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Brett J. O'Hara

Chief, Health Insurance and Disability Statistics Branch
Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division

Brett O'Hara is chief of the Health Insurance and Disability Statistics Branch in the Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division at the U.S. Census Bureau. The branch is responsible for processing, analyzing and publishing health-related estimates that are collected in the Current Population Survey's Annual Social and Economic Supplement, the American Community Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation.

O'Hara began his federal career at the Census Bureau in 2000 as a research economist. His research focused on TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), health insurance coverage and disability. From 2002 to 2005, he moved to the Social Security Administration and was involved in research examining populations that receive disability benefits. O'Hara returned to the Census Bureau in 2005, joining the Small Area Estimates Branch to continue research investigating poverty and health. In 2010, he became chief of the Health Insurance and Disability Statistics Branch.

O'Hara has written several journal articles on such topics as the labor market outcome of people with disabilities, the impact of medical expenses on low-income people, and small area health insurance estimates. The journals include the Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, Health Services Research, and Cancer Causes Control.

O'Hara earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy and economics from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.