Faculty research health disparities: preventable differences in health or health risks in which disadvantaged social groups—including people living in poverty, racial and ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ people—systematically experience worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups.
As health equity researchers, we are committed to identifying and intervening on the structural factors that cause health disparities, including:
- fundamental causes such as racism and economic inequality;
- health system design;
- experiences of discrimination and oppression.
Signature Research Areas
More About Research on Health Equity
Research News
Edith Lawrence-Hilliard Honored With 2025 Canary Savage Girardeau Award
Ms. Lawrence-Hilliard is a lifelong advocate for equity who has dedicated her work to uplifting marginalized voices in health, education, and civic life.
A New Type of Translation
For UW–Madison School of Nursing alum and professor Dr. Maichou Lor, creating tools to address culturally-appropriate care and improve clinical practice means patients’ symptoms are no longer lost in translation.
MS Information student Jinghao Zhou leads pioneering research at interdisciplinary School of Nursing lab
Jinghao Zhou MSx’26 talks about his work as a graduate research assistant with Dr. Wan-Chin Kuo in the Metabolic Environment Targeting Age Reversal (METAR) lab.
Dr. Jeneile Luebke Receives Outstanding Women of Color Award
Each year, UW-Madison recognizes honorees whose advocacy, activism, and/or scholarship have positively transformed their organizations and/or communities and whose efforts advance inclusive excellence for people of color.
- More Research News
Resources from Researchers
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Wisconsin Network for Research Support
The WINRS team provides researchers with effective and innovative strategies for engaging stakeholders and study participants—especially those from underrepresented populations.
Researchers in Health Equity
Wan-chin Kuo, PhD, RN
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
wkuo4
Phone: 608-263-9886
Address:
4121 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Jessica LeClair, PhD, MPH, RN
Position title: Postdoctoral Trainee
Email:
jleclair2
Phone: 608-265-8225
Address:
5115 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Maichou Lor, PhD, RN
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
mlor2
Phone: 608-265-4248
Address:
4117 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Jeneile M. Luebke, PhD, RN
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
jmluebke
Phone: 608-890-0555
Address:
5111 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Linda D. Oakley, PhD, RN
Position title: Louis J. and Phyllis Clark Jacobs Professor in Mental Health
Email:
ldoakley
Phone: 608-263-5866
Address:
4171 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Susan Racine Passmore, PhD
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
passmore2
Phone: 608-263-5176
Address:
3111 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Jingxi Sheng, PhD, RN
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
jsheng29
Phone: 608-263-5186
Address:
3141 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
Megan Zuelsdorff, PhD
Position title: Assistant Professor
Email:
mlzuelsd
Phone: 608-262-5951
Address:
3115 Signe Skott Cooper Hall