A Look at School of Public Health Research

A hub of innovative public health research

The UT School of Public Health San Antonio is a vibrant center for groundbreaking research addressing pressing public health challenges. The diverse portfolio of studies leverages cutting-edge technologies, community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations to improve the health and well-being of populations locally and globally.

Addressing Diverse Health Issues

Research at the School of Public Health covers a wide range of critical areas. For example, the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, located within the school, uses advanced technologies like ultrasound and arterial stiffness measurements to study how diabetes and obesity affect cardiovascular health and related organ damage to the brain, liver and kidneys.

In the realm of environmental health, the Community Action Research for Air Equity (CARE) Program is pioneering innovative approaches to monitor and improve air quality in pollution-burdened communities. By utilizing electric buses equipped with real-time air quality monitors and working closely with community members as citizen-scientists, the program delivers precise, cost-effective data and empowers communities to take ownership of their environmental health.

Further environmental health research from Leanne Fawkes, DrPH, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, looks at the health risks of residential pollution in underserved areas, utilizing participatory research and geospatial analysis to assess the presence of contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides and to develop solutions for mitigation.

The school is also actively involved in research regarding substance use and behavioral health. A study by Tae Joon Moon, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, on the effectiveness of transdermal alcohol monitoring for reducing heavy drinking among drivers demonstrates the potential of technological interventions to address alcohol-impaired driving, a major public health concern. Additionally, Tracey Barnett, PhD, chair and associate professor of the Department of Quantitative and Qualitative Health Sciences, conducts research focusing on improving the treatment of substance use disorders in individuals with developmental disabilities, addressing a significant gap in clinical practice and training.

Michael Halpern, MD, professor in and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Administration, focused on a range of studies examining cancer screening, treatment and survivorship. These included research using data from the National Cancer Institute’s Patterns of Care Study to assess how to improve patient-centered care by identifying patient- and hospital-level factors that affect whether individuals with kidney and bladder cancer receive integrated care services such as care coordination and supportive care.

Community-Engaged Research

The school is dedicated to improving lives by building trust and creating tangible change, one community at a time. The Bridging Innovative Research Methods to Community Health (BIRCH) project, co-led by Erika Thompson, PhD, exemplifies this commitment, partnering with community organizations to conduct impactful research that directly benefits the populations it serves.

Similarly, the Community Engagement for Building Capacity, Trust, and Ownership of Research (CONNECTOR) initiative, funded by the American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and led by School of Public Health Dean Vasan Ramachandran, MD, prioritizes community-driven research, fostering collaborations and resource sharing across multiple partner hubs. This focus on community involvement ensures that research is relevant, accessible and empowering for those most affected by health disparities.

Carmen Valdez, PhD, partners with communities in the Rio Grande Valley through coalition-building and youth citizen science to address environmental burdens faced by young people in colonias. Valdez co-leads the Frontline Community Partnerships for Climate Justice project, which has formed two research and public health coalitions: The Coalition on Youth, Health and the Environment and the Pharr Youth Eco Alliance.

Addressing Health Disparities

The research endeavors at the school advance health access by identifying and tackling the systemic barriers that impact the well-being of underserved populations, while striving to reduce gaps in health outcomes and empower communities to thrive. The Study of Domestic Cleaners in San Antonio, featuring research from David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, PhD, chair and professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, investigates the respiratory health risks faced by Hispanic housecleaners due to exposure to volatile organic compounds from cleaning agents. Furthermore, the Risk Underlying Rural Area Longitudinal (RURAL) Study, led by Vasan Ramachandran, MD, focuses on understanding and addressing the significant health disparities experienced by residents in rural Southern communities, utilizing a mobile examination unit to provide accessible health assessments. An international effort to understand Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology in Agricultural Communities, co-led by Marvin Gonzalez Quiroz, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, further highlights this global commitment.

Moon and Cristina Barroso, PhD, chair of the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society work with The Institute for Public Health, education and research forming communities in San Antonio and other local community organizations to assess the health needs and social drivers of health of their communities. They aim to develop sustainable, effective, community-wide interventions using community-based participatory research principles to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life for community members.

Improving Health Systems and Policies

The School of Public Health is also actively involved in research that aims to improve health systems and policies. The evaluation of the Justice Intake and Assessment Annex (JIAA) in Bexar County, led by Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, examines pathways for arrestees, mental health and substance abuse assessments and pretrial programs, proposing improvements to the system. Similarly, work by Erika Thompson, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Quantitative and Qualitative Health Sciences, disseminates an online decision tool for human papillomavirus vaccination that aims to improve cancer prevention through informed decision-making.

Gimeno Ruiz de Porras and Halpern collaborated to examine how workplace policies assist employees diagnosed with cancer. Many patients face financial strain from medical costs, which can affect their ability to afford necessities like food and housing. This research found that employer-provided health insurance or paid sick leave reduced workers’ financial stress, medical bill concerns and challenges affording healthy meals.

The school is a dynamic institution conducting cutting-edge research across a broad spectrum of public health issues. Its commitment to community engagement, interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative methodologies positions it as a leader in improving health outcomes for populations both locally and globally.

View the UT School of Public Health San Antonio’s research portfolio at uthscsa.edu/public-health/research-teams.