Publications & Research > Popular Topics

Popular Topics

RWJF has created special sections for topics that have historically drawn the greatest interest from visitors to the RWJF Web site. Each one contains featured and highlighted publications chosen by RWJF staff and a brief overview of our work in the area.

Addiction Addiction or misuse of alcohol and other drugs leads to approximately 120,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Improving treatment and preventing substance use can reduce the toll of alcohol and substance use on individuals and society.	Disparities Certain racial and ethnic populations in the U.S. suffer from worse health and receive lower-quality health care than whites, regardless of geography, income and health insurance coverage. Developing standards of care and improving the overall quality of our health care system can help reduce these disparities and improve health care for all patients.
End Of Life & Palliative Care Despite advances in medical care, Americans still often suffer from unnecessary pain, discomfort and lack of caring at the end of life. Improved provider education and building public awareness has resulted in improved end-of-life care.	Health Insurance Coverage Nearly 45 million Americans, including 9 million children, do not have health insurance. Increasing enrollment in public programs, supporting state coverage reforms and informing policy-makers and the public will lead to new approaches to cover all Americans.
Long-Term Care Americans are living longer, yet more people can expect to have some sort of disability in their later years of life. Innovative approaches to long-term care, such as re-imagining nursing home care, may improve quality and provide more choices.	Medical Malpractice The medical tort system does not deter medical errors, compensates a small percentage of patients affected by negligent care, and is driving shortages in specialty care through rapidly rising insurance rates. New approaches, including an administrative system of health courts may address these issues and improve patient safety.
Nurses & Nursing Nursing's bond to patients and link to quality of care are pivotal, as nurses make up more that half of the health care workforce. To improve the quality of hospital care, we must also transform the quality of nursing care at the patient's bedside.	Obesity More than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in America are obese or at risk for obesity. To reverse this epidemic, we must identify the policy and environmental changes that lead to increased physical activity and better nutrition. We also must support the advocacy that will result in widespread adoption of those policies.
Physical Activity The environment in which you live can make it easier, or more challenging, to be physically active. Many Americans have become sedentary over the years because physical activity has been slowly engineered out of our lives. Physical changes to communities can create safe, healthy environments that encourage and promote active living.	Public Health America's public health system has been systematically neglected and is ill prepared to address a variety of health threats. A stronger modern public health system can more effectively prepare for natural and man-made disasters, promote health and protect all Americans.
Quality Americans receive only about half of the recommended care they should receive. Adopting quality improvement strategies, reducing racial and ethnic disparities in care, and changing how care is delivered at the local level can improve the care all Americans receive.	Tobacco Although tobacco use has decreased, it is the leading cause of death in the United States. Implementing a combination of policy changes including clean indoor air laws, higher per-pack taxes, and cessation efforts are proven to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.