SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT WORK. Findings From Well-Conducted Randomized Controlled Trials The Problem: U.S. social programs, set up to address important problems, often fall short by funding specific models/strategies (“interventions”) that are not effective.
When evaluated in scientifically-rigorous studies, social interventions in K-12 education, job training, crime prevention, and other areas are frequently found ineffective or marginally effective. Interventions that produce sizable, sustained effects on important life outcomes tend to be the exception. Meanwhile, respected government measures show that the United States has made little progress over the past 40 years in key areas such as reducing poverty1 and increasing K-12 educational achievement.2 To Help Address This Problem: This site seeks to identify those social interventions shown in rigorous studies to produce sizable, sustained benefits to participants and/or society. Mental Health. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below Those found through an expert review process to meet the Congressional “Top Tier” evidence standard are denoted “Top Tier”; those found to require only one more step to meet this standard – e.g., replication of their sizeable, sustained effects in an additional well-conducted randomized controlled trial – are denoted “Near Top Tier”.
The other listed interventions have been found promising by Coalition staff but have not yet been identified by the expert panel as Top Tier or Near Top Tier – in some cases, because of study limitations (such as only short-term follow-up) that indicate the need for additional testing.1 Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Depression prevention program for youth at elevated risk of serious depression): Randomized controlled trials show sizable effect in preventing clinical depression. Healthcare Financing and Delivery. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below Those found through an expert review process to meet the Congressional “Top Tier” evidence standard are denoted “Top Tier”; those found to require only one more step to meet this standard – e.g., replication of their sizeable, sustained effects in an additional well-conducted randomized controlled trial – are denoted “Near Top Tier”.
The other listed interventions have been found promising by Coalition staff but have not yet been identified by the expert panel as Top Tier or Near Top Tier – in some cases, because of study limitations (such as only short-term follow-up) that indicate the need for additional testing.1 Top Tier Transitional Care Model (A nurse-led hospital discharge and home follow-up program for chronically ill older adults): Randomized controlled trials show major reductions in rehospitalizations and net savings in health care expenditures.
Youth Development. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. International Development. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below Those found through an expert review process to meet the Congressional “Top Tier” evidence standard are denoted “Top Tier”; those found to require only one more step to meet this standard – e.g., replication of their sizeable, sustained effects in an additional well-conducted randomized controlled trial – are denoted “Near Top Tier”.
The other listed interventions have been found promising by Coalition staff but have not yet been identified by the expert panel as Top Tier or Near Top Tier – in some cases, because of study limitations (such as only short-term follow-up) that indicate the need for additional testing.1 Near Top Tier Child Immunization Campaign with Incentives (Monthly immunization camps in poor Indian villages, combined with small incentives for parents to have their children immunized – e.g., a $1 bag of lentils): Randomized controlled trial shows a major increase in childhood immunizations. Crime/Violence Prevention. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below Those found through an expert review process to meet the Congressional “Top Tier” evidence standard are denoted “Top Tier”; those found to require only one more step to meet this standard – e.g., replication of their sizeable, sustained effects in an additional well-conducted randomized controlled trial – are denoted “Near Top Tier”.
The other listed interventions have been found promising by Coalition staff but have not yet been identified by the expert panel as Top Tier or Near Top Tier – in some cases, because of study limitations (such as only short-term follow-up) that indicate the need for additional testing.1 Top Tier Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (A foster care intervention for severely delinquent youths): Randomized controlled trials show sizable reductions in youths’ criminal activity and (for girls) teen pregnancy. Early Childhood. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below.
Housing/Homelessness. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below Those found through an expert review process to meet the Congressional “Top Tier” evidence standard are denoted “Top Tier”; those found to require only one more step to meet this standard – e.g., replication of their sizeable, sustained effects in an additional well-conducted randomized controlled trial – are denoted “Near Top Tier”.
The other listed interventions have been found promising by Coalition staff but have not yet been identified by the expert panel as Top Tier or Near Top Tier – in some cases, because of study limitations (such as only short-term follow-up) that indicate the need for additional testing.1 Top Tier Critical Time Intervention (A case management program to prevent recurrent homelessness in people with severe mental illness): Randomized controlled trials show a sizable decrease in rates and duration of homelessness.
Education (K-12) The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below.
Employment and Welfare. The Interventions We’ve Identified Are Linked Below.
