Mathematica Presents on Health Equity, COVID-19, and Other Topics at the APHA Annual Meeting and Expo

Mathematica is committed to advancing public health through partnering with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and mission-driven organizations by applying and sharing our expertise across a variety of disciplines. Our researchers will present evidence and best practices from projects focused on health equity, COVID-19, and other public health topics at the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo in Boston, Massachusetts from November 6 through November 9, 2022. The presentations will span a variety of timely topics.

“At this year’s APHA’s Annual Meeting and Expo, we look forward to contributing to the public health discussion by presenting evidence and insights from our growing health equity portfolio,” said Deliya Wesley, senior director of health equity. “Our presentations cover a diverse range of projects highlighting our growing health equity capabilities across topic areas and methods including in our research and evaluation, survey, strategy, and analytics work. We look forward to sharing this work and continuing to be a trusted and authentic partner for diverse public and private clients.”

Health equity and social determinants of health

A presentation based on our project for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation describes the development of a survey instrument to measure attitudes of state and community leaders on health equity and social determinants of health. The presentation will describe the instrument constructs and our psychometric analysis. Presenter Emily Hoe won the APHA Community Health Planning and Policy Development Best Masters Level Abstract Award for this work. A companion presentation presents findings from the baseline survey. An additional presentation on Mathematica’s support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Accountable Health Communities model shares lessons learned about equitable community engagement.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and health inequities persist, Mathematica experts will share evidence and findings on 19 & Me, a risk calculator for COVID-19 in the United States, and lessons learned from CommuniVax, a research-to-action coalition for COVID-19 vaccination equity.

Methods expertise and additional public health topics

Among additional topics addressed, experts discuss police accountability policies and their influences on reducing fatal police shootings. Another presentation examines approaches for identifying private wells susceptible to perfluoroalkyl substances contamination that prioritize monitoring initiatives. In the area of health administration, a presentation addresses the lack of transparency and confusion on federal and state community benefit definitions and requirements policies at nonprofit hospitals.