The U.S. health care system prides itself on adopting the principles of evidence-based medicine. Do the same principles and values hold true for evidence-based policymaking? If better evidence leads to better policy, then how does research get translated into the acceptance, alteration, or rejection of specific policies? What is the political equivalent of “bench-to-bedside”? When does the process fall short and how can it be made more effective?

The Association for Public Policy and Management and Mathematica Policy Research took part in an engaging discussion of the roles health research and evidence play in the policy process. The interactive, roundtable-style forum and webcast included the following speakers representing different facets of the policy sphere:

• Paul Decker, Mathematica CEO and APPAM president-elect—Welcome and Introduction
• Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief Health Affairs—Moderator

Panelists:

• Chuck Clapton, J.D., minority health policy director, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
• Judy Feder, Ph.D., professor of public policy, Georgetown University, and  health policy fellow, Urban Institute; former deputy assistant secretary for planning and evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Wendell Primus, Ph.D., senior policy adviser, Office of the House Minority Leader

The panelists shared their personal experiences and perspectives, and addressed questions from the in-person and web audiences. Specifically, they:

• Demystified what type of health research policymakers need and the channels they use to find it
• Highlighted the importance of framing and synthesizing research findings for a policy audience
• Provided multiple perspectives on when research is (and isn’t) used, and why
• Addressed the role of the media and politics in research and policy

This was the first in a series of forums and events jointly hosted by APPAM and its institutional members designed to help better connect the worlds of research and policy. Upcoming events will feature additional institutional members and focus on a wide range of topics and interest areas.