Adolfo Cuevas
Adolfo Cuevas
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Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Professional overview
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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.
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Education
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PhD, Applied Psychology, Portland State UniversityMS, Applied Psychology, Portland State UniversityBA, Psychology, City College of New York, 2010Certificate, Applied Biostatistics, Harvard Catalyst
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Honors and awards
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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)
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Areas of research and study
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ObesityPsychosocial StressRacial/Ethnic Disparities
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Publications
Publications
Psychosocial Factors and Hypertension: A Review of the Literature
AbstractCuevas, A. G., Williams, D. R., & Albert, M. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2017Journal title
Cardiology ClinicsVolume
35Issue
2Page(s)
223-230AbstractBlack people have the highest prevalence of hypertension in the United States. Evidence suggests that psychosocial factors increase the risks for hypertension and help to account for racial differences in this condition. This article reviews research on psychosocial factors and hypertension, and contextualizes the findings within a health disparities framework. A wide range of psychosocial factors contribute to hypertension but understanding remains limited about how these factors relate to each other and accumulate to contribute to hypertension disparities. Future research on psychosocial factors and hypertension needs to enhance the effectiveness of interventions to reduce hypertension risk in ethnic minority communities.What is the key to culturally competent care: Reducing bias or cultural tailoring?
AbstractCuevas, A. G., O’Brien, K., & Saha, S. (n.d.).Publication year
2017Journal title
Psychology and HealthVolume
32Issue
4Page(s)
493-507AbstractObjective: To gain a better understanding as to whether disparities in patient–provider relationships arise from ethnic minority patients being treated differently than European American patients while they would prefer to be treated the same, or whether disparities arise when ethnic minority patients are treated the same as European American patients while they would prefer to be treated differently. Method: African-American, Latina/Latino and European American community members were recruited to participate in one of 27 focus group discussions. Topics included what made a good or bad relationship with a doctor and what led one to trust a doctor. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 10. Results: Patients of all groups described experiences that reflected the concepts of patient-centred care, such as wanting a clinician who is attentive to patients’ needs. African-American patients reported experiences they viewed as discriminatory. Some African-American patients felt it was appropriate to racially/ethnically contextualise their care, and most Latina/Latino patients preferred language/culturally concordant clinicians. Conclusion: Health care disparities might be reduced through a patient-centred approach to cultural competency training, general knowledge of the cultural context of clinicians’ patient population, and attention to the effects of racial bias and discrimination among both clinicians and non-clinical staff.African American experiences in healthcare: "I always feel like I'm getting skipped over"
AbstractCuevas, A. G., O’Brien, K., & Saha, S. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
Health PsychologyVolume
35Issue
9Page(s)
987-995AbstractObjective: Although African Americans perceive discrimination in health care settings, experience higher levels of medical mistrust compared with European Americans, and experience poorer communication with health care providers, little is known as to how these barriers to quality patient-provider relationships arise and manifest themselves. This study examined experiences of African American community members regarding these barriers and additionally explored participants' perspectives on race in the patient-provider relationship. Methods: Focus groups were conducted as part of a study exploring participants' experiences and relationships in health care settings. Sixty African American adults were recruited through community settings and activities to participate in 1 of 9 focus groups segmented by gender. Transcripts were reviewed for content related to perceived discrimination, mistrust, poor communication, and race discordance. Themes providing insight into participants' subjective experience of these potential relationship barriers were derived through qualitative coding (using NVivo 10) and iterative discussion. Results: Perceived discrimination arose when African American patients, particularly women, felt their symptoms or problems were discredited. Medical mistrust occurred when clinicians did not convey respect to patients, leaving patients to wonder whether their clinician's treatment was discriminatory or not. Poor communication arose when clinicians did not acknowledge patients' perspectives during interactions. Patients often viewed these actions as discriminatory. Conclusions: African Americans experience poor communication with their health care providers, medical mistrust, and perceived discrimination when accessing health care in numerous and sometimes interrelated ways. The investigators recommend ways to reduce the experience of such barriers and to improve patient-provider relationships for African Americans in health care.Race and skin color in latino health: An analytic review
AbstractCuevas, A. G., Dawson, B. A., & Williams, D. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
106Issue
12Page(s)
2131-2136AbstractWe examined 22 articles to compare Black Latinos/as' with White Latinos/as' health and highlight findings and limitations in the literature. We searched 1153 abstracts, from the earliest on record to those available in 2016. We organized the articles into domains grounded on a framework that incorporates the effects of race on Latinos/as' health and well-being: health and wellbeing, immigration, psychosocial factors, and contextual factors. Most studies in this area are limited by self-reported measures of health status, inconsistent use of race and skin color measures, and omission of a wider range of immigration-related and contextual factors. We give recommendations for future research to explain the complexity in the Latino/a population regarding race, and we provide insight into Black Latinos/as experiences.Trends and Disparities in Postpartum Sterilization after Cesarean Section, 2000 through 2008
AbstractGarcia, G., Richardson, D. M., Gonzales, K. L., & Cuevas, A. G. (n.d.).Publication year
2015Journal title
Women's Health IssuesVolume
25Issue
6Page(s)
634-640AbstractPurpose: Tubal sterilization patterns are influenced by factors including patient race, ethnicity, level of education, method of payment, and hospital size and affiliation. However, less is known about how these factors influence tubal sterilizations performed as secondary procedures after cesarean sections (C-sections). Thus, this study examines variations in the prevalence of postpartum tubal sterilizations after C-sections from 2000 to 2008. Methods: We used data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey to estimate odds ratios for patient-level (race, marital status, age) and system-level (hospital size, type, region) factors on the likelihood of receiving tubal sterilization after C-section. Results: A disproportionate share of postpartum tubal sterilizations after C-section was covered by Medicaid. The likelihood of undergoing sterilization was increased for Black women, women of older age, and non-single women. Additionally, they were increased in proprietary and government hospitals, smaller hospital settings, and the Southern United States. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Black women and those with Medicaid coverage in particular were substantially more likely to undergo postpartum tubal sterilization after C-section. We also found that hospital characteristics and region were significant predictors. This adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that tubal sterilization may be a disparity issue patterned by multiple factors and calls for greater understanding of the role of patient-, provider-, and system-level characteristics on such outcomes.Advancing cessation research by integrating EMA and geospatial methodologies: Associations between tobacco retail outlets and real-time smoking urges during a quit attempt
AbstractWatkins, K. L., Regan, S. D., Nguyen, N., Businelle, M. S., Kendzor, D. E., Lam, C., Balis, D., Cuevas, A. G., Cao, Y., & Reitzel, L. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
16Page(s)
S93-S101AbstractIntroduction: Residential tobacco retail outlet (TRO) density and proximity have been associated with smoking behaviors. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these relations and their potential relevance outside of the residential setting. This study integrates ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and geo-location tracking to explore real-time associations between exposure to TROs and smoking urges among 47 economically disadvantaged smokers in a cessation trial (59.6% female; 36.2% White). Methods: EMA data were collected for 1 week postquit via smartphone, which recorded smoking urge strength =4 random times daily along with real-time participant location data. For each assessment, the participants' proximity to the closest TRO and the density of TROs surrounding the participant were calculated. Linear mixed model regressions examined associations between TRO variables and smoking urges and whether relations varied based on participants' distance from their home. Covariates included sociodemographics, prequit tobacco dependence, treatment group, and daily smoking status. Results: Main effects were nonsignificant; however, the interaction between TRO proximity and distance from home was considered significant (p = .056). Specifically, closer proximity to TROs was associated with stronger smoking urges =1 mile of home (p = .001) but not >1 mile from home (p = .307). Significant associations were attributable to assessments completed at participants' home addresses. All density analyses were nonsignificant. Conclusions: Technological challenges encountered in this study resulted in a significant amount of missing data, highlighting the preliminary nature of these findings and limiting the inferences that can be drawn. However, results suggest that closer residential proximity to tobacco outlets may trigger stronger urges to smoke among economically disadvantaged smokers trying to quit, perhaps due to enhanced cigarette availability and accessibility. Therefore, limiting tobacco sales in close proximity to residential areas may complement existing tobacco control efforts and facilitate cessation.Discrimination, affect, and cancer risk factors among African Americans
AbstractCuevas, A. G., Reitzel, L. R., Adams, C. E., Cao, Y., Nguyen, N., Wetter, D. W., Watkins, K. L., Regan, S. D., & McNeill, L. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
38Issue
1Page(s)
31-41AbstractObjectives: To examine whether stress or depressive symptoms mediated associations between perceived discrimination and multiple modifiable behavioral risk factors for cancer among 1363 African American adults. Methods: Nonparametric bootstrapping procedures, adjusted for sociodemographics, were used to assess mediation. Results: Stress and depressive symptoms each mediated associations between discrimination and current smoking, and discrimination and the total number of behavioral risk factors for cancer. Depressive symptoms also mediated the association between discrimination and overweight/obesity (p values < .05). Conclusions: Discrimination may influence certain behavioral risk factors for cancer through heightened levels of stress and depressive symptoms. Interventions to reduce cancer risk may need to address experiences of discrimination, as well as the stress and depression they engender. Copyright (c) PNG Publications. All rights reserved.Financial strain and cancer risk behaviors among African Americans
AbstractAdvani, P. S., Reitzel, L. R., Nguyen, N. T., Fisher, F. D., Savoy, E. J., Cuevas, A. G., Wetter, D. W., & McNeill, L. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and PreventionVolume
23Issue
6Page(s)
967-975AbstractBackground: African Americans suffer disproportionately from the adverse consequences of behavioral risk factors for cancer relative to other ethnic groups. Recent studies have assessed how financial strain might uniquely contribute to engagement in modifiable behavioral risk factors for cancer, but not among African Americans. The current study examined associations between financial strain and modifiable cancer risk factors (smoking, at-risk alcohol use, overweight/obesity, insufficient physical activity, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, and multiple risk factors) among 1,278 African American adults (age, 46.5 ± 12.6 years; 77% female) and explored potential mediators (stress and depressive symptoms) of those associations. Methods: Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between financial strain and cancer risk factors. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, partner status, income, educational level, and employment status. Analyses involving overweight/obesity status additionally controlled for fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity. Nonparametric bootstrapping procedures were used to assess mediation. Results: Greater financial strain was associated with greater odds of insufficient physical activity (P < 0.003) and smoking (P = 0.005) and was positively associated with the total number of cancer risk factors (P < 0.0001). There was a significant indirect effect of both stress and depressive symptoms on the relations of financial strain with physical inactivity and multiple risk factors, respectively. Conclusions: Future interventions aimed at reducing cancer disparities should focus on African Americans experiencing higher financial strain while addressing their stress and depressive symptoms. Impact: Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the temporal and causal relations between financial strain and modifiable behavioral cancer risk factors among African Americans.Financial strain and self-rated health among black adults
AbstractSavoy, E. J., Reitzel, L. R., Nguyen, N., Advani, P. S., Fisher, F. D., Wetter, D. W., Cuevas, A. G., & McNeill, L. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
38Issue
3Page(s)
340-350AbstractObjectives: To explore associations between financial strain and self-rated health among 1341 black adults. Methods: Associations were investigated using a covariate-adjusted linear regression model. Mediation (via stress and/ or depressive symptoms) was explored in additional models using a nonparametric bootstrapping procedure. Results: Higher financial strain was associated with poorer self-rated health (p < .001). Stress and depressive symptoms were each significant mediators of this relation in both single and multiple mediator models (p values < .05). Conclusions: Financial strain may contribute to poorer health among black adults, partially via greater stress and depressive symptoms. Potential theoretical, intervention, and policy implications are discussed. Future studies with longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these results.Loneliness and self-rated health among church-attending African Americans
AbstractFisher, F. D., Reitzel, L. R., Nguyen, N., Savoy, E. J., Advani, P. S., Cuevas, A. G., Vidrine, J. I., Wetter, D. W., & McNeill, L. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
38Issue
4Page(s)
481-491AbstractObjectives: To explore relations between loneliness and self-rated health among African-American adults of diverse ages. Methods: Associations between loneliness and self-rated health were investigated using covariate-adjusted linear regression models. Perceived social support was examined as a moderator. The potential indirect effects of stress and/or depressive symptoms were examined using nonparametric bootstrapping procedures. Results: Greater loneliness was associated with poorer self-rated health (p = .008), and social support did not moderate. Stress and depressive symptoms yielded significant indirect effects in single and multiple mediator models (p values ≤ 05). Conclusions: Loneliness may contribute to poorer health among African Americans. Results suggest that greater stress and depressive symptoms might underlie these associations, but longitudinal studies are needed to assess causal relations.Mediators of discrimination and self-rated health among African Americans
AbstractCuevas, A. G., Reitzel, L. R., Cao, Y., Nguyen, N., Wetter, D. W., Adams, C. E., Watkins, K. L., Regan, S. D., & McNeill, L. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
37Issue
6Page(s)
745-754AbstractObjectives: To examine whether stress and depressive symptoms mediated relationships of perceived discrimination and self-rated health among African Americans. Methods: A nonparametric bootstrapping procedure was used to assess mediation, controlling for sociodemographic variables, among 1406 cohort study adults (age=45.5±12.6, 25.1% male). Results: Greater discrimination was associated with poorer selfrated health (β=-.010, SE=.003, p = .001). Stress and depressive symptoms were each significant mediators of this relationship in single and multiple mediator models (ps ≤ 05). Conclusions: Perceived discrimination may contribute to poorer self-rated health among African Americans through heightened levels of stress and depression. Interventions addressing these mechanisms might help reduce the impact of discrimination on health. Definitive results await longitudinal study designs to assess causal pathways.