Blendon also co-directed a survey project for the Minneapolis Star Tribune on health care that received the National Press Club’s 1998 Award for Consumer Journalism.
He also co-directed a project for National Public Radio and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation on American attitudes toward domestic policy.
In addition, he has served as a senior faculty member for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Governors' Association, and the U.S. Congress Committee on Ways and Means.
In 2008, he was also the recipient of the Warren J. Mitofsky Award for Excellence in Public Opinion Research given by the Roper Center.
Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, and now they live in Boca Raton, Florida.