Health

Improving the health of people in the U.S. and abroad

AIR seeks to improve people’s lives and communities by addressing all aspect of health and well-being—physical, social, emotional, and mental—from the earliest years through later in life. Our work covers a broad range of areas, including the treatment and prevention of diseases; strategies for addressing the opioid epidemic and other substance use disorders; reducing violence and human trafficking; and improving health systems, patient care, and public outreach and communications.

AIR research and evaluation experts study the implementation and effectiveness of health and well-being initiatives and programs to provide much-needed evidence to inform the field. Through our policy, practice, and systems change work, we help policymakers, leaders, and practitioners develop and implement local strategies and initiatives to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Latest Work

Image of young girl getting onto a school bus
10 Oct 2018
Spotlight

Mental Health Awareness

Raising awareness and increasing the understanding of mental health can change the way society views and responds to this complex issue. AIR promotes positive mental health through school and community-based approaches involving youth, families, school, health care providers, and other stakeholders.
Image of confused older man at computer
7 Sep 2018
Journal Article

The Relationship Between Adolescent Cognitive Ability and Dementia

As the U.S. deals with the growing number of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, a new study suggests that those at risk of developing dementia in later life could be identified in adolescence, giving them the opportunity to receive interventions to offset the risk.
Image of addiction counselor and patients
11 Jul 2018
Video

Using Data to Drive Community-Based Approaches to the Opioid Crisis

What role can data play in developing community-based approaches to opioid misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery? How can data help health, law enforcement, and criminal justice professionals—and community members—better understand the opioid crisis in their localities and develop targeted interventions? AIR held a Capitol Hill briefing to address these questions on June 18, 2018.
Image of doctor's and patient's hands
18 Jun 2018
Journal Article

A New Framework for Patient Engagement in Cancer Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Studies

This commentary, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, describes the authors' experience designing and pilot testing a new framework for patient engagement at SWOG, one of the largest cancer clinical trial network groups in the United States and one of the four adult groups in the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network.
Image of DNA double helix
7 May 2018
Journal Article

Genetic Test Availability and Spending: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?

Genetic testing and spending on that testing have grown rapidly since the mapping of the human genome in 2003. However, it is not widely known how many tests there are, how they are used, and how they are paid for. We examined test availability and spending for the full spectrum of genetic tests, using unique data sources on test availability and commercial payer spending for privately insured populations, focusing particularly on tests measuring multiple genes in the period 2014–17.
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