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Student-Authored Publications on Justice and Equity

COVID-19 in the California Workers' Compensation System: A Study of COVID-19 Claims and Presumptions Under Senate Bill 1159 December 29, 2021

Denise D. Quigley, Michael Dworsky, Nabeel Qureshi, Shannon Prier, Courtney A. Gidengil
The authors use a mixed-methods (including both qualitative and quantitative methods) approach to evaluate the overall effects of COVID-19 claims on the California workers' compensation system and on the payment of workers' compensation benefits. They also analyze the effects of the different presumptions for COVID-19 established by Senate Bill 1159 and describe patterns of COVID-19 claim filing and claim outcomes by industry and occupation.
Cannabis Legalization and Social Equity: Some Opportunities, Puzzles, and Trade-Offs July 16, 2021

Beau Kilmer, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Michelle Kilborn, Michelle Priest, Kristin Warren
Legalization for nonmedical purposes may create new sources of disproportionate harm even as it alleviates some inequities associated with cannabis prohibition.
Climate Control: International Legal Mechanisms for Managing the Geopolitical Risks of Geoengineering May 25, 2021

Michelle Grisé, Emmi Yonekura, Jonathan S. Blake, David DeSmet, Anusree Garg, Benjamin Lee Preston
The prospect of using geoengineering to address the accelerating effects of climate change is becoming more likely, and many of the potential technologies have negative externalities on the global to regional scale. In this Perspective, the authors review the state of different geoengineering technologies, the geopolitical risks associated with geoengineering implementation, and international governance options.
Knowledge of Alternative Tobacco Products in Unaccompanied Homeless Youth April 30, 2021

William G. Shadel, Joan S. Tucker, Michele Abbott
This study examined perceptions of factors that influence use and non-use of Alternative Tobacco Products (ATPs) among unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness.
Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Text Messaging-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation Among Young People Experiencing Homelessness April 28, 2021

Joan S. Tucker, Sebastian Linnemayr, Eric R. Pedersen, William G. Shadel, Rushil Zutshi, Maria DeYoreo, Irineo Cabreros
This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of using a text messaging-based intervention (TMI) for behavior change with 18–25 year olds experiencing homelessness, and the first to test a TMI to provide ongoing support for smoking cessation.
Breaking Barriers: A Rapid Rehousing and Employment Pilot Program for Adults on Probation in Los Angeles County: Evaluation Report March 31, 2020

Sarah B. Hunter, Adam Scherling, Melissa Francisca Felician, Sangita M. Baxi, Matthew Cefalu
Many individuals on probation in Los Angeles County face challenges with housing and employment, placing them at risk for further involvement with the criminal justice system. This report presents early findings on the progress of the Breaking Barriers program, which provides Los Angeles County adults on probation with a time-limited rental housing subsidy, case management, and employment supports.
Locating Medical and Recreational Cannabis Outlets for Research Purposes: Online Methods and Observational Study March 5, 2020

Eric R. Pedersen, Caislin Firth, Jennifer L. Parker, Regina A. Shih, Steven Davenport, Anthony Rodriguez, Michael Stephen Dunbar, Lisa Kraus, Joan S. Tucker, Elizabeth J. D'Amico
This paper describes the methods that build on previous efforts by providing a detailed methodology that can be replicated in large metropolitan areas that have legalized the sale of cannabis.
A Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation: Requirements for Developers and Funders: User Guide March 5, 2020

John S. Hollywood, Brian A. Jackson, Annie Brothers, Mark Barrett, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer
The RAND Corporation and partners are carrying out a research effort to assess and prioritize technology needs across the criminal justice community. Since 2015, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative has published more than 20 reports identifying and prioritizing criminal justice needs for innovation. This product provides a database of all of the needs generated during the first five years of the Initiative.
Wage Loss Monitoring for Injured Workers in California's Workers' Compensation System: 2016–2017 Injury Year Findings (Third Interim Report) February 5, 2020

Stephanie Rennane, Nicholas Broten, Michael Dworsky
The authors of this report present new estimates of wage loss for California's injured workers in 2016–2017 and compare these estimates with trends before, during, and after the Great Recession. They also analyze trends for key subgroups of interest in the workers' compensation system, including analyses by receipt of indemnity benefits, industry, type of injury, and geographic region.
The Frequency and Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders for California Firefighters: Trends and Outcomes over the Past Decade January 31, 2020

Michael Dworsky, Seth A. Seabury, Nicholas Broten
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common type of occupational injury among firefighters, so there is considerable interest among policymakers and stakeholders about how best to monitor, prevent, and treat firefighter MSDs. The authors update analyses from a 2010 study on firefighters in California, considering the impacts on injured firefighters of recent workers' compensation reforms and the economic shocks of the late 2000s.
Hacked Autonomous Vehicles: Who May Be Liable for Damages? An Initial Investigation into How Civil Liability Systems Can Prepare July 12, 2019

Zev Winkelman, Maya Buenaventura, James M. Anderson, Nahom M. Beyene, Pavan Katkar, Greg Baumann
Existing civil liability law is flexible enough to address most hacked autonomous vehicle claims. Manufacturers and operators will need to stay abreast of attacks and take precautions to avoid similar attacks and reduce liability exposure.
When Autonomous Vehicles Are Hacked, Who Is Liable? July 12, 2019

Zev Winkelman, Maya Buenaventura, James M. Anderson, Nahom M. Beyene, Pavan Katkar, Greg Baumann
Who might face civil liability if autonomous vehicles (AVs) are hacked to steal data or inflict mayhem, injuries, and damage? How will the civil justice and insurance systems adjust to handle such claims? RAND researchers addressed these questions to help those in the automotive, technology, legal, and insurance industries prepare for the shifting roles and responsibilities that the era of AVs may bring.
Wage Loss Monitoring for Injured Workers in California's Workers' Compensation System: 2014–2015 Injury Year Findings (Second Interim Report) December 27, 2018

Michael Dworsky, Stephanie Rennane, Nicholas Broten
This report presents new estimates of wage loss for workers in California who suffered a workplace injury or illness in 2014–2015 and compares these estimates with trends before, during, and after the Great Recession. The authors matched injured workers with control workers in the same firm at the time of injury with similar characteristics and analyzed the impact of injury on labor market outcomes, including earnings and employment.
Local Evaluation Report for Los Angeles County's Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) Program September 7, 2018

Sarah B. Hunter, Maya Buenaventura, Matthew Cefalu
In 2015, Los Angeles County was awarded a grant to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from mental health disorders who are returning to the community after incarceration. RAND researchers evaluated the program in terms of improvement in participants' mental health and substance use status, health care insurance status, benefit establishment, housing stability, and criminal justice involvement.
Wage Loss Monitoring for Injured Workers in California's Workers' Compensation System: 2013 Injury Year Findings (First Interim Report) August 31, 2018

Michael Dworsky, Stephanie Rennane, Nicholas Broten
This report presents new estimates of wage loss for workers in California who suffered a workplace injury or illness in 2013 and compares these estimates with trends before, during, and after the Great Recession. The authors matched injured workers with control workers in the same firm at the time of injury with similar characteristics and analyzed the impact of injury on labor market outcomes, including earnings and employment.
How Can Workers' Compensation Systems Promote Occupational Safety and Health? Stakeholder Views on Policy and Research Priorities August 31, 2018

Michael Dworsky, Nicholas Broten
Workers' compensation stakeholders question how well the system promotes occupational safety and health (OSH). It is also not clear how much consensus there is about the specific challenges to OSH and worker well-being in the system or how to address them. This RAND report explores the views of key stakeholders about system challenges and research priorities for reforming workers' compensation systems to promote OSH and the well-being of workers.
Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2016–2017 Report August 8, 2018

Terry Fain, Susan Turner, Nima Shahidinia
California's Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act provides funds for counties to offer evidence-based programs for high-need juvenile probationers and at-risk youths. This report evaluates the program on statewide and county measures. It also compares system costs for program youths in the six months before and after entering a program.
A Pilot Test of a Motivational Interviewing Social Network Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Among Housing First Residents February 9, 2018

David P. Kennedy, Karen Chan Osilla, Sarah B. Hunter, Daniela Golinelli, Ervant J. Maksabedian Hernandez, Joan S. Tucker
Helping formerly homeless people identify members of their social network who trigger alcohol and other drug (AOD) use may motivate them to reduce high-risk AOD use in the transition to permanent housing.
Variation in Cannabis Potency and Prices in a Newly Legal Market: Evidence from 30 Million Cannabis Sales in Washington State September 12, 2017

Rosanna Smart, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Beau Kilmer, Steven Davenport, Gregory Midgette
In Washington state, the potency and price of legal cannabis are currently being shaped by the market rather than by policy levers.
Wearable Technologies for Law Enforcement: Multifunctional Vest System Options September 8, 2017

Richard Silberglitt, Andrew Lauland, Michael Watson, Christopher A. Eusebi, Jesse Lastunen
This report reviews the status of wearable technologies with potential for use by law enforcement and describes three conceptual integrated vest systems that incorporate these technologies. The three systems represent what could be implemented now, what might be done in the near term to provide additional capabilities, and what might be considered in the future to take advantage of technologies that are still in development.
Can an Informative Letter Reduce Gun Crime and Be Cost-Effective? A Study of Los Angeles August 2, 2017

Priscillia Hunt, Layla Parast, Gabriel Weinberger
Between January 2013 and September 2015, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office sent letters to individuals who had just purchased a handgun reminding them of their legal responsibilities as gun owners. This report evaluates the effect of the letters sent by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office on city-level rates of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault with a firearm and conducts a cost-benefit assessment of this letter program.
Provider Fraud in California Workers' Compensation: Selected Issues June 26, 2017

Nicholas M. Pace, Julia Pollak
This report focuses on workers' compensation fraud — specifically, providers' intentional manipulation of rules and procedures. The report conceptualizes the sources of and remedies for workers' compensation fraud in California and offers some high-level recommendations for regulators and legislators to consider.
Propensity Scores for Multiple Treatments: A Tutorial on the MNPS Command for Stata Users May 5, 2017

Matthew Cefalu, Maya Buenaventura
This tutorial explains the syntax and features related to the implementation of the MNPS commands in the Stata TWANG series.
Helping Law Enforcement Use Data from Mobile Applications: A Guide to the Prototype Mobile Information and Knowledge Ecosystem (MIKE) Tool April 28, 2017

Edward Balkovich, Don Prosnitz, Steven C. Isley, Anne E. Boustead, Bonnie L. Triezenberg
Consumer devices that automatically and unobtrusively collect data about their users, including cell phones and other mobile devices, are spreading. This report documents a prototype tool created to help interested stakeholders, such as law enforcement, better understand the mobile app ecosystem and the relationships among the data, its sources, and applicable legal constraints.
Benefits and Earnings Losses for Permanently Disabled Workers in California: Trends Through the Great Recession and Effects of Recent Reforms September 27, 2016

Michael Dworsky, Seth A. Seabury, Frank W. Neuhauser, Ujwal Kharel, Roald Euller
Following California's 2012 bill to enact major reforms to the state workers' compensation system, RAND researchers assess trends in earnings loss and permanent partial disability benefits between 2005 and 2012, including analysis of the Great Recession's impact on outcomes for injured workers, and examine how the reforms might affect injury compensation going forward.

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Student Spotlights

Michelle Priest

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Michelle Priest is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She has a B.A. in economics and a B.A. in linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research interests include emerging industries, especially the ethics and…
Sangita M. Baxi

Assistant Policy Researcher

Sangita Baxi is an assistant policy analyst at RAND and a doctoral student at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She has an M.A.S. in health policy and law from the University of California, San Diego, and the California Western School of Law, and a B.S. in biology from the University of Michigan,…
Annie Brothers

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Annie Brothers is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.