A Clarksville, Maryland, research-driven company is reshaping how healthcare decisions, particularly those involving pharmacy and medical device utilization, are made across the United States and beyond. Health Analytics, founded in 2005 by Charles Ruetsch, PhD, has established itself as a trusted authority providing health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and real-world evidence (RWE) to its pharmaceutical and device manufacturer clients, transforming complex data into meaningful evidence that improves both the quality and affordability of healthcare while helping ensure that the right patient gets the right treatment the first time.
Health Analytics was built on a clear conviction: that data, when properly understood, has the power to improve outcomes for everyone in the healthcare ecosystem.
“Health Analytics was founded on the mission that health economics and outcomes research can help all stakeholders in the healthcare system improve,” says Charles. “The real-world evidence we generate and publish can help improve not only the quality of care that is received, but also decrease the cost of good healthcare.”
That dual focus of better care and sustainable cost continues to define the firm’s work.
A Firm Grounded in Evidence and Impact
At its core, Health Analytics specializes in generating evidence that reflects how healthcare treatments truly perform outside the highly controlled environments of clinical trials. The firm designs and executes rigorous research, including claims analyses, observational studies, and literature reviews, to help life sciences companies, healthcare organizations, and policymakers understand disease burden, treatment effectiveness, and the real-world impact of innovation.
“The future of healthcare depends on our ability to learn from real patients, real experiences, and real outcomes,” he explains. “Real-world evidence is no longer optional; it’s the bridge between what pharmaceutical and device manufacturers prove works in the highly controlled clinical trials and how medications and devices really work when used in ‘real world’ clinical settings like doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.” Often, when a new drug or device is approved for use, treatment outcomes are different from results from trials. For example, real-life clinical settings aren’t staffed to make sure patients take their medicines exactly the way they’re prescribed. Also, in real clinical settings, patients are much more likely to have multiple comordities or other complications that would be excluded from the clinical trials required for FDA approval.”
Health Analytics’ expertise spans the full HEOR lifecycle, from early evidence planning through execution and interpretation. The team identifies knowledge gaps that could mean a new drug or device goes unnoticed or underutilized, leaving patients undertreated. From there, we develop targeted study strategies, conduct the necessary analyses, and communicate findings in ways that help clinicians more clearly understand how a new therapy could, and should, be used.
What distinguishes the firm is its emphasis on relevance and responsibility. “If we want a healthcare system that delivers high-quality care at a sustainable cost, we must commit to generating, sharing, and acting on evidence that reflects the full diversity and complexity of patients’ lives,” he says.
From Data to Decisions: Real-World Evidence that Matters
Health Analytics’ work is rooted in real-world data – information derived from actual patient experiences, healthcare utilization patterns, and outcomes in everyday clinical practice. This approach allows clients to move beyond assumptions and test how treatments perform across diverse populations and real clinical settings.
“The insights are already in the data,” says Charles. “The transformation happens when we choose to listen.”
By applying scientifically rigorous methods to real-world datasets, Health Analytics helps organizations understand not just whether an intervention works, but for whom it works best, under what conditions, and at what cost, factors that aren’t fully captured in studies required for FDA approval. These insights shape value propositions, inform coverage decisions, and guide long-term healthcare strategy.
A Journey Built on Scientific Rigor
Health Analytics was founded after its leadership recognized a persistent challenge in healthcare research: an abundance of data without sufficient insight. After years of working across academia, pharmaceutical research, and real-world data analytics, Charles saw firsthand how often meaningful evidence failed to translate into actionable knowledge. “Health Analytics was founded on the belief that evidence has the power to improve healthcare for every stakeholder – patients, clinicians, payers, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and innovators,” he says.
From the beginning, the company committed itself to scientific rigor paired with practical relevance. Over time, Health Analytics expanded its expertise across therapeutic areas, data sources, and methodologies, partnering with organizations that share its belief that better evidence leads to better care.
“Our journey has been shaped by a commitment to scientific rigor and a deep understanding of how healthcare operates in practice – not just in theory,” he explains. “Today, we continue to grow by remaining true to our core purpose: providing research that is not only technically sound but genuinely impactful.”
A Clear Vision for the Future of Healthcare
As healthcare systems face increasing pressure to deliver better outcomes with finite resources, the role of real-world evidence continues to grow. For Health Analytics, this moment reinforces the responsibility that comes with working in data-driven research.
“Healthcare innovation is only as strong as the evidence that supports it,” he says. “If we want a healthier, more equitable, and more efficient future, we must invest in research that reflects real-world experiences and drives real-world change.”
That belief guides every study the firm undertakes. “At Health Analytics, we believe that every dataset is an opportunity – and every analysis is a responsibility,” he adds.
From its base in Maryland, Health Analytics continues to influence national conversations about value, access, and outcomes in healthcare. With a clear mission and a disciplined approach to evidence generation, the firm is helping build a future where better data leads to better decisions – and better healthcare for all.
“Better real-world evidence builds better healthcare,” says Charles. “And we are proud to help make that future possible.”
“Healthcare innovation is only as strong as the evidence that supports it.”
– Charles Ruetsch – President & CEO at Health Analytics –
