American Institutes for Research

All Americans want great schools, affordable, high-quality health care, safe neighborhoods, and good jobs. For nearly 80 years, AIR has been a trusted, objective partner to support federal, state, and local governments in meeting the needs of American citizens. From evaluating the quality of nursing homes to making air travel safer and more accessible to improving education so our students can compete globally, AIR has been committed to generating evidence that supports decision-making on programs and policies across the U.S. and during 15 U.S. presidential administrations. We look forward to continuing that work today and into the future. https://lnkd.in/g8usBSef

About 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer's, a devastating disease that can overwhelm individuals, families, and caregivers. A new AIR Health Research and Policy Center study provides a snapshot of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and older, comparing the use of care management services like chronic care management and behavioral health integration between individuals with and without Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). The study found that those with ADRD were about twice as likely to use these services, which may help prevent avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Discover more key findings and read the full brief: https://lnkd.in/gqw89z-Q

Chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 7 U.S. adults — about 35.5 million people. As many as 90% don't know they have chronic kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure, unexpectedly starting dialysis, or needing a kidney transplant. This crisis is costly; Medicare alone spends about $150 billion annually for beneficiaries with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. AIR partners with Medicare, nephrologists, and patients to develop data-driven solutions that improve kidney care while reducing wasteful spending. Learn how our approaches to expanding access to transplants, tracking unplanned dialysis, improving payment models, and exploring new frontiers in transplantation have led to more prevention, less waste, and better health outcomes for Americans. #NationalKidneyMonth https://lnkd.in/g8d45yjg

#ICYMI, here's what we've been up to this month: 💪 Helping states across the U.S. develop programs that keep workers on the job and thriving after illness or injury. 🏥 Exploring the relationship between Medicare Advantage enrollment and rural hospital closures. 📚 Evaluating the Impact Network's eSchool 360 program's effects on math and reading in Zambia. Plus...Q&A's with AIR leadership, new findings about the educator workforce, and more. Read on in the latest AIR News: https://icont.ac/5101E

Home visiting programs help support families and foster positive #ChildDevelopment. But what effects do virtual home visits have? Starting in 2020, AIR partnered with First 5 LA to evaluate maternal and child outcomes of virtual visits provided through their Welcome Baby program. So far, we've learned that: 📈 Program enrollment and completion rates increased substantially with virtual visits. ⭐ Families were overwhelmingly satisfied with the support provided. 💗 Compared to families who did not participate, Welcome Baby families were more likely to have an established health care provider, reported higher levels of parenting confidence, and observed positive behavioral development in their children. The Welcome Baby program shows promise as a support system for families at a critical point in children’s lives. Offered virtually, programs like Welcome Baby have the potential to increase access to these supports at a lower cost. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gGvFEzpg

Collaborate, live with integrity, always be learning, and take a few risks. AIR Human Services SVP Julie Kochanek discusses the power of trust, culture, and community in behavioral and social science research, shares significant findings from her 20+ year career, and offers advice to women starting out in the field. Read the Q&A: https://lnkd.in/gQpwVWmy

AIR education experts are headed to Dallas, TX this week for the 2025 @COABE National Conference. 📚 COABE is a national organization that supports professional development, research, and other opportunities to advance #AdultEd, hosting the world's largest annual conference specifically for professionals in the field. In line with this years' theme "Expanding Horizons," AIR researchers will present recent work on digital tools that support teaching and learning, identifying factors affecting progress towards high school credentials, and more. View the full list of sessions and see where to find us at #COABE2025:

More than 2 million Americans are forced to leave their jobs each year due to a serious injury or medical condition. For many, this marks the end of their careers. AIR provides ongoing technical assistance to five U.S. states developing programs that help people return to work safely after an injury or illness. These programs allow employees to retain their paychecks and health insurance, provide for their families, and remain active participants in their communities. Learn how we're keeping more workers on the job in Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Vermont: https://lnkd.in/geHHc-z2

“It is really important to cut through the noise and focus schools on what matters.” Qualitative school assessments help education leaders get perspective on attendance, academic rigor, and more. While the United States focuses mainly on test scores as the main measure of school accountability, numerous states are investing in quantitative assessments to improve school efficacy, and ultimately, academic performance. AIR currently works with state education agencies across the country to conduct these assessments, which includes developing rubrics and training and certifying reviewers. Institute Fellow Susan Bowles Therriault, Ed.D. shares more about the process in Education Next:

Youth sports are linked to a variety of positive outcomes for young people, from leadership skills to improved mental health and academic performance. While most coaches understand their impact, many want more training, resources, and support to help young people succeed on and off the field. Launched in 2021, the Susan Crown Exchange's #MillionCoachesChallenge aims to train one million coaches in essential youth development techniques by 2026. See what we have learned so far from leading the Challenge's implementation study: https://lnkd.in/geGzhKby