Adolfo Cuevas

Adolfo Cuevas

Adolfo Cuevas

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Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Professional overview

Adolfo G. Cuevas, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU's School of Global Public Health, and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health. His research focuses on how discrimination and other psychosocial stressors affect health across the lifespan, employing epidemiological, psychological, and biological approaches to explore these relationships.

Dr. Cuevas currently leads two NIH-funded projects, totaling nearly $4 million, that investigate the effect of neighborhood and interpersonal discrimination on biological dysregulation. The first project (R01DK137805; 2024-2029) addresses a critical gap by examining how discrimination influences allostatic load across three life course stages and identifying gene expression pathways linking discrimination to biological stress. It is also the first to assess how social relationships—such as kinship and community ties—can mitigate the impact of discrimination on gene expression and stress. His second project (R01DK137246; 2024-2029) is the first to longitudinally assess both neighborhood and interpersonal discrimination in relation to obesity, exploring the molecular indicators of stress-related proinflammatory biology that may promote adipose tissue formation.

Dr. Cuevas co-directs the BioSocial Reseach Initiative and is involved in the International Weight Control Registry and the Afro-Latino Health working group. In addition to his NIH-funded projects, he serves as Co-Investigator on several initiatives examining racial biases in healthcare and the neurobiological effects of racism. His research has been featured in leading journals, including Annals of Internal Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, and American Journal of Public Health. His work has also been highlighted by media outlets such as Forbes, HuffPost, and NPR's Code Switch.

For his contributions to research on race, racism, and health, Dr. Cuevas was named one of the National Minority Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health and received the Diversity Scholar Award from the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard University.

Prior to joining NYU, he was the Gerald R. Gill Assistant Professor of Race, Culture, and Society at Tufts University. He earned his PhD and MS in applied psychology from Portland State University and completed postdoctoral training at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

PhD, Applied Psychology, Portland State University
MS, Applied Psychology, Portland State University
BA, Psychology, City College of New York, 2010
Certificate, Applied Biostatistics, Harvard Catalyst

National Institute of Health Loan Repayment-Renewal (2021)
Diversity Scholar Award, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, Harvard University (2019)
National Institute of Health Loan Repayment (2019)
40 Under 40 Leaders in Health, National Minority Quality Forum (2018)
Neubauer Faculty Fellowship, Tufts University (2017)
Portland African American Leadership Fellowship (2013)
National Cancer Institute R25E Summer Research Experience, The University of Texas MD, Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (2012)
Bernard R. Ackerman Foundation Award for Outstanding Scholarship (2010)
Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge Graduate of the Year (2010)
City University of New York Pipeline Fellowship (2009)
City University of New York Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) Scholarship (2009)
Psi Chi Honor Society (2009)
Dean’s List Scholar (20082009)
Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) Honor Society (2008)
City College of New York’s William Wright Scholarship (2008)
City College of New York Community Service Award (2008)
SEEK Scholarship (2008)

Obesity
Psychosocial Stress
Racial/Ethnic Disparities

Representation of Hispanic Patients in Clinical Trials for Respiratory Failure: A Systematic Review

Harlan, E. A., Malley, K., Quiroga, G., Mubarak, E., Lama, P., Schutz, A., Cuevas, A., Hough, C. L., Iwashyna, T. J., Armstrong-Hough, M., & Valley, T. S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Critical Care Explorations

Volume

7

Issue

1

Page(s)

e1193
10.1097/CCE.0000000000001193
Abstract
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Hispanic individuals comprise one-fifth of the U.S. population and Hispanic patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) experience higher odds of death compared with non-Hispanic White patients. Representation of Hispanic patients in clinical trials for respiratory failure is critical to address this inequity. We conducted a systematic review to examine the inclusion of Hispanic patients in randomized controlled trials for AHRF and assessed language as a potential barrier to enrollment. DATA SOURCES: National Library of Medicine PubMed, Elsevier Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases through January 2024. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials assessing AHRF interventions enrolling U.S. patients receiving mechanical ventilation, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, or high-flow nasal cannula were included. The systematic review was registered prospectively through PROSPERO (CRD42023437828). DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently screened studies and extracted data for each included study. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ninety-four trials published from 1975 to 2023 were included; 33.0% (n = 31) of studies reported ethnicity, and 11.2% of participants in studies reporting race or ethnicity (1,320/11,780) were identified as Hispanic. The proportion of Hispanic-identified participants was significantly lower than the U.S. Hispanic population from 1996 to 2019 (p < 0.01). Starting in 2020, the proportion of Hispanic-identified participants was significantly higher than the U.S. population (27.8% vs. 19.1%; p < 0.01). Two studies (4.9%) reporting race or ethnicity excluded non-English speaking participants; the remainder did not specify language requirements for enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic-identified individuals were underrepresented in trials for AHRF until 2020 when Hispanic patient representation increased during COVID-19. Exclusion of participants who do not speak English may represent a barrier to trial enrollment.

Safeguarding SNAP as an Effective Antihunger Program: Myths and Potential Harms of Adding Diet Quality as a Core Objective

A novel approach to model cumulative stress: Area under the s-factor curve

Breaking Academic Silos: Pedagogical Recommendations for Equitable Obesity Prevention Training and Research During an Age of Nutrition Polarization

Discrimination in Medical Settings across Populations: Evidence From the All of Us Research Program

Wang, V. H. C., Cuevas, A. G., Osokpo, O. H., Chang, J. E., Zhang, D., Hu, A., Yun, J., Lee, A., Du, S., Williams, D. R., & Pagán, J. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

American journal of preventive medicine

Volume

67

Issue

4

Page(s)

568-580
10.1016/j.amepre.2024.05.018
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Discrimination in medical settings (DMS) contributes to healthcare disparities in the United States, but few studies have determined the extent of DMS in a large national sample and across different populations. This study estimated the national prevalence of DMS and described demographic and health-related characteristics associated with experiencing DMS in seven different situations. Methods: Survey data from 41,875 adults participating in the All of Us Research Program collected in 2021–2022 and logistic regression were used to examine the association between sociodemographic and health-related characteristics and self-reported DMS among adults engaged with a healthcare provider within the past 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed in 2023–2024. Results: About 36.89% of adults reported having experienced at least one DMS situation. Adults with relative social and medical disadvantages had higher prevalence of experiencing DMS. Compared to their counterparts, respondents with higher odds of experiencing DMS in at least one situation identified as female, non-Hispanic Black, having at least some college, living in the South, renter, having other living arrangement, being publicly insured, not having a usual source of care, having multiple chronic conditions, having any disability, and reporting fair or poor health, p<0.05. Conclusions: The findings indicate a high prevalence of DMS, particularly among some population groups. Characterizing DMS may be a valuable tool for identifying populations at risk within the healthcare system and optimizing the overall patient care experience. Implementing relevant policies remains an essential strategy for mitigating the prevalence of DMS and reducing healthcare disparities.

Education, Income, Wealth, and Discrimination in Black-White Allostatic Load Disparities

Cuevas, A. G., McSorley, A. M., Lyngdoh, A., Kaba-Diakité, F., Harris, A., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Rouhani, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

American journal of preventive medicine

Volume

67

Issue

1

Page(s)

97-104
10.1016/j.amepre.2024.02.021
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Allostatic load (AL) is a significant marker of aging, associated with disease and mortality. Research has elucidated the impact of education and income on AL. However, the roles of wealth and discrimination in contributing to AL and shaping AL disparities remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between wealth and AL, while also examining the independent contributions of education, income, wealth, and everyday discrimination in shaping AL disparities. Methods: Using 2016 data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (N=3,866), this study employed multilinear regression analysis to quantify the association between education and income, wealth (calculated as assets minus debts), and everyday discrimination with AL. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis was conducted to determine the proportion of AL disparities between Black and White participants attributed to education and income, wealth, and everyday discrimination. Analyses were performed in 2023. Results: Having a college degree or more (b = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.46, −0.17), higher income (b = −0.06; 95% CI: −0.11, −0.01), and greater wealth (b = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.16, −0.07) were linked to reduced AL. Conversely, increased experiences of everyday discrimination were associated with heightened AL (b = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.16). Collectively, differences in possessing a college degree or more, wealth, and exposure to discrimination accounted for about 18% of the observed Black-White AL disparities. Conclusions: Education, income, wealth, and experiences of discrimination may independently contribute to AL and partially explain Black-White disparities in AL. There is a need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing these relationships, particularly wealth, and extend the research to additional social determinants of racial health disparities.

Love after lockup: examining the role of marriage, social status, and financial stress among formerly incarcerated individuals

Bather, J. R., McSorley, A. M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., Cuevas, A., Rouhani, S., Nafiu, R. T., Harris, A., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Health and Justice

Volume

12

Issue

1
10.1186/s40352-024-00264-x
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Upon reintegration into society, formerly incarcerated individuals (FIIs) experience chronic financial stress due to prolonged unemployment, strained social relationships, and financial obligations. This study examined whether marriage and perceived social status can mitigate financial stress, which is deleterious to the well-being of FIIs. We also assessed whether sociodemographic factors influenced financial stress across marital status. We used cross-sectional data from 588 FIIs, collected in the 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health. The financial stress outcome (Cronbach’s α = 0.86) comprised of five constructs: psychological distress, financial anxiety, job insecurity, life satisfaction, and financial well-being. Independent variables included marital and social status, age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, educational attainment, employment status, and number of dependents. Multivariable models tested whether financial stress levels differed by marital and perceived social status (individual and interaction effects). Stratified multivariable models assessed whether social status and sociodemographic associations varied by marital status. Results: We found that being married/living with a partner (M/LWP, b = -5.2) or having higher social status (b = -2.4) were protective against financial stress. Additionally, the social status effect was more protective among divorced, separated, or widowed participants (b = -2.5) compared to never married (NM, b = -2.2) and M/LWP (b = -1.7) participants. Lower financial stress correlated with Black race and older age, with the age effect being more pronounced among M/LWP participants (b = -9.7) compared to NM participants (b = -7.3). Higher financial stress was associated with woman gender identity (overall sample b = 2.9, NM sample b = 5.1), higher education (M/LWP sample b = 4.4), and having two or more dependents (overall sample b = 2.3, M/LWP sample b = 3.4). Conclusions: We provide novel insights into the interrelationship between marriage, perceived social status, and financial stress among FIIs. Our findings indicate the need for policies and programs which may target the family unit, and not only the individual, to help alleviate the financial burden of FIIs. Finally, programs that offer legal aid to assist in expungement or sealing of criminal records or those offering opportunities for community volunteer work in exchange for vouchers specific to legal debt among FIIs could serve to reduce financial stress and improve social standing.

Multi-discrimination exposure and biological aging: Results from the midlife in the United States study

Neighborhood Opportunity and Obesity in Early Adolescence: Differential Associations by Sex

The cost of doubt: assessing the association between attributional ambiguity and mental health

The Influence of Contested Racial Identity and Perceived Everyday Discrimination Exposure on Body Mass Index in US Adults

Association of Racial Discrimination With Adiposity in Children and Adolescents

Discrimination Exposure and Polygenic Risk for Obesity in Adulthood: Testing Gene-Environment Correlations and Interactions

Genetic Liability, Exposure Severity, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Predict Cognitive Impairment in World Trade Center Responders

Intersectional vulnerability in the relationship between discrimination and inflammatory gene expression

Length of Residency in the United States and Obesity Across Race/Ethnicity

Parental education and epigenetic aging in middle-aged and older adults in the United States: A life course perspective

Perceived intrinsic, social, and environmental barriers for weight management in older Hispanic/Latino adults with obesity

The Relationship Between Subjective Social Status, Mental Health Disparities, and the Mediating Role of Discrimination Among Latinx Populations

Use of Bland-Altman Analysis to Examine the Racial and Ethnic Representativeness of Study Populations in Community-Based Pediatric Health Research

Assessing the role of socioeconomic status and discrimination exposure for racial disparities in inflammation

Contested racial identity and the health of women and their infants

Examining the relationship between household wealth and colorectal cancer screening behaviors among U.S. men aged 45–75

How Should Health Equity Researchers Consider Intersections of Race and Ethnicity in Afro-Latino Communities?

Medical mistrust, discrimination, and COVID-19 vaccine behaviors among a national sample U.S. adults

Contact

adolfo.cuevas@nyu.edu 708 Broadway New York, NY, 10003