Research Library

The second largest percentage of new HIV infections in the United States occurs among people aged 13 to 24 years old. Yet very few state minor consent laws explicitly authorize adolescents to consent to preventive services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections without parental permission.

Fewer Texans say they have problems paying their medical bills in 2015 compared with 2013, according to a new report released today by the Baker Institute and the Episcopal Health Foundation.

The rate of adults without health insurance across the U.S. dropped nearly twice as much as in Texas from 2013 to 2015, according to a new report released today by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation.

This policy brief urges collaboration between the United States and Mexico to address widespread epidemics of mosquito-transmitted diseases like West Nile, dengue and chikungunya in both countries. Such policy development should focus on vector control programs, public awareness and the development of vaccines to curb the spread of these diseases.

Why don't physicians talk to their patients about recommended HIV screening tests?

Modern contraceptive methods, such as condoms, can be stigmatized in Middle Eastern culture due to their perceived connection to illicit sexual activities, and some believe the use of condoms to be incompatible with the teachings of Islam. This issue brief examines condom use rates in the Middle East and the role of cultural orientations in contraceptive choice.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) play a critical role in hindering the advancement of the world's Muslim-majority countries. This paper examines the impact of NTDs on human development in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Despite right-wing pushes for the annexation of a significant portion of the West Bank, support remains for a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yair Hirschfeld, fellow in the Center for the Middle East, analyzes Israel's political environment in this post on the Baker Institute Blog.

A larger percentage of Texas workers are getting health insurance through their employers now than before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report released by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation.

This journal article assesses the burden of Chagas disease in Texas, concluding that transmission of the disease from Latin America to Texas has occurred for at least the past seven decades. The authors recommend steps to broaden awareness and study of Chagas disease.