Abt Associates applies scientific research, consulting and technical assistance expertise to a wide range of issues in social, economic, and health policy; international development; business research and consulting; and clinical trials and registries. One of the largest for-profit government and business research and consulting firms in the world, Abt Associates delivers practical, measurable, high-value-added results. Our staff of more than 1,000 employee-owners includes national and international experts who are recognized for their knowledge, innovative research techniques, and insightful analyses and recommendations.The Company applies its expertise in research, consulting, technical assistance, data collection and medical and life sciences to a wide variety of problems in the public and private sectors. In the United States, Abt Associates has helped shape many important and complex public programs, including Medicaid, welfare reform, Head Start, crime reporting, and housing experiments. The Company is also a recognized leader in providing technical assistance to facilitate policy reforms in countries moving to market oriented economies. It has extensive experience in advising countries on economic growth and health systems strengthening. Working with the U.S. Agency for International Development, our experts in health, economic growth, the environment, and trade have helped governments improve service delivery and implement sustainable market-based reforms. Examples of Abt Associates' work include research, evaluation and technical assistance related to improving the effectiveness of government programs, the efficacy of new pharmaceuticals, the cost-effectiveness of environmental regulations, the usefulness of new education strategies, the efficiency of healthcare systems, the incidence and prevalence of diseases, and the effectiveness of customer satisfaction and market positioning strategies.