Ryan K. McBain

Ryan K. McBain is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation and an Adjunct Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work focuses on designing and evaluating health policies targeting vulnerable populations, including those affected by mental health conditions, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and poverty. He employs methodologies such as econometric analysis, cost-effectiveness modeling, and qualitative research. Internationally, he collaborates with organizations like the World Bank, WHO, and Partners In Health in sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti.

McBain holds a D.Sc. and M.Sc. in Global Health (Health Economics & Policy Analysis) from Harvard University and a B.A. in Psychology from Gordon College and Oxford University. His research emphasizes telehealth trends, mental health crisis systems (e.g., 988 hotline preparedness), and the intersection of housing and healthcare access. He advocates for evidence-based solutions to address systemic inequities in healthcare delivery and advocates caution in leveraging AI for mental health interventions.

• Education: D.Sc. and M.Sc. in Global Health from Harvard University; B.A. in Psychology from Gordon College and Oxford University.
• Key Research Themes: Mental Health Policy, HIV/AIDS Programs, Telehealth Expansion, Homelessness Solutions.

McBain’s recent work includes analyzing psychiatric bed shortages, evaluating permanent supportive housing programs, and assessing the competency of AI models in mental health contexts. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge gaps between research and policy implementation.