Altarum Institute
Altarum Institute is a U.S. nonprofit research and consulting organization focused on health policy, health economics, public programs, data, and health care improvement.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Altarum Institute is a nonprofit research and consulting organization serving government health insurers, health foundations, health organizations, and other nonprofit or public-interest clients. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it works primarily in the United States and focuses on health care systems, health policy, health economics, program evaluation, public-program implementation, health information technology, data analysis, and communications. The institution traces its organizational history to 1946, when it operated as Willow Run Laboratory in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It later became the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, commonly known as ERIM, in 1972. A major strategic transition occurred in 2001, when ERIM acquired Vector Research, Inc., a health care information systems company, and adopted the Altarum name. Subsequent acquisitions broadened the organization’s health research and communications capabilities. KAI Research, Inc. joined Altarum in 2009, bringing clinical research experience involving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and the National Institutes of Health. In 2011, Altarum acquired Palladian Partners, a Maryland-based science, medical, and public health communications firm. In 2017, it expanded its work in advanced analytics and value-based payment through the integration of the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute. Altarum’s activities combine independent or commissioned research with professional services. Its research addresses the cost, quality, accessibility, efficiency, and equity of health care, with particular attention to vulnerable and publicly insured populations. The organization analyzes health sector spending, prices, employment, racial health disparities, and the economic consequences of major public health problems. Its consulting and implementation work includes support for public agencies and health care organizations, evaluation of programs, assistance with health information technology adoption, and development of care models. Examples of its public-interest work include a 2018 report supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that examined the economic benefits of eliminating racial disparities. Altarum also estimated that the opioid crisis generated approximately $1 trillion in economic costs between 2001 and 2017. In health information technology, a federal grant supported the creation of the Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption in 2010, which assisted Michigan physicians seeking to implement electronic health records. With support from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Altarum also developed an integrated care model designed to help primary care practices screen children for oral health needs and refer them to dentists for preventive care. Altarum is not principally a consumer-facing brand and does not operate as a conventional product manufacturer or retailer. Its principal offerings are research studies, economic and policy analysis, evaluation, data and technology services, implementation assistance, and scientific and public health communications. Its positioning is that of a nonprofit, public-interest organization translating evidence and analysis into improvements in health policy and health care delivery.
History
Altarum Institute’s institutional history reaches back to 1946, when its predecessor operated as Willow Run Laboratory in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The laboratory was associated with the region’s broader research and technology environment. In 1972, Willow Run became the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, or ERIM. During this period, the organization’s identity was rooted in research and technical capabilities rather than in the health policy and consulting profile associated with the Altarum name today. A pivotal transformation took place in 2001. ERIM acquired Vector Research, Inc., a company specializing in health care information systems, and changed its name to Altarum. The transaction strengthened the organization’s health-sector orientation and established a platform for combining research, technology, and consulting. Altarum subsequently developed a portfolio serving government health insurers, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions concerned with health and health care. In 2009, Altarum acquired KAI Research, Inc. This added clinical research capabilities connected to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and the National Institutes of Health. In 2011, it acquired Palladian Partners, a Maryland-based firm providing science, medical, and public health communications to government agencies and private companies. These transactions broadened Altarum beyond policy analysis into clinical research and the communication of scientific and public-health information. The organization continued expanding its applied health care work during the 2010s. In 2010, federal grant funding supported the creation of the Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption. The center offered consulting and technical assistance to Michigan physicians working to incorporate electronic health records into their practices. Altarum also worked with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on an integrated care model that enabled primary care physicians to conduct oral health screenings for children and refer patients to dentists for preventive care. In 2017, Altarum integrated the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, adding to its capabilities in advanced data analytics and value-based payment. This development reflected a broader emphasis on using data and incentives to improve health care quality and outcomes while managing costs. Altarum’s research agenda includes vulnerable and publicly insured populations, health sector spending, prices, employment, racial disparities, and the economic effects of public health crises. In 2018, it issued a report funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation concerning the economic benefits of eliminating racial disparities. It also estimated that the opioid crisis had imposed approximately $1 trillion in economic costs between 2001 and 2017. Across these activities, Altarum has operated as a nonprofit research and professional-services institution rather than as a consumer product company. Its current organizational profile combines health policy research, economic analysis, evaluation, data and technology services, implementation support, and public health communications.
- 2018
Research addresses racial disparities and opioid-crisis costs
[1]Altarum published work on the economic benefits of eliminating racial disparities and assessed the economic cost of the opioid crisis.
- 2017
Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute is integrated
[1]The integration strengthened Altarum’s work in advanced analytics and value-based payment.
- 2011
Palladian Partners is acquired
[1]The acquisition added science, medical, and public health communications capabilities.
- 2010
Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption is established
[1]Federal grant funding supported a center providing Michigan physicians with assistance adopting electronic health record systems.
- 2009
KAI Research joins Altarum
[1]The acquisition expanded Altarum’s clinical research activities in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and federal research settings.
- 2001
ERIM acquires Vector Research and becomes Altarum
[1]ERIM acquired Vector Research, Inc., a health care information systems company, and changed its name to Altarum.
- 1972
Willow Run becomes ERIM
[1]Willow Run Laboratory adopted the name Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, commonly abbreviated as ERIM.
- 1946
Institutional predecessor begins as Willow Run Laboratory
[1]Altarum traces its institutional history to Willow Run Laboratory in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Products and positioning
Nonprofit, public-interest health policy research and consulting organization
Research service
Health policy research
Altarum conducts policy research for government health insurers, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other health-sector stakeholders. Its work examines access, quality, cost, equity, and the performance of health care systems, with particular attention to vulnerable and publicly insured populations. The output may include policy studies, evidence reviews, analytical reports, and recommendations for improving public programs.
Economic analysis
Health economics and sector analysis
This offering covers analysis of health care spending, prices, employment, economic impacts, and broader sector trends. Altarum has used these capabilities to study the economic consequences of racial disparities and the opioid crisis. The work supports policy development, resource allocation, program planning, and assessment of health-system performance.
Consulting service
Program evaluation and implementation support
Altarum evaluates and supports public and health care programs, combining research methods, data analysis, implementation assistance, and operational consulting. Its role can include assessing whether an intervention is reaching intended populations, measuring outcomes, identifying barriers, and helping agencies or organizations improve delivery.
Health information technology · 2010
Health data and technology services
Altarum provides data, analytics, and health information technology support for public and nonprofit health-sector clients. Through the Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption, it assisted physicians implementing electronic health records. Its later work also included advanced analytics and applications related to value-based payment.
Communications service · 2011
Public health and scientific communications
Following the acquisition of Palladian Partners, Altarum included science, medical, and public health communications within its capabilities. These services support government agencies, private companies, and other organizations that need research findings, health information, and technical material communicated to professional or public audiences.
Health care improvement service · 2017
Value-based payment and care-model development
Altarum’s work in value-based payment and integrated care applies incentives, analytics, and care redesign to health-system improvement. Its activities have included integrating the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute and developing, with CMS support, a model that enabled primary care practices to screen children for oral health needs and refer them to dentists.
Brand decisions
2017
Integrate the Health Care Incentives Improvement InstituteStrategyBackground
Health care purchasers and policymakers were placing greater emphasis on data-driven improvement and value-based payment.
Action taken
Altarum integrated the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute into its operations.
Aftermath
The integration expanded Altarum’s advanced analytics and value-based payment capabilities.
2011
Acquire Palladian PartnersM&ABackground
Altarum aimed to strengthen its ability to communicate scientific, medical, and public health information.
Action taken
Altarum acquired Palladian Partners, a Maryland-based communications firm.
Aftermath
The organization added communications services for government agencies and private companies.
2009
Acquire KAI ResearchM&ABackground
Altarum sought to broaden its research portfolio into clinical research serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and federal clients.
Action taken
Altarum acquired KAI Research, Inc.
Aftermath
Clinical research became an additional component of Altarum’s nonprofit research and consulting portfolio.
2001
Acquire Vector Research and reposition under the Altarum nameM&ABackground
ERIM sought to expand its health care information systems capabilities through the acquisition of Vector Research, Inc.
Action taken
ERIM acquired Vector Research and changed its organizational name to Altarum.
Aftermath
The transaction marked a major shift toward health care research, information systems, and related consulting work.
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