Anna María Nápoles

American behavioral epidemiologist

Anna María Nápoles

Anna María Nápoles is an American behavioral epidemiologist known for her work in health disparities and community-based interventions. She has made significant contributions to understanding how social and behavioral factors affect health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations.

Early Life and Education

Anna María Nápoles was born and raised in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Biology at a prestigious university, where she developed an interest in public health and epidemiology. Nápoles went on to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from a leading institution, focusing her research on health disparities among minority populations.

Career

Nápoles began her career as a researcher at a prominent public health organization, where she worked on projects aimed at reducing health disparities. Her early work involved studying the impact of cultural and linguistic barriers on healthcare access and outcomes.

National Institutes of Health

In 2017, Nápoles was appointed as the first Latina scientific director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio of research aimed at understanding and addressing health disparities. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the NIH's mission to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities.

Research and Contributions

Nápoles' research focuses on community-based interventions to improve health outcomes in minority populations. She has led numerous studies examining the role of social support, stress, and cultural factors in health. Her work has highlighted the importance of culturally tailored interventions in improving health outcomes for underserved communities.

Community-Based Participatory Research

A significant aspect of Nápoles' work involves Community-based participatory research (CBPR), a collaborative approach that involves community members in the research process. This method has been effective in developing interventions that are culturally relevant and sustainable.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Nápoles has received numerous awards for her contributions to public health and epidemiology. She is recognized as a leader in the field of health disparities and has been invited to speak at national and international conferences.

Personal Life

Anna María Nápoles is committed to mentoring the next generation of public health professionals. She is actively involved in initiatives to increase diversity in the field of epidemiology and public health.

Related Pages

• Epidemiology
• Health disparities
• National Institutes of Health
• Community-based participatory research