Policy Minded

We discuss the importance of treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders among veterans; what to consider when making changes to psychedelic drug policy; why family caregivers should be part of the formal health care team; U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific; and 2020's record-breaking fire season. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss the risks and benefits of a potential Internet of Bodies revolution; what happens if the ACA is struck down and COVID-19 is considered to be a preexisting condition; a drop in the use of preventive care; how much Americans value their health during the pandemic; and science-based strategies for dealing with election anxiety. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss what might happen if there isn't global coordination when a COVID-19 vaccine is available; Americans' feelings about voting and election safety and integrity; why women are leaving the labor force in record numbers; measuring the safety of automated vehicles; and a better way to negotiate with North Korea. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss why "Truth Decay" is the existential threat of our time; how to spend opioid settlement funds to save the most lives; helping veterans overcome the invisible wounds of war; why China has so few friends; and who should pay for disaster losses. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss how Americans respond to Russian memes on Facebook; the possibility of domestic terrorism during election season; why college students need more mental health support; the downside of a "lean" electric grid; and the role of allies and partners in U.S. military operations. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss online tools used to divide Americans during election season; how much higher insulin prices are in the United States than in other countries; the history of America's unemployment system and Black workers; what parents can do to keep kids' learning on track amid the pandemic; and countering Russian tactics in the Black Sea region. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss how Russia uses social media to divide Americans; a sharp increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic; how the COVID-19 recession and recovery is leaving Black workers behind; how prepared schools were before the pandemic hit; TikTok's vulnerabilities; and a tabletop strategy game developed by RAND experts. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

In this bonus episode, we bring you a conversation with RAND researchers about election safety and security in 2020. They discuss how prepared states are to conduct elections during a pandemic, concerns about voting by mail, how vulnerable the election is to cyberattacks, the threat of disinformation, and more. Watch the full conversation on RAND's YouTube channnel. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss how much more private health plans pay hospitals compared to what Medicare pays; data suggesting that the global spread of COVID-19 began weeks before it was declared a pandemic; potential obstacles to COVID-19 vaccination; the digital learning divide; three firearm restrictions that could reduce gun deaths; and how mobile technology can help those experiencing homelessness. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

We discuss how climate change will continue to affect wildfire risk; the uneven distribution of U.S. economic growth over the last four decades; workplace screening for COVID-19 symptoms; America's jihadists; and how Chinese aggression could be advancing U.S. objectives. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.