Studying the "Health in All Policies" Impact on Population Health of Changes in a Range of State Economic Laws over the Last 20 Years
Despite growing attention to the health effects of "non-health" policy and calls for policy-makers to adopt a Health in All Policy (HiAP) approach, little attention has been paid to a key set of economic policies — the various taxes, redistributive spending, and market regulating laws — that shape the distribution of economic resources among Americans.
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Laws on Distracted and Inattentive Driving to Reduce Traffic Injuries
Driver inattention is a significant contributor to traffic-related injury. A 2006 naturalistic driving study estimated that 78 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involved some form of driver inattention.
Analyzing the Impact on Cigar Smoking by Youths of an Innovative Packaging Regulation in Boston
This study will analyze the impact of the regulation on youth cigar use, and will answer: Has the regulation resulted in a reduction in cigar use prevalence among 9-12 graders in Boston after its enactment in 2012? Was the reduction in cigar use prevalence among 9-12 graders in Boston greater than those of municipalities that have not enacted the regulation? To what extent has the sales price of cigars increased in retail stores since the enactment in 2012?
Mapping State and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Laws and Regulations to Increase Knowledge and Improving Worker-Protective Standards
The study will collect data on state and federal regulations concerned with protecting workers from specific chemical, physical, biological, mechanical, or psychosocial hazards and will be compiled from publicly available federal and state regulatory sources.
Studying the Effectiveness of Legal Measures to Control Tuberculosis in Homeless Shelters
The prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB) in the homeless population is an important public health goal, hampered by the reluctance of some homeless people to undergo medical screening, as well as the lack of evidence to support the best interventions for encouraging and increasing screening among those seeking shelter. This project will identify which of three legal mechanisms will result in the greatest reduction of undetected active TB cases among homeless people using emergency shelters.
Mapping Variations in Local Marijuana Laws in Washington State to Study the Impact on Health Outcomes and Disparities
Washington State is among the first to legalize recreational marijuana. Local ordinances already exist to regulate medical marijuana, but a strong state medical regulatory framework does not exist. It is unclear how variations in local laws will impact marijuana access, use, initiation, and related outcomes such as injury and crime, particularly among youth.