University Times

The Health Policy Institute has launched the Stern Center for Evidence-Based Policy and released its first report, “Addressing the Health Needs of an Aging America.”

To improve the quality and sustainability of the health system, the new center will fund collaborative research with other foundations interested in increasing the use of research evidence in shaping U.S. health policy. The center is funded in part through a $3 million gift from the Stern Family Foundation.

The Stern Center for Evidence-Based Policy brings together researchers from across the Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences and partner institutions to lead scientific research initiatives that generate actionable health policy recommendations backed by evidence.

Institute director Everette James, the M. Allen Pond Professor of Health Policy and Management in Public Health, said: “The complexity and sheer volume of health research makes it extremely difficult for policymakers to give research findings full consideration. We will use proven methodology to help health policymakers and stakeholder organizations make sense of the available research and model the economic and health outcomes of proposed policies.”

The initial report systematically maps research findings to policy proposals intended to improve the health of the elderly. The study identified promising evidence-based policies, like those supporting prevention and care coordination, as well as areas where the research evidence is strong but policy activity is low, such as patient self-management and palliative care.

Future work of the center will focus on these topics as well as long-term-care financing, the health care workforce and the role of family caregivers.

Report co-author Sally C. Morton, chair of biostatistics, said: “Our work will allow policymakers at all levels of government to connect a broad base of research evidence with stakeholder demand.”