Welcome to Health Policy

Fostering a deep belief that research and innovative thinking should guide health policy relationships and help policymakers understand implications. 

The Department offers the M.P.H. degree, including tracks in Health Policy, Global Health and Epidemiology, and a Ph.D. program, which offers full funding to students, and the opportunity to collaborate and work across disciplines at Vanderbilt.

Health Policy News

Featured Resources

COVID-19 hospitalizations across Tennessee as of Aug. 9, 2020

A 9-tile chart showing hospitalizations for COVID-19 across all of Tennessee and 8 hospital regions of the state, showing a steep increase since July 1, when the delta variant became the dominant strain in the state.

COVID-19 vs. flu impact: A comparison of two different respiratory diseases. (as of Nov. 2020)

A chart comparing the impact on hospitalizations and mortality between flu and COVID-19. Hospitalizations and death from COVID in Tennessee have surpassed those of the flu for the last 2 years combined.

Mask requirements and hospitalizations across Tennessee. (Oct. 10)

A chart showing hospitalization increase over time where masks are required

Mask requirements and hospitalizations across Tennessee. (Aug. 7)

A chart that shows areas of Tennessee without masking requirements have seen a 200% increase in COVID19 hospitalizations in July 2020 compared to 30-40% in areas with masking requirements.

 

COVID-19 in Tennessee: Hospitalizations and newly reported cases by metro area, as of Aug. 3.

COVID19 hospitalizations and newly reported cases are mostly originating outside of the state's 2 largest metro areas, a trend that has developed during July 2020.

 

 

Health status before and after Medicaid expansion in the Southeast

Research now links Medicaid expansion with health benefits, suggesting expansion can reduce declines in health and increase baseline health status.