Rafael E. Pérez-Figueroa, MD, MPH

Dr. Rafael E. Pérez-Figueroa studies the mechanisms through which historically and contemporary under-resourced populations experience health inequities by engaging in theoretically driven research that seeks to disentangle the effects of different social  determinants of health. Most of his scholarly work focuses on public health issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention and care, substance use and abuse, harm reduction, mental health, and healthcare utilization. He uses different community-engaged approaches to study these issues, focusing on the interplay between behavioral, social,  structural, and environmental factors that influence health systems in which inequities are embedded. He emphasizes conducting community-engaged research work and public health practice that directly aligns with the translation, diffusion, and implementation of evidence-based health strategies into community practice and policies. He is a fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program, the Columbia University Community-Based Participatory Research Program, the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, and the New York University Postdoctoral and Transition Program for Academic Diversity.