» The Study of Population Health

Black and white picture of street and car. Photo: © Zed NelsonTo what extent do individual, family, and neighborhood characteristics influence disparate health outcomes? What are the sources of disparate health outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities and those of lower socioeconomic status? These are some of the questions that drive The Earl Babbie Research Center’s Division for the Study of Population Health at Chapman University.

Our researchers are concerned with the role of familial, social, economic, and environmental contexts that lead to disparate health outcomes. Specifically, we investigate: 1) whether multifaceted determinants of risk persist after considering the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals and the neighborhoods in which they live; 2) whether the risks posed by social and environmental conditions are modified by population characteristics; and 3) the causes and consequences of neighborhood population characteristics on health risks and disparities. Our work appears in high-impact journals, is broadcast on several media outlets, and informs public health policy.

(Above Photo: © Zed Nelson)


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