News Stories: Buehler Center for Health Policy and Economics: Feinberg School of Medicine

News Stories

Female youth with back against wall, head down in poorly lit room.

Breaking Barriers: Dr. Linda Teplin's Mission to Understand the Outcomes of Incarcerated Youth

Dr. Linda Teplin, Owen L. Coon Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine, focuses on bridging a gap in research on incarcerated populations, with initiatives like the Northwestern Juvenile Project and the Next Generation project funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Read Professor Highlight

Older male sitting on bench in park with his head down

Analysis of Older Adult Suicide Deaths in Illinois, 2020-2021 Summary

During 2020 and 2021, the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) recorded a total of 509 suicide deaths among residents aged 65 and older (238 in 2020 and 271 in 2021). These suicides made up 18.9% of all suicide deaths in Illinois during 2020-2021.

Read about this analysis on older adults

Unveiling the Impact of Firearms in Illinois: Insights from the IVDRS

The Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) under the Buehler Center for Health Policy and Economics tracks violent deaths across the state and adds nuance to the bigger picture. Through analysis of suicides and homicide-suicides in Illinois, IVDRS researchers confirmed a high prevalence of firearms in these cases. Let’s explore what this means in context.

Plea Bargains and Wrongful Convictions: Northwestern Professor's Findings

From depictions in the media, it’s easy to assume the criminal justice system is centered in courtrooms.

In reality, less than 3% of federal criminal cases were settled in trial in fiscal year 2022. Rather, the vast majority were settled in plea deals where defendants pleaded guilty in exchange for lighter sentences.