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Research Publications

AREAS OF RESEARCH

Structural and Social Determinants of Health

My work on racism in healthcare explores the impact of systemic racism on access to healthcare and health outcomes. Our research on social determinants of health investigates the impact of social and economic factors on health outcomes. 

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Community Collaboration 

My work seeks to understand 

how communities can have public health impact including collaboration with researchers.

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Human Social Genomics

Our research on genetics and health explores the effect of the interplay between environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors on health outcomes. 

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Still Separate, Still Not Equal:
An ecological examination of redlining and racial segregation with COVID-19 vaccination administration in Washington D.C. 

Racial residential segregation has been deemed a fundamental cause of health inequities. It is the result of historical and contemporary policies such as redlining that have created a geographic separation of races and corresponds with inequitable distribution of health promoting resources.  Redlining and racial residential segregation may have contributed to racial inequities in COVID-19 vaccine implementation in the early stages of public accessibility.

An ecological study of the association between neighborhood racial and economic residential segregation with COVID-19 vulnerability in the United States’ capital city

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on American life. However, the burden of the pandemic has not been distributed equally. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether racial and economic residential segregation were associated with COVID-19 related factors in the nation's capital, Washington D.C., during the first year of the pandemic.

A Blueprint for Promoting Equitable Health and Health Care through Community-Led initiatives

In this blueprint, we present real world examples of how community-led efforts can bring about equitable health outcomes. We highlight commonalities in approach, structure, and needs among community organizations.

Expression of socially sensitive genes: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Gene expression may be an important biological mediator in associations between social factors and health. However, previous studies were limited by small sample sizes and use of differing cell types with heterogeneous expression patterns. We use a large population-based cohort with gene expression measured solely in monocytes to investigate associations between seven social factors and expression of genes previously found to be sensitive to social factors.

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