Delivering Better Care

Critical health services research funding is slowing to a halt, threatening vital innovations that improve care nationwide. New data shows the agency is unable to fulfill its mandate.

Navigating the unprecedented change and uncertainty in today’s health care landscape requires us to carefully design the best next steps for a path forward. At UPMC, we believe that a learning community approach will not only help health care stakeholders weather current challenges but also build a stronger and more sustainable stakeholder-driven research infrastructure.

As the intersection of health care and technology continues to expand, the role of health information technologies (HIT) is ever more critical. The Health Information Technology Interest Group spoke on a panel on the intersection between HIT and innovation and offer practical challenges of implementing cutting-edge solutions in real-world health care settings.

A new Stanford Social Innovation Review article describes lessons learned from the Community Research for Health Equity program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and managed by AcademyHealth, and highlights strategies for funders to embrace equitable research grantmaking approaches to better support community-led research initiatives.

This policy brief by Emma Mairson from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and AcademyHealth’s Project DREAM describes six state efforts to create a doula benefit in Medicaid.

In the second of two blog posts, Senior Scholar Dr. Tiffany Green explores a person-centered approach to abortion care through the lens of discrete choice experiments, a method that brings patients’ relative preferences to the forefront.

In the first of two blog posts, Senior Scholar Dr. Tiffany Green explores what a truly person-centered approach to understanding abortion care in health services research might look like.

As the aging population grows, the need for compassionate, effective long-term services and supports (LTSS) is more urgent than ever—prompting bold innovations that are reshaping how we approach aging and end-of-life care. Theme Leaders Chanee D. Fabius and Beverly Rogers highlight sessions in the Aging and End of Life theme to attend at the upcoming Annual Research Meeting this June.

2025 ARM Theme Leader Dolapo Fakeye previews sessions focused on Measuring Safety, Quality, and Value at the upcoming conference this June in Minneapolis.

The EvidenceNOW initiative serves as a key example for how AHRQ has effectively supported healthcare systems and improved preventive services. The continuation of this initiative is critical to reduce the chronic disease burden and improve health overall in the U.S.