Rita Hamad
@ritahamad.bsky.social
Professor, social epidemiologist @hsph.harvard.edu • Social policy + health equity • Director https://hsph.me/sphere • Mama, immigrant • Opinions mine
New study finds more generous state safety net policies w/ fewer administrative barriers are linked to better birth outcomes, esp for marginalized groups. Very relevant finding in current policy environment!
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
New study finds more generous state safety net policies w/ fewer administrative barriers are linked to better birth outcomes, esp for marginalized groups. Very relevant finding in current policy environment!
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
Calvin and Hobbes, speaking deep truths even about our world today. Thanks, @billwatterson.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
October 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Calvin and Hobbes, speaking deep truths even about our world today. Thanks, @billwatterson.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
As a reminder, the US is the only high-income country without a national #paidleave policy, but some states have passed their own policies. Whitney's recent paper @amjepi.bsky.social described this policy's positive impacts on breastfeeding: academic.oup.com/aje/advance-... @hsph.harvard.edu 2/2
October 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
As a reminder, the US is the only high-income country without a national #paidleave policy, but some states have passed their own policies. Whitney's recent paper @amjepi.bsky.social described this policy's positive impacts on breastfeeding: academic.oup.com/aje/advance-... @hsph.harvard.edu 2/2
New article @jamanetworkopen.com showing cash during pregnancy ⬆️ prenatal care among women in Flint. Cash support to low-income families supports healthy babies & kids, but our current safety net falls short. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @monahanna.bsky.social @michiganstateu.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
New article @jamanetworkopen.com showing cash during pregnancy ⬆️ prenatal care among women in Flint. Cash support to low-income families supports healthy babies & kids, but our current safety net falls short. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @monahanna.bsky.social @michiganstateu.bsky.social
And now a moment of levity: my first attempt at #distractedboyfriend meme as I prepare some lecture slides on hypothesis-generation and theory-testing.
#sciencesky #academicsky
#sciencesky #academicsky
September 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
And now a moment of levity: my first attempt at #distractedboyfriend meme as I prepare some lecture slides on hypothesis-generation and theory-testing.
#sciencesky #academicsky
#sciencesky #academicsky
In the second qualitative paper, we examine lived experiences of low-income families navigating pandemic-era safety net programs. Our most surprising finding was how stressful *temporary* benefits are: ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2... @capolicylab.bsky.social @amjpublichealth.bsky.social 3/
September 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
In the second qualitative paper, we examine lived experiences of low-income families navigating pandemic-era safety net programs. Our most surprising finding was how stressful *temporary* benefits are: ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2... @capolicylab.bsky.social @amjpublichealth.bsky.social 3/
Thrilled to co-author 2 recent qualitative papers that perfectly demonstrate the importance of mixed methods research to inform US policy. In the first aptly titled "It's confusing as hell" we examined lived experiences of low-income people applying for the EITC. academic.oup.com/healthaffair... 1/
September 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Thrilled to co-author 2 recent qualitative papers that perfectly demonstrate the importance of mixed methods research to inform US policy. In the first aptly titled "It's confusing as hell" we examined lived experiences of low-income people applying for the EITC. academic.oup.com/healthaffair... 1/
We also describe how #paidleave policies have consistently been shown to support breastfeeding. The US is the only high-income country without a national leave policy, although states are increasingly filling this gap. doi.org/10.1542/peds... @paidleaveforall.bsky.social 2/
August 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
We also describe how #paidleave policies have consistently been shown to support breastfeeding. The US is the only high-income country without a national leave policy, although states are increasingly filling this gap. doi.org/10.1542/peds... @paidleaveforall.bsky.social 2/
New paper @ameracadpeds.bsky.social w/ Dr. Whaley @phfewic.bsky.social summarizes studies on US social policies to promote breastfeeding, e.g. how work restrictions for many safety net policies ⬇️ women's ability to breastfeed: doi.org/10.1542/peds... @npwf.bsky.social @urbaninstitute.bsky.social 1/
August 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New paper @ameracadpeds.bsky.social w/ Dr. Whaley @phfewic.bsky.social summarizes studies on US social policies to promote breastfeeding, e.g. how work restrictions for many safety net policies ⬇️ women's ability to breastfeed: doi.org/10.1542/peds... @npwf.bsky.social @urbaninstitute.bsky.social 1/
Our latest study @jamahealthforum.com shows the harms of work requirements for safety net programs. Women who were subject to harsher requirements and who received less cash assistance from TANF were less likely to breastfeed. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @donmoyn.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu 1/
August 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Our latest study @jamahealthforum.com shows the harms of work requirements for safety net programs. Women who were subject to harsher requirements and who received less cash assistance from TANF were less likely to breastfeed. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @donmoyn.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu 1/
Health Affairs is planning a theme issue on the intersections of #climate, #health, and #equity. Read more and submit your abstract here by August 11:
www.healthaffairs.org/request-for-...
@apha.org @iaphs.bsky.social @societyforepi.bsky.social
www.healthaffairs.org/request-for-...
@apha.org @iaphs.bsky.social @societyforepi.bsky.social
July 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Health Affairs is planning a theme issue on the intersections of #climate, #health, and #equity. Read more and submit your abstract here by August 11:
www.healthaffairs.org/request-for-...
@apha.org @iaphs.bsky.social @societyforepi.bsky.social
www.healthaffairs.org/request-for-...
@apha.org @iaphs.bsky.social @societyforepi.bsky.social
The 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion involved automatic deposits of cash into bank accounts of most eligible families. Our study finds that this reduced administrative burdens & boosted CTC take-up, but disparities remained. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @pamherd.bsky.social 1/
July 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion involved automatic deposits of cash into bank accounts of most eligible families. Our study finds that this reduced administrative burdens & boosted CTC take-up, but disparities remained. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @pamherd.bsky.social 1/
Check out personal stories from #pophealth scientists about how drastic federal funding cuts are affecting scientific progress & junior researchers' careers. This includes several stories from people here @hsph.harvard.edu who lost all federal funding, including my team's story. @iaphs.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Check out personal stories from #pophealth scientists about how drastic federal funding cuts are affecting scientific progress & junior researchers' careers. This includes several stories from people here @hsph.harvard.edu who lost all federal funding, including my team's story. @iaphs.bsky.social
Interested in social epidemiology but don't have access to formal training, or do you want more than your current training program offers? Check out new online course from University of Toronto, including lectures from yours truly on social policy evaluation: leongcentre.utoronto.ca/social-epide...
June 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Interested in social epidemiology but don't have access to formal training, or do you want more than your current training program offers? Check out new online course from University of Toronto, including lectures from yours truly on social policy evaluation: leongcentre.utoronto.ca/social-epide...
Our latest paper is now in print, showing ⬆️ prevalence of adverse perinatal health outcomes in the wake of pandemic. This suggests potential lasting impacts on future generations. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... @societyforepi.bsky.social @dkarasek.bsky.social @alisongemmill.bsky.social 1/
June 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Our latest paper is now in print, showing ⬆️ prevalence of adverse perinatal health outcomes in the wake of pandemic. This suggests potential lasting impacts on future generations. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... @societyforepi.bsky.social @dkarasek.bsky.social @alisongemmill.bsky.social 1/
@donmoyn.bsky.social is right. Want to hear more from actual researchers who have are experts on this evidence? Check out @irpwisc.bsky.social virtual seminar coming up later this month: www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/wor...
@chloeneast.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
@chloeneast.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM
@donmoyn.bsky.social is right. Want to hear more from actual researchers who have are experts on this evidence? Check out @irpwisc.bsky.social virtual seminar coming up later this month: www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/wor...
@chloeneast.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
@chloeneast.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
It's not too late to sign up for @bostonglobe.com #HealthEquity summit this Wed May 14, including panel I will be joining on the future of policy & practice. Details & registration here, including virtual options: healthequitysummit25.splashthat.com @hsph.harvard.edu @harvardpopcenter.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
It's not too late to sign up for @bostonglobe.com #HealthEquity summit this Wed May 14, including panel I will be joining on the future of policy & practice. Details & registration here, including virtual options: healthequitysummit25.splashthat.com @hsph.harvard.edu @harvardpopcenter.bsky.social
Excited to be joining a stellar policy-focused panel at the @bostonglobe.com #HealthEquity summit next Wednesday May 14, with many other great panels throughout the day. Space still available for virtual attendance. Details and registration here: healthequitysummit25.splashthat.com
May 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Excited to be joining a stellar policy-focused panel at the @bostonglobe.com #HealthEquity summit next Wednesday May 14, with many other great panels throughout the day. Space still available for virtual attendance. Details and registration here: healthequitysummit25.splashthat.com
New study @nber.org finds ACA #Medicaid expansion substantially reduced mortality, benefiting both younger and older adults. Critical policy implications, as current budget proposes massive cuts to Medicaid. www.nber.org/papers/w33719 @ucstonecenter.bsky.social @kffhealthnews.org @warren.senate.gov
May 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
New study @nber.org finds ACA #Medicaid expansion substantially reduced mortality, benefiting both younger and older adults. Critical policy implications, as current budget proposes massive cuts to Medicaid. www.nber.org/papers/w33719 @ucstonecenter.bsky.social @kffhealthnews.org @warren.senate.gov
New paper led by @dkarasek.bsky.social tracks disturbing trends in perinatal health post pandemic, eg ⬇️ prenatal & postpartum care, ⬆️ gestational diabetes & hypertension. This portends concerning long-term #health impacts in this cohort. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @spercomms.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
New paper led by @dkarasek.bsky.social tracks disturbing trends in perinatal health post pandemic, eg ⬇️ prenatal & postpartum care, ⬆️ gestational diabetes & hypertension. This portends concerning long-term #health impacts in this cohort. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @spercomms.bsky.social
Our latest paper shows perinatal health & healthcare access worsened dramatically during pandemic. Future research needs to track long-term trends in this cohort. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @dkarasek.bsky.social @alisongemmill.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu @gregggonsalves.bsky.social
March 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Our latest paper shows perinatal health & healthcare access worsened dramatically during pandemic. Future research needs to track long-term trends in this cohort. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @dkarasek.bsky.social @alisongemmill.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu @gregggonsalves.bsky.social
Cutting SNAP is bad for American's health. Our recent paper showed how expiration of pandemic-era SNAP expansions increased food insufficiency and material hardship: www.healthaffairs.org/doi/suppl/10... @centeronbudget.bsky.social @epi.org @urbaninstitute.bsky.social @brookings.edu
February 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Cutting SNAP is bad for American's health. Our recent paper showed how expiration of pandemic-era SNAP expansions increased food insufficiency and material hardship: www.healthaffairs.org/doi/suppl/10... @centeronbudget.bsky.social @epi.org @urbaninstitute.bsky.social @brookings.edu
For both new and old scholars in #healthequity, take a moment to (re-)read Len's early works. Remind yourself of his seminal research and his early calls to study and intervene on upstream social forces that influence health (like this one from 1970!). www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10....
January 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
For both new and old scholars in #healthequity, take a moment to (re-)read Len's early works. Remind yourself of his seminal research and his early calls to study and intervene on upstream social forces that influence health (like this one from 1970!). www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10....
With rising tide of xenophobia, re-posting my #HAScholar commentary from last year on immigrants' contribution to US society, and how to support #healthequity. We need to support these marginalized groups in current environment: academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
@kathrynp-phd.bsky.social @nilc.org
@kathrynp-phd.bsky.social @nilc.org
January 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
With rising tide of xenophobia, re-posting my #HAScholar commentary from last year on immigrants' contribution to US society, and how to support #healthequity. We need to support these marginalized groups in current environment: academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
@kathrynp-phd.bsky.social @nilc.org
@kathrynp-phd.bsky.social @nilc.org
We also found poor #mentalhealth increased even more among women and youngest adults, and among White relative to Black Americans. These changes in past decade were driven by both pre-pandemic & pandemic trends.
tinyurl.com/yd8p4ad8
@emilydore.bsky.social @drdrtsai.bsky.social @bostonglobe.com
tinyurl.com/yd8p4ad8
@emilydore.bsky.social @drdrtsai.bsky.social @bostonglobe.com
January 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
We also found poor #mentalhealth increased even more among women and youngest adults, and among White relative to Black Americans. These changes in past decade were driven by both pre-pandemic & pandemic trends.
tinyurl.com/yd8p4ad8
@emilydore.bsky.social @drdrtsai.bsky.social @bostonglobe.com
tinyurl.com/yd8p4ad8
@emilydore.bsky.social @drdrtsai.bsky.social @bostonglobe.com