Roland Sturm

Roland Sturm is a Senior Economist and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, with extensive expertise in health economics, obesity, public health, and statistical analysis of large datasets. He has authored over 200 scientific publications and teaches advanced econometrics and statistics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Stanford University
• M.A. in Statistics, Stanford University
• M.S. in Economics, University of Florida

His research focuses on the economic and environmental determinants of obesity, mental health care financing, managed care systems, and the use of big data in public policy. He has analyzed data from nuclear power plants, medical records, insurance claims, and consumer purchases. His work frequently informs health policy at state and federal levels, and he has testified before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures.

Recent publications highlight trends in severe obesity in Brazil, the health impacts of extreme heat in Los Angeles, microsimulation models of diet and obesity interventions, and mental health service financing in California. His research combines econometric rigor with real-world policy relevance, particularly in health disparities, behavioral health, and nutrition.

Scientific Awards:

• No explicit awards mentioned in the provided text.

Sturm advises on health policy and has contributed to evaluations of insurance coverage expansion, mental health parity laws, and substance abuse treatment financing. His work often involves collaborations across multidisciplinary teams at RAND and with external partners. He leads or contributes to major policy-oriented research projects, including simulations of health interventions and analyses of national health surveys. He has also developed tools like the Heart Disease Data Portal to support public health decision-making.

Labs and Research Teams: While not explicitly named, Sturm is part of RAND’s broader research ecosystem, contributing to initiatives in health policy, behavioral health, and economic modeling. His work is often conducted through RAND’s Health and Public Policy divisions, leveraging large datasets and interdisciplinary collaboration.