CHRT conducts systematic and policy analyses to evaluate the potential impact of proposed policies, recommend evidence-based policies designed to improve the health of people and communities, and respond to the needs and interests of a broad range of stakeholders. 

Our systematic analytic approach

CHRT’s systematic and policy analyses summarize research and identify gaps where new knowledge or policy is needed. Study approaches include:

• Systematic review of academic and gray literature to synthesize research findings and assess the strength of existing evidence;
• Assessment and evaluation of an organization’s current or proposed programs to determine whether they are feasible, reach target populations, and achieve intended goals;
• Environmental scans to define the current state of services for focused population groups and identify top areas of critical need; and
• Impartial analysis of program or policy-relevant data to understand changing trends, program effects, and return on investment.

Our experience

CHRT works in partnership with organizations to align programming with evidence, communicate successes, and suggest program revisions as needed. Our experience in policy analysis within the health care industry has included work in provider, payer, non-profit, and government sectors. We also work on broad health issues in collaboration with social service agencies and systems. 

CHRT presents organizations with a final report detailing key insights and recommendations. In addition, organizations can utilize CHRT’s expertise in distilling detailed findings into clear, concise issue briefs for target audiences. In 2020, CHRT produced more than a dozen such issue briefs.

Below are brief descriptions of recently completed projects:

• Recruiting and retaining behavioral health workers in rural America: A report and action guide – In the U.S., there are not enough behavioral health workers to meet the demand for mental health and substance use services, particularly in rural areas. CHRT worked closely with the University of Michigan’s Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center (BHWRC) to explore the approaches states have taken to address these shortages.
• Designing integrated behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees, background and case studies – For decades, physical and behavioral health care–including both mental health and substance use disorder treatment–have operated in silos. Too often, this fragmented care system has meant that individuals with behavioral health needs either do not receive the care that they need or receive a patchwork of care from a multitude of uncoordinated publicly and privately funded providers in systems that are difficult to navigate. 
• What local health departments need to know about CARES Act funding and policy opportunities for COVID-19 response – Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, CHRT staff members conducted rapid response research for Michigan policy leaders who were working proactively to protect vulnerable communities across the state. In this analysis for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we explore funding and policy opportunities in the 2020 CARES Act.

Please contact Nancy Baum at (734) 998-7586 or nmbaum@umich.edu for more information on our policy and systematic analysis capabilities.