Our Expertise

Scientists estimate that the social determinants of health account for ~30% of chronic disease incidence. Multilevel (e.g., individual, interpersonal, community, & societal) and multidomain (e.g., biological, behavioral, physical/built environment, sociocultural environment, & healthcare system) factors converge to influence systematic differences in the morbidity and mortality of infectious and chronic diseases. Specifically, these are the economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to disease and early death among some segments of our society, creating significant and unjust health inequities between groups. 

The HEALTH Research Institute has a wealth of expertise that addresses the social determinants of population health (e.g., built environment, cultural practices, discrimination, food deserts, GIS/GPS, medical deserts, minority health, racism, etc.) that affect infectious and chronic diseases (e.g., asthma, cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, obesity, pain, tuberculosis, etc.)