What do Americans know about SARS, West Nile virus, avian flu, bioterrorism, and mad cow disease? How will employers react if a pandemic develops in the U.S.? What major hurdles do the disabled face in this country? The uninsured? The elderly? Who has health insurance, and to what extent do they use it? How do Americans feel healthcare can be improved in the near future?

These are just a few important questions researched by SSRS for a wide range of partners. SSRS conducts research for non-profit organizations who seek to understand and, if possible, improve access to healthcare for all Americans. We have conducted studies of specific health-relevant populations, including the disabled, the uninsured, parents with uninsured children, and persons enrolled in Medicare Part D, among others. Along with our research partners, we have evaluated state health care programs and conducted studies regarding health issues of specific populations, such as Hispanics. On a regular basis, SSRS conducts health crisis studies when critical health issues emerge, such as has been the case in the past decade with anthrax, mad cow disease, West Nile virus, SARS, and avian flu.

SSRS principal members, Melissa Herrmann and David Dutwin have numerous publications based on healthcare research, including more than a half-dozen articles in Health Affairs and the New England Journal of Medicine.