RTI International Research Publications
RTI publishes the results of our research in a variety of formats, and many can be downloaded for free as a PDF file. When we don’t own the copyright of a publication, we provide a full citation and/or a link to an online version.
RTI Press
Under the imprint of the RTI Press, we also publish research reports, methods reports, conference proceedings, and books and monographs to further disseminate the results of RTI research.
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Featured Publications
The following publications were featured in the the latest edition of the RTI Publications Bulletin.
The relationship between individual life events and preterm delivery
Whitehead, N. (September 2008). RTI Press publication RR-0003-0809.
Some types of stress may increase risk for preterm delivery, but many stressful events do not, according to study by a researcher at RTI International.
The study found that being in debt, being injured by a partner, having someone close attempt suicide, and being divorced were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, but 13 other events were not. According to the research, women who reported being in debt were the most consistently at risk for preterm delivery.
The study found that being in debt, being injured by a partner, having someone close attempt suicide, and being divorced were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, but 13 other events were not. According to the research, women who reported being in debt were the most consistently at risk for preterm delivery.
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External Link»Costs of illness among older adults: An analysis of six major health conditions with significant environmental risk factors
Van Houtven, G., Honeycutt, A.A., Gilman, B., McCall, N.T., Throneburg, W.W., et al. (September 2008). RTI Press Publication No. RR-0002-0809.
Six major illnesses common among Americans age 65 and older cost more than $196 billion in 2007, according to estimates by researchers at RTI International and Environmental Protection Agency's Aging Initiative.
The study estimated the cost burden associated of six major illnesses among Americans age 65 or older: chronic lung disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia and gastrointestinal illness. These illnesses are common among older Americans and environmental exposures are a significant risk factor for each of them.
The study estimated the cost burden associated of six major illnesses among Americans age 65 or older: chronic lung disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia and gastrointestinal illness. These illnesses are common among older Americans and environmental exposures are a significant risk factor for each of them.
Use of secondary population-based databases to evaluate the safety of medications
Tennis, P.S., Andrews, E.B., Lanza, L.L., & Johannes, C.B. (September 2008). RTI Press publication MR-0007-0809.
Large electronic databases, such as electronic medical records, are powerful tools for evaluating drug safety, i.e. quantifying the frequency of possible adverse health effects of a specific drug, according to a new synthesis by researchers at RTI International.
The paper summarizes the data resources available for detection and evaluation of safety signals for possible adverse events related to drugs, and describes the resources and methods used in drug safety research. According to the researchers, the most relevant and available data resources primarily include anonymized electronic health care claims and electronic medical records and can be used to identify new safety issues and to evaluate known or suspected problems.
The paper summarizes the data resources available for detection and evaluation of safety signals for possible adverse events related to drugs, and describes the resources and methods used in drug safety research. According to the researchers, the most relevant and available data resources primarily include anonymized electronic health care claims and electronic medical records and can be used to identify new safety issues and to evaluate known or suspected problems.
A TV in the bedroom: Implications for viewing habits and risk behaviors during early adolescence
Jackson, C., Brown, J.D., & Pardun, C.J. (2008). Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 52 (3):349-367.
Bedroom televisions are a significant predictor of white teens engaging in smoking and sex, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Middle Tennessee State University.
The study found that white adolescents who had a television in their bedroom were more likely to regularly view mature content television programs, have less parental oversight of their media practices, and initiate health risk behaviors, including cigarette smoking and sex. The study also showed that white adolescents who had a bedroom television were, after two years, nearly three and a half times more likely to have ever tried smoking and nearly two times more likely to have had sex than adolescents who had no bedroom television.
The study found that white adolescents who had a television in their bedroom were more likely to regularly view mature content television programs, have less parental oversight of their media practices, and initiate health risk behaviors, including cigarette smoking and sex. The study also showed that white adolescents who had a bedroom television were, after two years, nearly three and a half times more likely to have ever tried smoking and nearly two times more likely to have had sex than adolescents who had no bedroom television.
The state and international development management: Shifting tides, changing boundaries, and future directions
Brinkerhoff, D.W. (2008). Public Administration Review, 68 (6):985-1001.
A new paper by a researcher at RTI International suggests that the lessons of past experience with managing development need to better inform current policy and practice as today's global concerns with poverty, instability, and terrorism link international development and security in unprecedented ways.
The author suggests institutional barriers to cooperation and shared learning need to be overcome, along with tendencies to revert to earlier, simplistic management approaches to solving international development problems.
The author suggests institutional barriers to cooperation and shared learning need to be overcome, along with tendencies to revert to earlier, simplistic management approaches to solving international development problems.
Cost and cost-effectiveness of the COMBINE study in alcohol-dependent patients
Zarkin, G.A., Bray, J.W., Aldridge, A., Mitra, D., Mills, M.J., et al. (2008). Archives of General Psychiatry, 65 (10):1214-1221.
Two therapies that combine pharmacotherapies and behavioral interventions are cost-effective, viable options for treating alcohol-dependent patients, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International.
The researchers found that medical management combined with naltrexone, or combined with naltrexone-acamprosate, two common anti-dependency drugs, were both cost-effective options for clinics to use to treat alcohol dependency.
The researchers found that medical management combined with naltrexone, or combined with naltrexone-acamprosate, two common anti-dependency drugs, were both cost-effective options for clinics to use to treat alcohol dependency.
Promising practices in promotion of healthy weight at small and medium-sized US worksites
More featured publications…
Hersey, J., Williams-Piehota, P., Sparling, P.B., Alexander, J., Hill, M.D., Isenberg, K.B., et al. (2008 Oct). Preventing Chronic Disease, 5 (4):A122.
Researchers at RTI identified peer coaching, wellness screening coupled with motivational interviewing and follow-up, free access to fitness facilities, and incentives such as days of paid leave for participation in wellness programs as good practices to encourage employees at small- and medium-sized offices to maintain a healthy weight.
The results showed that businesses that used these practices had staff members who showed decreases in high blood pressure, serum cholesterol concentrations and body weight.
The results showed that businesses that used these practices had staff members who showed decreases in high blood pressure, serum cholesterol concentrations and body weight.