Nick Hart

Presents a collection of case studies that highlight the many approaches to using evidence, the different types of information that can be relevant, and the challenges faced in the real world.

Focuses on secure computation, which allows information to be accessed securely, guarantees privacy, and permits analysis without making private information available.

Examines how federal opioid investments are spent across five geographically diverse states: Arizona, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee. Takes an in-depth look at how these states are allocating the two largest federal opioid grants, the State Targeted Response and State Opioid Response grants. Incorporates county-level maps of federal funding and drug-related deaths from 2015 to 2017 for each of the selected states. 

Offers relevant insights for development of the U.S. Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking's recommended National Secure Data Service to fill identified capacity gaps as a shared service center for federal agencies. Suggests that government needs to improve capacity to engage this work, with better abilities and an organizational infrastructure and legal framework that supports securely accessing and analyzing data.

Evaluates federal government usage and availability of data to determine policy effectiveness. Argues that the government must make data more available for analysis, and commit to transparency with how information is gathered and used.

Evaluates the use of evidence in Congress. Identifies different types of barriers within the institution that impede evidence use.

Evaluates initiatives to use evidence to improve government function in the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. Provides insight in how future initiatives may learn from past experiences.