About
The Health Systems & Policy Lab in the Section of Population Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, is a collaborative research group specializing in conducting policy-relevant, health services research that improves care for vulnerable patients.
Grounded in emergency medicine but spanning the broader care continuum, we study how policies and system design shape access, quality, and patient outcomes across the health system.
We specialize in rigorous evaluation of health policy and delivery system interventions using real-world data. Our work applies quasi-experimental methods, large administrative datasets, and mixed-methods approaches to produce actionable evidence for policymakers, health systems, and communities.
We apply this approach across core areas of work, including access to care for vulnerable populations, payment policy and financial risk, acute care systems and capacity, and quality and outcomes in emergency care. Our work has come from a broad range of funders, including the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Aging, Emergency Medicine Foundation, Agency for Health Care Quality & Research, Washington Department of Health, UW Population Health Initiative, among others.
Our Work
Access to Care for Vulnerable Populations
We identify barriers to care and evaluate delivery models that improve access and equity, with a particular emphasis on behavioral health.
Care Systems & Capacity
We analyze system-level drivers of crowding, care transitions, and capacity to understand both acute care delivery and unmet needs across the health system.
Payment Policy & Financial Risk
Our work evaluates how insurance design and value-based models influence utilization, spending, and financial protection.
Quality & Outcomes in Emergency Care
Our research identifies gaps in safety and performance and informs strategies to improve outcomes for high-risk and vulnerable populations.
Our Team
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Systems & Population Health
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Harsha Amaravadi, PhD, MSc
Research Scientist
Molly Unsworth, MPH
Research Coordinator
Kirstin Woody Scott, MD, PhD
Resident, Emergency Medicine
Ernie Tao, MD, MPH
Resident, Emergency Medicine