Find an Expert

Find experts in health policy, data, and more.

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research conducts research and provides insight and data to a wide range of public and private health organizations, policymakers, community advocates, partners, and media.

Featured expert

Ninez Ponce

Center Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Ninez A. Ponce, PhD, MPP, is director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Professor and Wasserman Endowed Chair in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She leads the California Health Interview Survey and champions better data on communities of color, better care for overlooked groups, and more.

Ninez Ponce

Susan Babey

Director of Research

Susan H. Babey, PhD, is the director of research, director of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program, and a senior research scientist at UCLA CHPR. She focuses on the prevention of chronic health conditions and social and environmental determinants of health.

Susan Babey

Nadereh Pourat

Director, Health Economics and Evaluation Research Program, and Associate Center Director

Nadereh Pourat, PhD, is associate center director at UCLA CHPR, director of the Health Economics and Evaluation Research Program, and a professor at UCLA FSPH. She is an evaluations expert of national, state, and local health programs.

Nadereh Pourat

Kathryn Kietzman

Director, Health Equity Program, and Associate Center Director

Kathryn G. Kietzman, PhD, MSW, is the director of the Health Equity Program and senior research scientist at UCLA CHPR and a UCLA FSPH associate researcher. She studies long-term health and social care needs of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on public programs.

Kathryn Kietzman

Access to Care

Various research projects focus on access to affordable, quality health care and identify gaps in access among marginalized communities.

Aging and Older Adult Health

Research and analysis on the health challenges and barriers facing California’s diverse older adult population.

American Indian and Alaska Native Health

American Indians and Alaska Natives are underrepresented and often invisible in public health data/research. CHIS collects data on the state's AIAN community.

Asian American Health

Asian Americans are often grouped together in existing research, and research studies show substantial health disparities within specific ethnic subgroups.

Asthma

Chronic Disease Program staff collect, analyze, and disseminate data about this chronic condition, which includes studying geographic and environmental factors.

Black and African American Health

Center staff conduct research on health disparities among the Black and African American community.

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)

The nation's largest state health survey and a critical source of data on Californians as well as on the state's various racial and ethnic groups.

Cancer

Researchers exam racial/ethnic disparities in screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate and other types of cancer and among a range of populations.

Children's and Adolescent Health

Find studies on the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of children from infancy to adolescence.

Chronic Diseases

The Chronic Disease Program staff studies diabetes, cancer, asthma, and heart disease and the social and environmental factors contributing to these conditions.

Cost of Care

Researchers study direct and indirect costs associated with care — both for the individual and state.

Cost-Effectiveness Studies

Researchers compare cost and effectiveness of alternative interventions to determine if one alternative is better than the status quo.

Culture and Health

Researchers examine how race/ethnicity and culture play a factor in health care, including higher associated rates of disease among some communities.

Data Disaggregation

Researchers study the breaking down of racial/ethnic groups, such as Latinx, into smaller subpopulations to identify patterns and trends.

Data Equity

Health equity isn't achievable without data equity. The Data Equity Center focuses on equity in all aspects of the design, collection, production, and dissemination of population health data.

Diabetes

Researchers examine the prevalence, management, and impact of this chronic disease in California and nationally.

Diet/Nutrition

Chronic Disease Program staff conduct research that promotes healthy living that prevents chronic disease development, such as physical activity and diet.

Disease Management

Researchers study integrated approaches to managing illness, including screenings, check-ups, monitoring and coordinating treatment, and patient education.

Environmental Health

Research aimed at identifying environmental characteristics linked with a variety of health outcomes such as obesity, asthma, and more.

Food Insecurity

Having limited or inconsistent access to the food necessary for a healthy life can lead to harmful outcomes for children and adults.

GIS Analysis Mapping

Studies that use a geographic information system (GIS), a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data.

Global Health

Research that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide.

Health Care Reform

Researchers study aspects of the health care delivery system including health care reform and the ACA, health insurance coverage, quality of care, and more.

Health Care Workforce

Studies on the people who deliver or assist in the delivery of health services or help operate health care facilities.

Health Disparities

Differences in the quality of health, health care, and health outcomes that groups experience based on social, racial, ethnic, economic, and other factors.

Health Insurance

Researchers study health insurance coverage in the state with particular attention to health and health care disparities resulting from lack of insurance.

HIV/AIDS

Staff publish research on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), focusing on screening/testing and prevention.

Immigration and Immigrant Health

Research, such as the RIGHTS Study, focuses on understanding immigrants, their access to health care, and use of health services.

Latino/a/x Health

Research on the Latino/a/x community, including common health issues, health insurance, access, and utilization.

LGBTQ Health

Researchers study health disparities and issues experienced by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, is a public health coverage program for low-income individuals/families who meet defined eligibility requirements.

Medicaid

Researchers study enrollment, expansion, and quality of care for people enrolled in this public state/federal health coverage program for low-income earners.

Medicare

Research on the federal health insurance program which provides health care services for people 65 years and older and younger people with disabilities.

Mental Health

Research on mental health, which encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health

Disaggregating data is key to helping the often overlooked Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. The NHPI Data Policy Lab aims to close data gaps.

Obesity

Chronic Disease Program staff examine the prevalence of, and disparities in, obesity as well as social and environmental factors that contribute to obesity.

Oral Health

Studies on the benefits of establishing good oral hygiene and practices in order to achieve and maintain overall physical and emotional well-being for life.

Outcomes Research

UCLA CHPR staff seek to understand the end results of specific health care practices and interventions to develop better ways to improve quality of care.

Payment Reform

Payment and delivery reform efforts focus on methods that reflect or support provider performance and are designed to reduce unnecessary spending.

Physical Activity

Research focused on the role of neighborhood characteristics (like parks) and other factors in promoting or inhibiting physical activity.

Prevention/Screening

Studies on health services, like screenings, check-ups, and counseling, to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems.

Program Evaluation

The Health Economics and Evaluation Research (HEER) Program conducts evaluations of local, state, and national health care programs and interventions.

Providers

Those who provide health care services in primary, nursing or specialty care, including physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists and social workers.

Quality of Care

Researchers focus on ways to improve upon existing health care services and health outcomes for individuals and populations.

SCHIP

Studies on SCHIP, State Children's Health Insurance Program, a federal and state government partnership to provide health coverage to uninsured children.

Small Area Estimation

Research on statistical models linking national or state survey outcome variables to local area predictors so that small area prevalence rates can be predicted.

Smoking and Smoke-free Environments

Staff work on research and projects to understand rates of smoking among adults and teens, secondhand smoke exposure, and health effects.

Social Determinants of Health

Researchers study conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play, including socioeconomic status, environment, access to health care, and more.

Survey Statistics

Researchers use surveys, like CHIS, to collect data from a sample population and estimate its characteristics through statistical methodology.

Uninsured

Researchers examine health insurance coverage in the state, with particular attention to health and health care disparities resulting from lack of insurance.

Women's Health

Researchers study women in California and their unique health care challenges and health concerns with a specific focus on immigrant and older women’s health.

Worker's Compensation

Studies on this form of employer insurance coverage that pays benefits to workers who suffer injury or illness as a direct result of their job.