these immediate effects. This study, titled New Estimates of the Costs of Criminal Victimization, dives deep into the […]

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Policy

Rural Police Shootings in Focus

When you think of police shootings, your mind probably jumps to urban streets and big cities. But did you know that the risk of police shootings is just as high, if not higher, in rural areas? A recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health dives into this often overlooked issue, uncovering […]

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Policy

How Researchers and Lawmakers Can Collaborate for Better Decisions

Although sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, policymakers can face immense pressure to make decisions quickly. But how can they ensure the best available evidence informs these decisions? A recent study explores this very question, examining how structured collaboration between researchers and policymakers can lead to better use of scientific evidence in legislative processes. The […]

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Environment

The Dangers of Military Burn Pits

When we think of soldiers serving in conflict zones, the immediate dangers that come to mind are often bullets and bombs. However, a less visible but equally insidious threat lurks in the very air they breathe. Military burn pits, used extensively in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, have been identified as a significant health […]

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Policy

Creating Safer Spaces: A New Approach to Sexual Assault Prevention

Sexual violence is a pervasive issue, impacting millions of Americans each year. Shockingly, about one in three women and one in four men will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective prevention strategies, but traditional efforts have often fallen short. The latest research, however, is […]

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Policy

Do Health Impact Assessment Frameworks Work?

When policies and plans are made outside the healthcare sector, they often have unanticipated effects on public health. Enter Health Impact Assessment (HIA), a vital tool for predicting these impacts and guiding decision-makers to foster better health outcomes. But how well do current HIA frameworks actually support best practices? Let’s look at a recent systematic […]

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Policy

Veterans’ Lifeline: How Rideshare Transforms Access to Care

Imagine trying to navigate the complexities of life without reliable transportation. For many of us, it’s hard to picture, but for thousands of veterans experiencing homelessness, it’s a harsh reality. The inability to get from point A to point B isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a barrier that can mean the difference between life and death. […]

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