AcademyHealth

AcademyHealth works to make research matter because better evidence leads to better health. We advance the field that studies how care is delivered, what gets in the way, and what actually improves healt.

Health policy is full of tough choices. But too often, research is disconnected from the decisions that shape people’s lives. Our health care system is complex and costly, with outcomes that vary widely and innovations that outpace our ability to apply them wisely.

We bring together the people and ideas needed to close that gap.

As the non-partisan professional home for health services and policy research, AcademyHealth connects evidence, policy, and practice to accelerate solutions that improve health and health care for all. We do this by supporting the people behind the research, strengthening the system behind the science, and working to ensure evidence gets used by those who need it most.

History:
​AcademyHealth was established in June 2000 following a merger between the Alpha Center and the Association for Health Services Research (AHSR).

Founded in 1976, the Alpha Center grew to be recognized as one of the nation’s leading health policy resource centers providing research analysis, facilitation, education and training, strategic planning, and program management. AHSR was formed in 1981 as a non-profit professional society for individuals and organizations with a commitment to health services research. AHSR’s mission included educating consumers and policymakers about the importance of health services research, disseminating information generated by health services researchers, securing funding for the field, and providing networking and professional development opportunities.