The mission of the Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR) is to create health equities from health disparities through leadership, advocacy, education, research, capacity building, collaboration, community engagement, evaluation, communication, cultural competence, and partnership. CHDR is very interested in engaging community partners in order to address issues related to health disparities in Nevada and throughout the United States.

Researchers

Jason Flatt, Ph.D., MPH

Assistant Professor
Jason Flatt
Mail Code: 3063
Phone: 702-895-5586

Timothy Grigsby, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Headshot of Timothy Grisby
Mail Code: 3063
Phone: 702-895-4670

Mingon Kang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
A man with glasses
Mail Code: 4019
Phone: 702-895-4884

Erika Marquez, Ph.D., MPH

Assistant Professor
Erika Marquez's headshot
Mail Code: 3063
Phone: 702-895-1380

Manoj Sharma, MBBS, Ph.D., MCHES

Professor & Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Health
Manoj Sharma photo
Mail Code: 3063
Phone: 702-895-2687

Jay Shen, Ph.D.

Professor & Interim Director of CHDR
Photo of Dr. Shen
Mail Code: 3063
Phone: 702-895-5830

Jennifer Vanderlaan, Ph.D., MPH, CNM

Assistant Professor
Jennifer Vanderlaan headshot
Mail Code: 3018
Phone: 702-895-3082

Ji Won Yoo, MD

Associate Professor and Director of Geriatric Fellowship Program
Ji Won Yoo, M.D.

Graduate Research Assistants

  • Zahra Mojtahedi, MD
  • Emylia Terry, MA
  • Mae Ling Catayong, BA

Research Activities

“COVID-19 Health Disparity Assessment and Healthcare Equity Modeling”, Southern Nevada Health District, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The project aims to use various quantitative modeling approaches to examine the impact of the COVID-19 on racial/ethnic disparities in clinical outcome and cost of care, from which strategies will be provided to improve responses to future public health emergencies in communities. Dr. Jay Shen, the CHDR director, leads this project.

Ethnic-specific opioid risk prediction in primary care using deep learning, Minority Research Grant Program – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The project uses novel computational and clinical strategies, including a deep learning-based risk score model and clinical assessment, to identify ethnic-specific opioid overdose risk factors. Dr. Mingon Kang leads this project.

Publications and Presentations

Partners & Community Engagement

CHDR has worked with the major partner, Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition (NMHEC), in various community activities.

CHDR, School of Public Health, and NMHEC researchers are working on the COVID-19 disparities modeling project.

CHDR and its partner, the Nevada Interprofessional Healthy Aging Network (NIHAN), held a policy forum: “Education and Technology: Closing the Health Disparities Gap for Nevada’s Older Adults” in the spring of 2023.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Center for Health Disparities Research
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Box 453050
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas , NV 89154-3050

Building Location

Email

Phone