Health

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



Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, M.D., Director, Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions, on the Rewards of Treating Patients with Addiction

Read our Q&A with Dr. Salisbury Afshar >>

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

student and teacher working on math problem
4 Nov 2019
In the Field

Supporting Students in Secure Care Through Title I, Part D

Educating students who have been neglected, delinquent, or are otherwise at-risk requires specialized training and careful collaboration across the agencies responsible for serving for these students. For this reason, each state receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education through the Title I, Part D Neglected or Delinquent Programs. Determining the best use of these funds is a top priority for all Title I, Part D coordinators.
16 Oct 2019
Journal Article

High School Personality and Dementia

Personality phenotype has been associated with subsequent dementia in studies of older adults. This study used Project Talent data to examine whether personality during adolescence—a time when pre-clinical dementia pathology is unlikely to be present—confers risk for dementia in later life.
Image of doctor consulting with patient
11 Sep 2019
Brief

What I Want My Doctor to Know About How Arthritis and Chronic Pain Affect My Everyday Life

The rapid growth in opioid overdoses has put a spotlight on prescribing patterns, with increased pressure on clinicians to reduce opioid prescribing, especially for long-term management of chronic, noncancer pain. This brief is the result of interviews conducted with people with a disability due to arthritis, who are on long-term opioids or have stopped taking opioids after developing an opioid use disorder.
Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar
1 Aug 2019
Q & A

Meet the Expert: Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar

As an expert on substance use disorders, Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, M.D., directs the Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions at AIR (AIR CARES). She is board certified in family medicine, preventive medicine/public heath, and addiction medicine and holds a Master of Public Health degree in health disparities and human rights.
Image of older couple looking at papers with a health professional
19 Jul 2019
In the Field

The Quest to Connect Patient and Family Engagement to Health Care Quality and Safety

AIR has been a leader in the evolution of patient and family engagement as a key quality improvement strategy. In this Q&A, Thomas Workman, principal researcher at AIR, shares his insights about the current state of health care safety and patient and family engagement—and where we’re headed.
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