Thurston, Idia Associate Professor

My research aims to understand why certain groups of people experience a greater health and disease burden and to promote health equity among all youth and families. I strive to engage with communities to understand individual, familial, community, and cultural risk and protective factors among minoritized, marginalized, and underserved populations. In my research, I consider how co-occurring adversities (i.e., HIV, violence, substance misuse) and health comorbidities (i.e., metabolic complications) are maintained based on intersectional identities (i.e., race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality). I then use this knowledge to develop strength-based, culturally-responsive programs and interventions to enhance well-being, reduce stigma, and promote self-empowerment.