Julia Raifman

Julia Raifman, ScD, SM conducts research on health and social policy drivers of population health and health inequities. She is currently focused on health and social policies that can reduce the burden of COVID-19 and its consequences for mental health, food insecurity, and housing instability. She developed the COVID-19 US State Policy Database (www.tinyurl.com/statepolicies) to track changes in state health and social policies with a focus on those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and its consequences. Examples of her prior research include analyses of the relationship between LGBT rights and mental health, of the association between state firearm policies and suicide, and of how structural inequities have created racial and ethnic disparities in risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Dr. Raifman’s research has been covered in the New York Times, The Guardian, National Public Radio, and The Advocate. Dr. Raifman is highly committed to mentorship and to promoting the success of diverse students. Dr. Raifman received her doctoral and masters degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins prior to joining Boston University.

Twitter: @JuliaRaifman