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

4 Dec 2020
Commentary

Building Community Trust Essential to COVID Vaccine Acceptance

This commentary appeared in the Baltimore Sun on December 4, 2020.

Image of Erica Shelton
1 Dec 2020
Video

Bridging Health Care Research and Practice

Evidence-based health care information helps both the public and organizations make sound decisions. In this video, Erica Shelton shares how her experience as an emergency medicine physician plays a role in providing technical assistance at AIR, where she is a principal health clinician researcher.
Illustration of woman with cell phone
15 Oct 2020
Spotlight

AIR’s COVID-19 Response and Resources

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. This virus, also known as COVID-19, has dramatically changed the lives of people around the globe, touching all aspects of life, from health care to education to the economy. In this new world of rapidly changing information about the virus, AIR seeks to be a source of evidence-based information that examines and begins to understand the various complexities of this crisis.
Image of David Hayes-Bautista
14 Oct 2020
Q & A

An Emerging Narrative on Latino Health Disparities and its Implications in the COVID-19 Era

Longstanding systemic health and social inequities have put Americans categorized as racial and ethnic minorities at greater risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. At the same time, Latinos have a history of good health outcomes. AIR Institute Fellow David E. Hayes-Bautista has researched Latino health outcomes for more than three decades, and has reframed the narrative about diversity, race and ethnicity, and health. In this Q & A, he explains his findings and the implications for health care policy and practice.
Image of young girl getting onto a school bus
9 Oct 2020
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.
View all