How do we know when research makes a difference?
Sometimes it helps more mothers access care after childbirth. Sometimes it makes insulin more affordable for millions of people living with diabetes. Sometimes it helps hospitals reduce patient harm. And sometimes it informs more people about their contraceptive care choices..
Earlier this year, AcademyHealth launched The Evidence Effect: Health Services Research in the Real World, a storytelling series designed to show how evidence moves beyond academic journals and into the decisions, policies, and programs that affect people's lives every day.
The series highlights clear, human-centered examples of health services research in action, focusing on real-world problems, the evidence used to address them, and the impact that followed. Through videos, social media features, and written stories, the Evidence Effect demonstrates how health services research informs decisions, improves care, and creates meaningful change for patients, providers, and communities.
Together, the four-story pilot collection answers a simple question: What changed because of the evidence? Spanning maternal health, insulin affordability, patient safety, and contraception access, these stories showcase the many ways research can improve lives when put into practice.
Read the stories and see the Evidence Effect in action here.
Featured stories:
- The Evidence Effect: Continuous Postpartum Medicaid Coverage is Critical for Maternal Health
- The Evidence Effect: How Research Helped Lower Insulin Costs
- The Evidence Effect: How AHRQ Helped Hospitals Reduce Harm and Improve Patient Safety
- The Evidence Effect: Expanding Contraception Access Where It's Needed Most