Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Jan. 27, 2026
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Poison Centers Provide Billions in Benefits
Every $1 spent by U.S. Poison Centers on services generates nearly $17 in benefits to society.
That's according to a new RAND study that assesses the value of the U.S. Poison Center Network, offering insight into centers' services, costs, funding sources, and more.
Most of this return on investment comes from avoided health care use or reduced length of stay when health care is used, with reduced mortality risk also making a significant contribution. This adds up to about $3.1 billion in benefits each year.
"Our findings demonstrate that the economic and societal value of Poison Centers is significant," says RAND's David Metz, lead author of the report. "Poison Centers take strain off an already-burdened emergency health system, while saving lives and money."
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The Israel-Iran Detente Won't Last
Israel's response to the recent unrest in Iran was unexpected: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke from his hard-line stance against Tehran and agreed not to launch any strikes. According to RAND's Raphael Cohen, this was a tactical pause--not a game changer in the longtime Israel-Iran rivalry. The detente is likely to break down, he says, and when it does, the next clash "could be even bigger and uglier than the previous ones."
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Why China's Energy Systems Are a Security Risk
Electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels aren't just machines anymore--they're smart, connected systems. That means when companies source these technologies from China, they're not just importing hardware. They're also importing foreign-controlled software code that determines how critical energy assets function. According to RAND Europe experts, this poses serious national security risks.
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** RAND Recommends
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- Most clicked last week: new RAND survey data showing that millions of Americans are microdosing psychedelics.
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- RAND's Anna Shapiro discusses how many older students in America's schools are struggling with reading and what might reverse this trend.
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- Nuclear weapons are regaining significance. RAND Europe researchers explain the dangers of ignoring this "new nuclear world."
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** Policy Minded, RAND's Flagship Podcast
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On Policy Minded, we pick the brains of the world's top policy experts. In each episode, RAND researchers join us for conversations that go beyond the headlines--bringing you insights you can't find anywhere else.
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