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! (September 2026)

Research Foundation Launch Rare Research Launchpad to Introduce Students to Careers in Rare Disease Research

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and the Rosenau Family Research Foundation have launched Rare Research Launchpad, a free, self-paced online career exploration series hosted on NORD’s RareEDU platform. Designed for students and early-career trainees, the series uses case studies like cystic fibrosis and Krabbe disease to introduce participants to rare disease research fundamentals, drug discovery pathways, and potential scientific careers.

LandMark Global Study Reveals Critical Inequities in Access to Dermatological Care

Published in JAMA Dermatology by the Global Access to Skin Health Observatory, this landmark cross-sectional study evaluated workforce density across 158 countries and revealed that only 17% of nations meet the estimated threshold of 5.63 dermatologists per 100,000 people required for adequate care. The study highlights severe structural inequities—with high-income countries averaging 5.05 dermatologists per 100,000 compared to just 0.37 in low-income nations—while urban concentration (up to 91% in low-income regions) creates vast “dermatological deserts” that shift primary diagnostic burdens onto non-specialist health workers.

(August 2026)

$16.9M NIH Award to Launch New Health Disparities Research Center at N.C. A&T

North Carolina A&T received a $16.9 million NIH award to establish a Research Centers in Minority Institutions center focused on brain health and community engaged research to reduce health disparities.

March of Dimes report reveals persistent gaps in maternity care access

More than one-third of U.S. counties remain maternity care deserts with no birthing facilities or obstetric clinicians, forcing millions of women to travel significantly farther for essential pregnancy and delivery care amid widespread hospital unit closures.

(July 2026)

Termination of AHRQ grants is the latest assault on health equity and the rule of law

AHRQ terminated dozens of grants across multiple programs, including projects focused on chronic disease, maternal health, and health equity. The agency said the terminations were part of a broader shift in priorities under the Trump administration.

Cancer disparities researchers say federal funding changes have disrupted their work

Cancer researchers say grant disruptions are widening gaps in cancer disparities work, with some projects paused or at risk because of funding instability. Scientists warn that interruptions in federal support could slow progress for communities already facing unequal cancer outcomes.

(June 2026)

Health equity researchers fear unseen level of scrutiny under White House proposal

The White House proposal to overhaul how the government awards grants includes a section that health disparities researchers say could disqualify much of their work from federal funding. The proposed regulation would prohibit the use of federal funds to “promote or support theories of disparate‑impact liability,” which researchers warn could undermine efforts to understand distributions of exposures, health outcomes, and the causes of these patterns..

Massive study links teen marijuana use to double the risk of serious mental illness

A huge new study of 463,396 adolescents found that teen cannabis use may double the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders by young adulthood. Researchers reported that cannabis use often came nearly two years before diagnosis, raising concerns about long‑term effects on developing brains and worsening disparities in mental health outcomes.