Research

From Our Research Director:

“Research is the foundation of our mission to end health disparities and advance equity in communities nationwide. I invite you to explore our work and see how you can contribute to this mission.”

Research Committees

NAEHD has established a dedicated research committee for each strategic priority, supporting our mission through focused inquiry and collaborative insight.

Participation is reserved for dues-paying members at the Associate level or higher.

Join NAEHD as a Member!

Our Strategic Priorities

Driving Change in Five Key Areas

Identifying Barriers & Improving Access

Our aim is to dismantle barriers to health equity and expand access to high-quality care. We strive to ensure everyone receives the support needed to live a healthy life.

Improving Maternal Health Outcomes

Black women face maternal mortality rates nearly three times higher than white women. We aim to bridge this gap through targeted, equity-driven strategies and advocacy.

Focusing on Chronic Disease, Rare Disease, & Preventive Care

NAEHD aims to eliminate health disparities in chronic and rare disease care by advancing research, expanding education, and increasing access to effective treatment.

Expanding Counseling & Mental Health Services

NAEHD aims to expand access to mental health services while reducing stigmas and providing free resources to impacted communities.

Assisting the Under & Uninsured

NAEHD vows to support the underinsured and uninsured by helping individuals access affordable care, coverage options, and essential health services in their communities.

Check out our research & publications

Research Spotlight: Evidence Driving Equity

NEW (May 2026)

Black Michiganders face wide health disparities

A new national study shows that Black Michiganders continue to experience massive health care disparities, and researchers warn that recent federal policy shifts are likely to widen these racial health gaps.

New report shows some health equity wins. Experts fear they will be short-lived (May 2026)

A new Commonwealth Fund report finds that racial and ethnic health disparities remain severe across the United States, and experts warn that recent federal policy changes could undermine the fragile progress states have made

(April 2026)

From misdiagnosis to medical bias: Why women are living longer but not better

Women are living longer but continue to experience poorer health because their pain is often dismissed, their symptoms are misread, and their conditions are diagnosed too late, reflecting a medical system built without women in mind. The article shows that despite progress in maternal health and reproductive care, persistent medical bias, outdated diagnostic tools, and unequal access to quality care continue to undermine women’s health and quality of life.

From constraint to catalyst: innovation in rare disease clinical development (April 2026)

The article explains how rare disease clinical development is shifting from a landscape defined by small populations and limited data to one that uses these constraints to drive innovation in trial design, patient engagement and regulatory collaboration. It highlights emerging approaches that make research more efficient and patient centered, positioning rare disease development as a catalyst for broader change in clinical research.

(March 2026)

Racial Disparities Persist in Lung Cancer Treatment, Study Finds

A long-term study of Medicare patients found that Black individuals with early-stage lung cancer remain significantly less likely than white patients to receive curative treatments like surgery or radiation, a disparity that has seen little improvement over the last 15 years. Researchers noted that while overall treatment rates have risen, the gap is primarily driven by lower rates of surgical intervention for Black patients, even after accounting for other health and demographic factors.

Dermatology experts highlight climate risks and healthcare access gaps

Research at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology meeting identified climate change as a threat multiplier that worsens inflammatory skin conditions in marginalized communities. The study emphasized that urban heat islands and a total lack of dermatologists in many minority-majority counties are primary drivers of these widening health equity gaps.

Medical Debt Associated With Deferring Dental, Medical, and Mental Health Care

This research report from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that adults with medical debt were significantly more likely to delay or forgo dental, medical, and mental health care. The study highlights medical debt as a major barrier to accessing essential services, underscoring its role as a driver of worsening health outcomes.

UConn Health Disparities Institute Leads the Way: Making Moves for Menopause Equity

The University of Connecticut Health Disparities Institute is launching a statewide initiative to advance menopause equity, focusing on improving access to evidence‑based information, culturally responsive care, and community‑centered support for women experiencing menopause. The effort aims to reduce disparities by ensuring that women, especially those from marginalized communities, receive the education, resources, and clinical guidance needed to navigate menopause with dignity and better health outcomes.