What we do:

The goal of our group is to improve behavioral health equity by designing and testing innovative behavioral treatments. We design clinical trials that take into account the dynamic interaction of mental health, physical health, and health behavior choices. We are particularly interested in providing these treatments in modalities and settings that increase access to behavioral health care for under-served communities.

Mental and physical health are interconnected. Mental health conditions impact long term physical health. For example, having depression increases risk for development and worsening of heart disease. Conversely, having heart disease predicts the development and worsening of depression.

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Mental and physical health

Poor mental health interferes with a person's ability to make healthy choices, such as taking medications on time, exercising, and not using tobacco. Engaging in unhealthy behaviors, such as tobacco use and eating an unhealthy diet also predict poor mental health.

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Mental health and Health behaviors

People with mental illness acquire chronic illnesses younger and die earlier than those without mental illness. Further, many under-served populations (such as individuals who are racial/ethnic minorities, homeless, or formerly incarcerated) face significant barriers to accessing behavioral health care. These disparities are under recognized, under studied, and under treated. Behavioral health equity efforts focus on eliminating these disparities.

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What is Behavioral Health Equity?