Research and Evaluation

For more than thirty years, HHD has conducted social science research to guide all facets of our work. Our core methods include:

• Exploratory and developmental research that provides new knowledge and insight into pressing health and education problems
• Large-scale epidemiologic surveys of youth and adults that identify health trends and inform local and national programs and policies
• Randomized field trials in clinics, community agencies, and schools that assess the efficacy and effectiveness of promising strategies
• Evaluation of programs and policies that indicates their impact on individuals, families, and communities

The research we conduct provides us with a deep understanding of the relationship between health and socioeconomic factors that make people vulnerable to illness and injury, and contribute to health disparities. We use this knowledge to develop theoretically sound and empirically informed interventions, programs, and services that improve health, quality of life, and access to prevention and intervention services. As our programs and strategies are applied and evaluated, we learn more about what works and under which conditions to customize and improve our interventions.

Our research and evaluation capabilities are broad. They range from randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies to case study documentation and extensive syntheses of existing research. Our methods include surveys, focus groups, behavioral interviews, asset mapping, ethnographic studies, rapid assessment, and policy and cost analysis.