Americans are more likely to die of an opioid overdose than of a car accident. But even as national attention has shed light on this crisis, opioid addiction remains a difficult problem to solve. Professor Peggy Compton lays out how doctors can help patients suffering from chronic pain without turning to opioids, what treatments actually work for people who do develop an opioid addiction, and how to encourage wider use of these evidence-based practices.

For more on this topic:

• Check out Compton’s SSN brief, How to Win America’s Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic
• Read her research paper, Providing Chronic Pain Management in the “Fifth Vital Sign” Era

America’s democracy is in uncharted waters. From attacks on the media to challenges against free and fair elections and the longest government shutdown in US history, the future of American democracy looks increasingly unclear. Recorded at the SSN National Leadership Convening, Washington Post Columnist EJ Dionne talks through the media’s responsibility in these tense times and one big policy idea to help right the ship.

For More on this Topic:

• Read Dionne’s Washington Post piece mentioned in the episode and his regular column.
• Check out his Brookings report on the case for universal voting
• Find his most recent book, One Nation After Trump

The consequences of climate change are looking increasingly dangerous and imminent, yet little has been done to address this crisis. Professor Garth Heutel lays out a potentially cost-effective way to reduce global temperatures and stave off global warming. But solar geoengineering is not a silver bullet. While the benefits are clear, the costs are much more uncertain.

For More on this Topic:

• Read summaries of his research in his two-page SSN brief and an article in The Conversation.
• See his full article in the Annual Review of Resource Economics.

Real estate agents help us navigate the housing market, get the best prices, and find the perfect house to call a home. But they also help decide who gets to live where, and not everyone gets the same options. Professor Elizabeth Korver-Glenn shares her research on the hidden ways real estate agents keep neighborhoods segregated, and what can be done to change their ways.

For more on this topics:

• Read Korver Glenn’s brief, How America’s Real Estate Brokers Still Use Practices That Reinforce Racial Segregation
• Check out her conversation with the CEO of the real estate company Redfin

In the last few years, the United States has seen one horrific mass shooting after another. But despite public outcry and support for gun control legislation, little has changed. In this second episode with Professor Robert Spitzer, he lays out what policies have been implemented federally and in the states and what policies could actually work to reduce gun violence.

For more on this Topic:

• Read Spitzer’s SSN brief, The Evidence Shows that “Stand Your Ground” Laws Undermine Law Enforcement and Public Safety
• Check out his OpEds in the New York Times, The Gun Safety Issue is Actually Helping Democrats and America Used to be Good at Gun Control. What Happened?
• Find his books, The Politics of Gun Control and Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights

In 2018, the debate about gun rights and gun control was front and center after a tragic school shooting in Florida. But this debate has been raging for a long time in the U.S. In this first part of our interview with Professor Robert Spitzer, he lays out the history of the gun rights and gun control movements and what might change in the coming years.

For more on this Topic:

• Read Spitzer’s SSN brief, The Evidence Shows that “Stand Your Ground” Laws Undermine Law Enforcement and Public Safety
• Check out his OpEds in the New York Times, The Gun Safety Issue is Actually Helping Democrats and America Used to be Good at Gun Control. What Happened?
• Find his books, The Politics of Gun Control and Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights

Chinese restaurants have become a staple in America, and they’re especially popular during the holidays. In this archive episode, Professor Heather Lee tells the story of how a loophole in the Chinese Exclusion Act led to the Chinese restaurant boom in America. Drawing parallels to today, she explains the unintended impacts of the law on the U.S. and China.

For More on this Topic:

• Read articles in The Atlantic and NPR citing Professor Lee on Chinese restaurants in the United States.
• Check out her 2-page brief, The Untold Story of Chinese Restaurants in America

Babies need diapers. But for 1 in 3 mothers, diapers are just too expensive to always have on hand. And that can leave children and families in a precarious situation. Professor Jennifer Randles lays out the diaper dilemma, how it affects America’s families, and what policies can be put in place to help solve the problem.

For More on this Topic:

• Read her memo, Policy Proposal: Reduce Diaper Need Among Families in Poverty
• Check out her article with Barbara Risman in Psychology Today, Diapers, Depression, and Gender Matter for Social Policy
• Want to donate to the National Diaper Bank Network? More information here

Access to good housing is key to better health, both now and in the future. So what happens when the youngest and oldest members of our society don’t get the housing support they need? First, Professor Andrew Fenelon breaks down how affordable housing can change the lives of children. Next, Professor Jennifer Ailshire outlines the problems unique to the homeless elderly and what needs to change to help this growing population.

For More on this Topic:

• Read the Kaiser Health News’ article on Fenelon’s research
• Check out the website for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless CountListen to Episode 142: Nowhere to Live on the challenges of housing assistance programs

Americans of color consistently have worse health outcomes than their white peers. So what’s behind this trend? First, Professor Margaret Hicken lays out how black Americans must often prepare themselves in the face of racism and what effects this has on their bodies. Next, Professor Abigail Sewell lays out how police use of force can impact not only the health of individuals, but of entire communities.

For More on this Topic:

• Read The Michigan Daily’s article on Hicken’s research
• Check out Hicken’s 2-page brief, Measuring the Social Impact of Mass Imprisonment on America's Black and White Families and Communities
• Find Sewell’s website and blog
• Visit the website for Cornell’s Center for the Study of Inequality, which organized the Deep Wounds conference.