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; supporting access to health care with a focus on equity; and improving health systems, patient care, and public outreach and communications.

Our health work focuses on issues that impact the health and well-being of all populations. AIR’s work generates evidence to inform policymakers, leaders, and practitioners as they work to improve access and quality, and reduce inequalities.

Latest Work

Project

Qualitative Study of Non-Clinical Support Services: Addressing the Needs and Preferences of Abortion Patients (Planned Parenthood Federation of America)

To better understand and address the needs and preferences of abortion patients who face significant obstacles to accessing care, this research helped to systematically develop and refine our knowledge of existing and best practices related to coordination of care and practical and logistical supports for those seeking abortion services.
Project

Patient Prioritization of End-stage Renal Disease Symptoms

While extant literature has studied symptoms experienced by patients with end-stage renal disease receiving in-center hemodialysis, AIR has been supported by the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Health Initiative to address a knowledge gap regarding which symptoms patients prioritize for the development of new or improved therapies to support symptom relief. The work has yielded a “call-to-action” for the field of symptom treatment and management for in-center hemodialysis patients, outlining promising practices, challenges, and key opportunities in both research and practice.
Project

Patient-reported Outcomes: How Patients with Kidney Failure Feel and Function

Advances in the treatment of kidney disease through better diagnosis and incentives for preventive care; increased access to home dialysis and kidney transplants; and greater investment in the development of breakthrough technologies like wearable or implantable artificial kidneys were recently launched by a 2019 Executive Order. AIR recently supported these efforts by working with the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Health Initiative in executing a project funded by the Food and Drug Administration.
28 Apr 2021
Spotlight

Teaching in the Time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted education system across the country and around the world, changing what classrooms and learning look like on a day-to-day basis. Educators are navigating a constantly shifting landscape, with the health of students, teachers, and the community at large at stake. Explore our research, resources, and webinar recordings to better understand the challenges teachers are facing and find tools and resources educators can use as they move forward.
22 Apr 2021
Brief

Separating Myth from Reality: Telehealth Expansion and the Potential for Fraud

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.
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