Research
Research Overview
The Division of Public Health faculty engages in research across several areas, including epidemiology, environmental public health, reproductive health, global health, and workforce excellence.
Our work emphasizes knowledge production through use-inspired research and innovation. We focus on identifying the causes and risk factors of diseases, developing effective prevention methods, and enhancing health services. Additionally, we aim to advance public health and improve health service delivery.
Faculty Research Labs
Current Research Grants
Effects of a Behavioral Sleep Extension Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Patients with Elevated BP/Hypertension
Sponsor: National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Dates: 09/25/2020 - 06/30/2025
Project Description: One in two adults in the U.S. have at least one cardiometabolic disease (CMD) including hypertension, heart disease diabetes or stroke. Despite links between short sleep duration and cardiometabolic health, few studies have sought to improve CMD risk by extending sleep. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a behavioral sleep extension intervention on sleep and CMD risk factors among patients with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. Successful completion of this study will advance the possibility of increasing sleep duration for improving cardiometabolic health.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Subsequent Risk of Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or Related Dementia: A Retrospective Cohort Study Taking into Account Mid-Life Mediating Factors
Sponsor: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Dates: 09/01/2020 - 04/30/2025
Project Description: Women have a two-fold higher lifetime risk for Alzheimer Disease (AD), vascular dementia, and related dementias (RD) compared to men. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, and gestational hypertension, may contribute to sex differences in ADRD, with midlife experiences such as depression influencing the magnitude of risk. We propose to 1) create a model that can identify AD and related dementias in a large health administrative database; and 2) test the link (and mediating factors) between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and ADRD, which will serve as the first step towards creating women’s tailored intervention that can mitigate ADRD risk for women.