Health Disparities

Health Services Research

The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science has developed considerably expertise in health services research with a focus on disability epidemiology and the utilization of rehabilitation services across settings and the lifespan. This strategic expansion of our department’s research capabilities highlights our commitment to a comprehensive, data-driven approach to understanding and improving rehabilitation services through interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced research methodologies.

Leveraging our access to a wide variety of data sources, including Medicare claims data, national survey data such as the National Health and Aging Trends Study, and extensive electronic medical records, our research aims to uncover patterns and optimize rehabilitation practices for persons living with disability. The overarching goal is to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions, inform health policy, and improve patient care through innovative and evidence-based approaches.

Focus Areas:

• Equity in Access and Utilization: Investigating disparities in access to and utilization of rehabilitation services among different populations, including socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic groups.
• Impact of Social Determinants: Examining how social determinants of health such as income, education, and community resources influence rehabilitation outcomes and recovery processes.
• Cultural Competency in Care: Enhancing cultural competency in rehabilitation practices to improve patient-provider interactions and treatment efficacy across diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Policy and Advocacy: Developing strategies to influence health policy that promotes equity in rehabilitation care and addresses systemic barriers in healthcare.
• Community Engagement and Education: Engaging with communities to raise awareness about rehabilitation services and to tailor interventions that meet the unique needs of underserved populations.

Faculty

• Jason Falvey, DPT, PhD