public health research

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends.

tthoma8 — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:53:40 +0000

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends. tthoma8 Mon, 08/26/2024 - 09:53

In This Story

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Beyond The Headlines: Balchem bolsters prenatal research, Ingredion reports strong Q2 results.

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Social Determinants of Health

public health research

interdisciplinary

cph in the media

In the Media

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:30:28 +0000

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates Mary Cunningham Mon, 08/05/2024 - 17:30

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It has been increasing among adults of all races and ethnicities over the last two decades; however, obesity is higher among Non-Hispanic Black adults, Hispanic adults, and American Indian or Alaska Native adults, than their White and Asian counterparts, according to the National Institutes of Health. Adults with lower income also have higher risk of obesity than those with a high income.

Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health

A George Mason University College of Public Health team of interprofessional researchers analyzed the last five years of literature to determine how social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact the risk of obesity, its treatment and treatment outcomes, and explored the implications for prevention and future treatment interventions.

“We found that social determinants of health, such as where someone lives, and social inequities are primary drivers of obesity disparities,” said Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health. “Many of these determinants can be modified through interventions to reduce obesity.”

Social determinants of health that affect obesity include where someone lives and their access to healthy food, access to health insurance and obesity health care, safe places to be physically active, and policies to promote health behavior.

Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies

“Population-based, equity-focused interventions that address the underlying causes of obesity disparities are needed to reduce these disparities and improve the health outcomes of minoritized and marginalized groups,” said Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies. “The good news is that there are successful examples of public health interventions that communities can support to reduce obesity.”

Successful examples include community-based interventions that focus on improving neighborhood conditions, discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, expanding access to obesity treatment, building safe green and play spaces, and ensuring equitable access to fruits and vegetables.

“Even with these known successful interventions, more work needs to be done to expand and broaden programs, activities, and initiatives at the local, state, and national level in the many communities that continue to be negatively impacted by social and structural determinants of health and social injustices,” said Williams. “Public health workers can’t achieve these changes alone; policy makers must include strategies and money for these strategies in their policies at all government levels.”

The researchers conducted a review of literature published within the last five years focused on the social and structural determinants of obesity among minoritized and marginalized adults in the United States.

“Social and Structural Determinants of Health and Social Injustices Contributing to Obesity Disparities” was published online in Current Obesity Reports in June 2024. Sheila J. McKinney from Jackson State University is a co-author on the paper.

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Obesity

Social Determinants of Health

Nutrition Faculty

public health faculty

public health research

GCH Research

Dr. Alison Evans Cuellar announced as Interim Associate Dean of Research at George Mason University College of Public Health

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:47:32 +0000

Dr. Alison Evans Cuellar announced as Interim Associate Dean of Research at George Mason University College of Public Health Mary Cunningham Wed, 03/15/2023 - 12:47

In This Story

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

The College of Public Health is pleased to announce Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA, will lead efforts to advance research initiatives as the Interim Associate Dean of Research. Dr. Cuellar has been a professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy since 2009, has served on prominent taskforces, and served as the College’s Interim Associate Dean of Research for the College in 2018-2019.

“Dr. Cuellar is a national leader on health policy research with an impressive portfolio of high-impact research and interprofessional leadership at the local and national levels. She is a natural choice to serve as Interim Associate Dean of Research,” said Dean of the College of Public Health Melissa Perry, Sc.D., MHS. “Her dedication, experience, and commitment to public health will enable Dr. Cuellar to thrive supporting research faculty throughout the pre-and post-award process and fostering internal and external collaborations. Under her guidance, the College’s research portfolio will continue to grow in service to Mason’s research goals.”

Dr. Cuellar has extensive research experience in health care systems, Medicaid, behavioral health, and justice-involved populations. Her scholarly work includes evaluating new organizational forms, such as hospital systems and physician alliances and their effects on quality, efficiency, costs, and prices. Currently, she is engaged in research related to Medicaid perinatal care, equity, and payment.

Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Institute of Justice, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and private foundations including National Institute for Health Care Management, Robert Wood Johnson, and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, among others.

Dr. Cuellar was recently appointed to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Youth through Health Care System Transformation committee. Additionally, Dr. Cuellar was appointed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Chair of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF), an independent, nonfederal panel of public health and prevention experts that provides recommendations and findings on programs, services, and other interventions to protect and improve population health.

Read Cuellar’s full bio here.

Holly Park, MBA, will continue as interim assistant dean of research as of March 25. The College thanks Park for her service during this transition.

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Public Health

CHHS Research

public health research

CHHS Faculty