University of New Haven Researchers Focus on Advancing Health Equity

A research collaboration between graduate students in the University of New Haven’s health sciences programs and professor Pavani Rangachari, Ph.D. has resulted in a two-part published article series examining hospital-led initiatives to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in the U.S. Funded in part by a 2023 University of New Haven Summer Research Grant, the study explores how hospitals integrate SDOH data into care delivery, utilize electronic health records (EHRs), and balance individual- and system-level approaches to improve health outcomes.

Part 1, published in Frontiers in Public Health in June 2024, characterizes these initiatives, while Part 2, recently published in BMC Health Services Research, evaluates their effectiveness using two conceptual frameworks. Key findings reveal that only 24% of hospitals integrated EHRs for SDOH data collection. Those that did showed better adherence to evidence-based practices. Most initiatives remained downstream, focusing on short-term social needs rather than systemic change. The study highlights pathways for hospitals to advance health equity, including policy advocacy, community partnerships, and direct investments in social infrastructure.

A key contributor to Part 2 of the study was Alisha Thapa ’24 MPH, who made an inspiring transition from graduate student to active research collaborator and second author on the publication. Her journey exemplifies the transformative impact of faculty-student collaboration in producing meaningful public health research. Below she shares how this work shaped her career aspirations and fueled her passion for public health solutions.

Publishing Part 2 of our research on hospital and health system initiatives to address SDOH is a huge milestone in my journey as a public health professional. Part 1 was already an incredible experience working with fellow MPH and MHA students under Dr. Rangachari’s guidance to explore what hospitals were doing to tackle SDOH. That experience greatly helped me strengthen my skills in research, teamwork, and critical analysis. Part 2, though, took things to a whole new level. Post-graduation, collaborating with my supervisor in a two-person research team allowed me to take on a more focused role digging deeper into the impact of those initiatives, which involved a lot more independent analysis and evidence interpretation.

This research has shaped how I approach my role as a SNAP-Ed nutritionist. It has helped me design more targeted education interventions that consider structural barriers to healthy eating. I now think more critically about how policy, healthcare access, and socioeconomic factors influence nutritional behaviors. Whether it’s working with community partners, tailoring educational materials, or engaging with diverse audiences, I bring an evidence-based mindset to my work, ensuring that interventions are both practical and impactful.

Beyond my current role, the experience and insights from this study have reinforced my passion for research-driven public health solutions. I look forward to using these insights to make a meaningful impact in the communities I serve.

Part 1 of the study was conducted in collaboration with five graduate students, each of whom shared their experiences working on the project: https://www.newhaven.edu/news/blog/2024/first-person-research-with-ynhh.php.

Since its publication, Part 1 has been cited in two influential journals, Health Services Research and Advances in Human Biology, and presented at the local (University of New Haven), regional (Connecticut Public Health Association), and national (American Public Health Association) levels.

Following the APHA presentation, I was invited to serve as an Expert Advisory Board member for Transcendental Endeavors (Aqueduct), a California-based digital health equity technology company working to enhance hospitals' capacity to address SDOH. This initiative is actively pursuing National Institute of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding to support its goals of developing innovative solutions that integrate SDOH into hospital care delivery.

Building on these efforts, findings from Part 2 will be leveraged to develop a foundational framework for Learning Healthcare Systems to advance health equity. Additionally, results will soon be presented to a key stakeholder group within APHA, the Medical Care Section’s Health Equity Committee, to further discussions on integrating SDOH strategies within healthcare systems.

This two-part article series represents the first-ever systematic review of hospital and health system efforts to address SDOH in the United States. Situated at the intersection of health services research and public health, this work lays the foundation for future research, scholarship, and grant opportunities aimed at strengthening SDOH-EHR integration, designing balanced intervention strategies, and leveraging strategic starting points to transition from targeted interventions to broader systemic solutions. Ultimately, these insights contribute to evidence-based strategies for advancing whole-person care at the individual level and health equity at the community level.