Health

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

AIR seeks to improve people’s lives and communities by addressing all aspects 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

22 Apr 2021
Brief

Fraud and Abuse in Telehealth Is Not as Prevalent or as Significant as Some May Think

As the number of telehealth services increased during the COVID-19 public health emergency, so did concerns that such expansion may lead to an increase in fraud and abuse, particularly within the Medicare program. To ascertain whether this increase has been associated with the unnecessary or excessive use of healthcare, health policy researchers from IMPAQ, Index Analytics, and AIR reviewed the accuracy of claims that increased use of telehealth is likely to increase fraud and abuse.
Image of doctor and patient laughing together
21 Apr 2021
Q & A

How Systems and Communities Can Partner on Goals and Measurement to Advance Equity

AIR is working on two projects funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focused on how to use measurement to drive transformative, meaningful, and sustainable change. Senior Researchers Tandrea Hilliard-Boone, Ellen Schultz, and Karen Frazier discuss what they’ve learned through these projects about how systems can keep people healthy and how to use measurement as a tool to make those changes in equitable ways.
Image of kids running outside school, wearing masks
12 Apr 2021
Q & A

How Expanded Learning Programs and Schools Work Together to Support California Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AIR partnered with Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) and the Partnership for Children and Youth to create resources that help educators strengthen partnerships between expanded learning programs and schools; plan integrated whole child supports; and design in-person learning hubs. In this Q&A, AIR Researcher Femi Vance describes the interconnected nature of these concepts and programs and their connection to equity.
Image of young girl getting onto a school bus
8 Apr 2021
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 AIR expert Amanda Latimore
7 Apr 2021
Q & A

Meet the Expert: Amanda Latimore

Amanda Latimore, Ph.D., leads AIR’s Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions (AIR CARES). She also teaches social epidemiology as an adjunct assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Before joining AIR, Latimore held leadership roles with the Baltimore health department and behavioral health authority.
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