American Institutes for Research to Showcase Health Insights at 2026 AcademyHealth Meeting

Health experts from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are set to exhibit their latest research findings at the AcademyHealth 2026 Annual Research Meeting. This prestigious event will take place in Seattle, Washington, from May 30 to June 2, bringing together a vast array of health researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders.

The AcademyHealth meeting is renowned for being one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the United States, primarily focused on health research. Thousands of attendees come together to share methodologies, insights, and evidence aimed at tackling pressing healthcare challenges. The central theme for this year's meeting, "Rigor and Relevance Driving Action," underscores AIR's dedication to producing high-quality, evidence-based research that fosters positive change within the healthcare landscape.

As a sponsor of this event, AIR will be well-represented, with sessions led by its experts covering a broad spectrum of health-related topics. Among the key issues that will be discussed are partnerships focused on enhancing patient-centered clinical effectiveness, bolstering the primary care workforce, and assessing Medicare Advantage plans tailored for veterans.

A highlight of the meeting will be the presentation by Brandy Farrar, an AIR Institute Fellow specializing in health data analytics and business intelligence. Her session, scheduled for Monday, June 1, will share findings from the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative, an initiative aimed at improving mental health services and workforce capacity.

Overview of Scheduled Sessions

AIR experts are scheduled to lead several important sessions and presentations, detailed below along with their timings and locations:

Sunday, May 31

- 8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

- Poster Presentation: "Does the VA/DoD Adjustment to Medicare Advantage Benchmarks Affect Veteran-Targeted Plan Offerings?"
- Authors: Aditi Pathak, Susan Joy, Laila Odeh
- Location: Hall 4AB (Level 4, Seattle Convention Center)

- 8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

- Poster Presentation: "Analysis of Marketing Materials for Veteran-Targeted Medicare Advantage Plans"
- Authors: Robyn Elkins, Melissa Hafner, Juana Ruiz, Susan Joy
- Location: Hall 4AB (Level 4, Seattle Convention Center)

Monday, June 1

- 8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

- Poster Presentation: "Antecedents of Trust in Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Partnerships"
- Author: Tandrea Hilliard-Boone
- Location: Hall 4AB (Level 4, Seattle Convention Center)

- 8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

- Poster Presentation: "Supporting Community-Based Behavioral Health Outcomes and Lessons from the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative"
- Authors: Brandy Farrar, Varsha Nair, Sarah Pedersen, Amanda Ahlstrand, Trent Sharp
- Location: Hall 4AB (Level 4, Seattle Convention Center)

- 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

- Session: "Strengthening Primary Care Workforce, Teams, and Continuity"
- Presenter: Jason Scott
- Location: 608 (Level 6, Seattle Convention Center)

- 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

- Session: "Advancing the Measurement of Geographic Access to Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities"
- Presenter: Aditi Pathak
- Location: Ballroom 6C (Level 6, Seattle Convention Center)

About AIR

Founded in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to behavioral and social science research, providing essential technical assistance across various sectors, including health and education. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and with offices throughout the U.S. and internationally, AIR is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of critical issues affecting society.

To learn more about AIR and its contributions to health research, please visit www.air.org.

For media inquiries, please contact Dana Tofig at [email protected].