The Center for Health Equity Transformation has collected information from Northwestern faculty to highlight the depth and breadth of their health equity-related work, programming, and research. This "Health Equity Footprint" is an online catalog intended to raise visibility and collaboration among Northwestern scholars, trainees, students, community members, and other interested stakeholders to help catalyze further work that lifts health for all. This catalog may also help students, trainees, and researchers identify potential mentors and collaborators with shared experiences or research interests.
If you are interested in being added to the Health Equity Footprint, please take 10-15 minutes to complete this survey. If you have already opted in but would like to modify your information or if you have any questions, please email Araceli Estrada at araceli.estrada@northwestern.edu.
Examples of relevant work for each Research Area
- Economic Stability (e.g., employment, food security, housing instability, poverty, job opportunities, necessary resources)
- Education (e.g., enrollment in higher education, language and literacy, high school education, early childhood education and development, quality of education and job training)
- Social and Community Context (e.g., civic participation, incarceration, support and norms, culture)
- Health and Health Care (e.g., health literacy, access to primary care, access to health care)
- Neighborhood and Built Environment (e.g., crime/violence, access to healthy foods, housing quality, environmental conditions, natural and built environment)
- Racism and Discrimination (e.g., how these social dynamics factor into any of the above topics)
Research Areas
Research Topics
Racial discrimination and health; racial discrimination and cognition; racial discrimination and cortisol, racial discrimination and sleep; the role of ethnic identity
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
Research Areas
Research Topics
gut microbiome; nutrition and metabolism
Populations Researched
Identities
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Sleep disturbances in low income and particularly immigrant/refugee groups and impact on quality of life
Populations Researched
- Immigrants
- Refugee
Identities
- Immigrant
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Clinical Quality/Equity
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- People with disabilities
- Women
- Men
- Seniors
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
- Sexual and Gender Minority Health
- Social Determinants of Health
- Noncommunicable Chronic Conditions
- HIV
- Community Engaged Research
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Seniors
Identities
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
- From a rural community
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
- Promoting transdisciplinary research collaborations
- Developing and fostering methods for the capture, integration, and analysis of rich social data
- Developing deeper theoretical understandings of stigma and the systemic production of health disparities
- Bias in big data
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- Men
Identities
- Latinx
Research Areas
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Racism and Discrimination
- Community engagement in research
Research Topics
Community-engaged research, racial equity in research engagement
Populations Researched
- Chicagoland
Identities
- European American
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
Research Areas
Research Topics
disparities in mental illness and treatment; mindfulness-based interventions; integrated care
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Women
Identities
- Black/African American
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Health communication
- Health services research
- Medical education
- Infectious diseases, general internal medicine
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Seniors
Identities
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Sleep; Psychological distress; Physical activity; cognitive function; Cardiovascular disease
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Women
- Seniors
Identities
- Black/African American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Use of spatial analysis to help assess social determinants of health.
Populations Researched
- Seniors
- Persons with joint symptoms at worksites
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
- Ally for all
P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale
- School of Education & Social Policy
- Institute for Policy Research
Research Areas
Research Topics
Two-generation education programs; early childhood education; child and youth development; workforce training for low-income young adults; parent-child relationships; social disparities in health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
psychosocial functioning in trans/gender diverse youth; fertility and reproductive health in trans/gender diverse adolescents and young adults; medical decision-making/shared decision-making
Populations Researched
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Socioeconomic status
- Children's health
- Psychosocial resilience
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
Adolescent sexual health; school health promotion; public health workforce development; program evaluation
Populations Researched
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
Health Services Research; Social Epidemiology
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Seniors
Identities
- European American
- First-generation college student
Research Areas
Research Topics
bisexuality; health disparities; prejudice and discrimination; mental health; sexual health
Populations Researched
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
Research Areas
Research Topics
Economic stability
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Black/African American
- People with disabilities
- Men
- Women
Identities
- Mexican American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Interested in increasing access to evidence-based mental health interventions for refugee/immigrant children and adolescents
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Immigrants
- Refugee
Identities
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Quality of life; Cancer survivorship; Coping with chronic illness; Patient-reported outcomes; Symptom management
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
Research Areas
Research Topics
1. Linkage to health care for persons affected by HIV and HCV 2. Access to Health-community partnerships for improved health care access and outcomes in global settings
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- Women
- Men
Identities
- First-generation college student
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
symptom management; health information technology; patient-reported outcomes; cancer survivorship; health care service evaluations
Populations Researched
- Women
- cancer
Identities
- Latinx
- Immigrant
- Ally for all
Jaline Gerardin
- McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
Research Topics
malaria
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities
Research Areas
Research Topics
Informed Consent; Treatment Decision Making; Culturally Targeted Care; Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- People with disabilities
Identities
- European American
- Religious minority
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Health Disparities; Patient-Reported Outcomes; Community-Engaged Research; LGBT Health; HIV Prevention
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
Identities
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
- From a low-income background
- From a rural community
Research Areas
Research Topics
health literacy;mental health;psychotherapy;individualized healthcare
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
- Seniors
Identities
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
health literacy; health information technology; patient-reported outcomes
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Immigrants
Research Areas
- Health and Health Care
- quality and disparities, social determinants of health
Research Topics
Disparities in quality Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in low and middle income settings Social determinants of health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities
- low and middle income settings
Identities
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Environmental determinants of health; Health benefits of nature; green infrastructure; nature conservation; environmental education
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
Research Areas
Research Topics
Disparities in access to neonatal circumcision; Intersex/DSD care; Pediatric Urology
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- Black/African American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Access to transhealth care; Effect of social determinants of health on gender-affirming surgical outcomes
Populations Researched
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Women
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
STEM Education
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Asian/Asian American
- Low-income
- First-generation college students
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- European American
- From a rural community
Research Areas
Research Topics
Contribution of time to health inequities (https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304766); Civic participation; housing and health (access, quality, and instability)
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
Identities
- Black/African American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Heart failure; hypertension; heart disease; obesity
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Women
- Rural communities
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
- Immigrant
- South Asian
Research Areas
Research Topics
sleep as mediator of health disparities
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Women
- Men
- Seniors
Identities
- Ally for all
Research Areas
- Interpersonal Violence /Violence Against Women
Research Topics
Trauma Informed gynecology practice with post sexual assault care and for patients with sexual health issues; I train on providing Trauma Informed Care and am a Northwestern liaison for the Cook County Trauma Informed Hospital Collaborative.
Populations Researched
- Women
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Health care quality improvement
- Perinatal care
- Respectful care
- Implicit bias
- Health care education
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Asian/Asian American
- Low-income
- Women
- Children and adolescents
Marquita Lewis-Thames
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
Research Topics
Rural health, social determinants of health, cancer and chronic disease management, health disparities, health communication and health promotion
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Low-income
- Rural communities
Identities
- Black/African American
Research Areas
Research Topics
sexual health and wellbeing in sexual and gender minority adolescents; online research and technology-based interventions; use of internet/technologies by sexual and gender minority adolescents to connect with community, seek health information, facilitate relationships; ethical issues in LGBT adolescent health research
Populations Researched
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
- Health and Health Care
- Education
- Linguistic diversity
Research Topics
linguistic diversity; bilingualism, multilingualism, bidialectalism; clinical decision making across languages in bilingual; second language learning and development; linguistic and cultural diversity in clinical and educational settings
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Asian/Asian American
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
Cystic fibrosis, including clinical trials, health disparities, and outcomes of newborn screening; parent and youth engagement in research; transition from pediatric to adult health care. I lead clinical trials at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Children and adolescents
- people with chronic illness
Identities
- Ally for all
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
social determinants of health developmental origins of health and disease global health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
Cancer and Aging-related issues Violent neighborhoods and impact on the elderly. Dementia and Cancer HIV and cancer. Health policy and poverty among older populations.
Populations Researched
- ELDERLY
Sanjay Mehrotra
- McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
Research Topics
Geographic Equity in Healthcare; Distribution of Resources; Access to Care; Education;
Populations Researched
- All. Geographic Equity.
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
- Immigrant
- Ally for all
Gregory Miller
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Education & Social Policy
Research Areas
Research Topics
Childhood origins of health disparities Lung and heart disease Perinatal disparities Inflammation
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- First-generation college students
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities
Patricia Moreno
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
Cancer Survivorship; Health Disparities; Quality of Life; Patient-Reported Outcomes; Behavioral Medicine
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
Identities
- Latinx
- Immigrant
Research Areas
Research Topics
Non-pharmacological interventions for persons living with dementia and caregiving families; Illinois Cognitive Resources Network; Illinois Department of Public Health Alzheimer's disease Advisory Committee; Dementia Capable Chicago; Dementia Friendly Carter G Woodson Regional Chicago Public Library
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Asian/Asian American
- Seniors
- persons living with dementia; caregiving families
Identities
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
HIV/STI Prevention; Sex Education for Secondary Schools; Family Relationships & Dynamics
Populations Researched
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Men
Research Areas
Research Topics
stress and health
Populations Researched
- people experiencing stressful
Identities
- First-generation college student
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Sexual and Gender Minority Health; eHealth; HIV prevention; Adolescent Health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
Research Areas
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
Critical public health education Global health Education and training Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) Accreditation and assessment
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- First-generation college students
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- Women
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities
- school based personnel
Identities
- Latinx
- From a low-income background
- First-generation college student
- From a rural community
Research Areas
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
LGBTQ health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities
Identities
- European American
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
1. Research engagement by diverse populations 2. Medical legal partnerships to address social influencers of health (SIOH) 3. Increasing diverse public engagement on matters of public policy 4. SIOH education for interprofesional learners 5. Institutional approaches to health equity
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Asian/Asian American
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- Latinx
- Asian/Asian American
- European American
Research Areas
- patient reported outcomes
Research Topics
patient reported outcomes and health disparities
Populations Researched
- cancer
Christine Percheski
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Education & Social Policy
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Health insurance
- Health care access
- Fertility and pregnancy
Populations Researched
- Immigrants
- Women
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
National Collaborative for Education to Address the Social Determinants of Health
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Seniors
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
LGBT Health; HIV Prevention and Treatment; Intersectionality; Empowerment Evaluation; Community Engaged Research
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming
- From a rural community
Research Areas
Research Topics
healthcare communication (in the Latinx community); clinical and trial consent (Latinx); cultural competency; health literacy; intercultural communication
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Immigrants
Identities
- Latinx
Research Areas
Research Topics
economic instability; access to health care; hardship related to medical costs; racial and ethnic health disparities
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Seniors
- Rural communities
Identities
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
- gender based violence, injury
Research Topics
violence, marginalized populations,
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- People with disabilities
- Women
- Seniors
- Rural communities
Identities
- European American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Discrimination in Labor and Housing Markets Neighborhood Formation and Segregation
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Asian/Asian American
- Immigrants
Identities
- European American
Research Areas
Research Topics
LUPUS CONVERSATIONS is an Academic-Community partnership using social networks to increase lupus awareness, change healthcare norms, and increase participation in clinical trials. Our community-academic partnerships are expanding to address vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake in rheumatic diseases with our recently funded R01. An opportunity to work with us through a diversity supplement is available.
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
Identities
- European American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Enhanced Recovery Protocols; Quality Improvement; Pediatric Surgery; Implementation; Gastrointestinal Disease
Populations Researched
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
My research focuses on inequality and economic well-being, particularly for Native American Populations. I am also director of the COVID-19 Social Change Lab which studies U.S. public opinions, behaviors, and attitudes related to the COVID-19 pandemic (https://coronadata.us/).
Populations Researched
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Seniors
- Rural communities
- National
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Low socioeconomic status
- Women's health
- Social context of health
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Women
- Past work in pregnancy has included consideration of disparities affecting health in Latinx and African American/Black communities
Identities
- European American
- First-generation college student
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Access to cancer preventive services (screening for melanoma) in rural communities; Indoor tanning among gay men (a risk to develop melanoma)
Populations Researched
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Rural communities
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Cancer communication
- Genetics
- Health communication
- Message design
- Uncertainty and risk
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Women
- Men
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
youth development; injury and violence prevention
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Children and adolescents
- Focus on youth from areas of low opportunity which may include all race/ethnicity/gender
Michelle Shumate
- School of Communication
- The Graduate School
- Institute for Policy Research
Research Areas
Research Topics
- Social determinants of health
- Culturally competent care
Populations Researched
- Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Families
Identities
- From a low-income background
- Ally for all
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
See CNAIR's web page for Affiliated faculty research topics
Populations Researched
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Identities
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Religious minority
- From a low-income background
- First-generation college student
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
implementation research for health equity
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Children and adolescents
Research Areas
Research Topics
Implicit Bias Awareness; Healing Babies without Bias; Health Equity;
Populations Researched
- Children and adolescents
- Medical professionals
Identities
- Black/African American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
Two-generation education programs; early childhood education; public policy; justice-involved families; immigrant families
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Asian/Asian American
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Juliet Sorensen
- Pritzker School of Law
- Kellogg School of Management
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
human rights global health, human rights, and development
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- People with disabilities
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Seniors
- Rural communities
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
Demography; Mortality; Computational Social Science; Health Disparities
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
Identities
- Black/African American
Yacob Tedla
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
Research Topics
Hypertension; Cardiovascular diseases; Arterial stiffness
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Women
- Men
Linda Teplin
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Education & Social Policy
- The Graduate School
- Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Areas
- Economic Stability
- Education
- Social and Community Context
- Health and Health Care
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Racism and Discrimination
Research Topics
disproportionate incarceration of racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S., and its consequences on life course achievements.
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
Identities
- European American
Research Areas
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Low-income
- People with disabilities
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Seniors
Identities
- European American
Research Areas
Research Topics
Child development disparities; language development in immigrant and bilingual children
Populations Researched
- Latinx
- Low-income
- Immigrants
Research Areas
Research Topics
I am conducting a longitudinal study examining gender and racial/ethnic diversity in biomedical research careers.
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Asian/Asian American
- LGBTQ+/Non-gender conforming people
- Low-income
- First-generation college students
- Immigrants
- Women
- Men
Research Areas
Research Topics
social/structural determinants of health
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Women
- People with disabilities
Research Areas
Research Topics
Health equity and health services research in obstetrics; health behavior and patient education; diabetes during pregnancy; postpartum and interconception care; perinatal HIV and other infectious diseases
Populations Researched
- Black/African American
- Latinx
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Asian/Asian American
- Low-income
- Immigrants
- Refugee
- Women
- Pregnant and postpartum
Identities
- Asian/Asian American
- European American
- Ally for all
Research Areas
Research Topics
food insecurity; water insecurity; infant and young child feeding
Populations Researched
- Low-income
- Women
- Men
- Children and adolescents
- Rural communities