Bio: Alan Cass, a 2002-03 Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice, is head of the Renal Program at the George Institute for International Health. His research program spans from global, multi-centre clinical trials generating evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions in chronic disease, through health systems research exploring barriers to equitable health outcomes, to participatory action research aiming to improve cross-cultural competence in health care. Cass was co-organizer of a Health Policy Roundtable held in Beijing in April 2005, organized in conjunction with the Chinese Ministry of Health, to address safety and quality of health care in China. He is a lead researcher within an Indigenous Health Research Network across Australia, New Zealand and Canada, which includes four Harkness Fellows. The research collaboration aims to reduce disparities in chronic diseases and has a strong focus on research translation. Cass is the chair of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Taskforce on Equity and Health and Inaugural chair of the Scientific Committee of the Australasian Kidney Trials Network.
Placement: Harvard University
Mentors: John Ayanian, M.D.
Project: A Cross-National Study of Racial Minorities' Access to Renal Transplantation
Description: Cass used national datasets available in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. to determine disparities in access to renal transplantation for indigenous and ethnic minorities. He also interviewed key health service providers, policymakers, patients, and family members to investigate barriers to accessing renal transplantation services. He used the findings to develop strategies for reducing these barriers.