Our Mission
The Research on Social Policy Outcomes & Observational Trends (ROOT) Lab reduces health disparities by integrating legal epidemiology with social and behavioral science research. Our team leverages large observational datasets and mixed-methods approaches to identify structural and social determinants of health that shape behavior and mental health outcomes, including for populations that have been adversely affected by policies, marketing, or industry interests.
Led by Dr. Teresa DeAtley, our mission is to translate evidence into policy and practice by building a robust feedback loop among research, policy, and program implementers to reduce disparities and improve population health.
Lab Goals: 2025-2028
- Establish bidirectional partnerships with clinicians, policymakers, advocates, interventionists, and implementation scientists to create a continuous feedback loop between research, policy, and practice.
- Develop national leadership in understanding how social and structural determinants shape health behaviors and tracking legislation that affects health and social safety.
- Train and mentor the next generation of public health and clinical scholars in health behavior theory, methods, and advocacy.
- Promote open science and gain feedback from community members throughout the research process.
Research Topics & Project Areas
Datasets & Tools
- Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH)
- Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Survey (SEER)
- National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
- University of Utah Electronic Health Record Data
- Suicide Mortality Risk Study
- Temple University’s LawAtlas
Methods
- Mixed-methods
- Longitudinal modeling
- Quasi-experimental policy evaluation