PHMCResearch focusareas

Over the past 45 years, R&E Group has managed thousands of projects ranging from small client-focused evaluation contracts to large, multi-site research studies with national significance. Our work is strengthened and amplified by our strong community partnerships, which is why at any given time we are working with hundreds of external stakeholders, community organizations and subject matter experts to help us do our best work possible. Our team’s work is focused in four core areas: Public Health, Family Strengthening and Child Well-Being, Teaching and Learning, and Addictions. Across these areas, we engage in program evaluation, applied intervention and policy research, needs assessments, the development of evidence-based tools and products, and training and technical assistance.

The Division of Public Health

The Division of Public Health focuses on a broad range of health issues, including chronic illness, nutrition and food insecurity, injury prevention, tobacco cessation, asthma prevention, STD/HIV prevention, and reproductive health. We work closely with government, healthcare and non-profit partners to rigorously evaluate program outcomes and impacts and to conduct community health needs assessments. We are engaged in studying the impact of novel interventions designed to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. The Division of Public Health is also home to the Community Health Database and its Household Health Survey (HHS), the longest running regional health surveillance survey in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Data from the HHS are used widely by researchers, health planners, and policy experts to assess and monitor the health of the Southeastern PA region, and to prioritize and target resources.

The Center on Addiction Research

The Center on Addiction Research works to promote the improved delivery of evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) practices and policies. Areas of focus include improving treatment outcomes for persons with opioid use and other substance use disorders, developing practical and empirically-based solutions to address behavioral health problems, strengthening the integration of substance use disorder treatment in primary care and criminal justice settings, and research on policies and practices that improve the nation’s response to SUD.

The Division of Family Strengthening and Child Well-Being

The Division on Family Strengthening and Child Wellbeing leads research and evaluation to shift children’s developmental trajectories and promote children’s healthy social-emotional development and mental health. Our work occurs in multiple contexts, often in childhood and early childhood, and across the spectrum from public health efforts to prevention and intervention. Our research furthers the evidence base of supports for children, their caregivers, and child-focused systems. Our public health efforts examine policies and systems to change the odds for children and families in underserved populations.

Division of Teaching and Learning

The Division of Teaching and Learning provides actionable, client-focused research and evaluation, technical assistance, policy analysis, and capacity-building services to improve outcomes for learners of all ages. We measure the effects of student- or teacher-level educational interventions, and work with schools and districts, institutions of higher education, government agencies, foundations, non-profit organizations, and others invested in education.