Danielle C Ompad

Professor of Epidemiology

Professional overview

Dr. Danielle Ompad is an epidemiologist whose work is focused in the areas of urban health, HIV, illicit drug use, and adult access to vaccines. With respect to illicit drug use, her work has spanned the entire natural history of addiction – from initiation to cessation, with particular attention paid to risk for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and STIs.  She has primarily worked with people who use heroin, crack, cocaine, and/or club drugs.  

In New York City, she has been examining heroin cessation among current, former, and relapsed heroin users. Working with Alliance for Public Health and the Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, she analyzes harm reduction service utilization among people who inject drugs, in order to optimize service delivery in Ukraine.  Since 2013, she has served as faculty for the Fogarty-funded New York State International Training and Research Program with the goal of building research capacity in Ukraine.

Dr. Ompad’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-funded study aims to determine if herpes simplex 1 and 2 infections explain racial disparities in HIV incidence among a cohort of young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM).  In addition, Dr. Ompad and colleagues are assessing HPV infection prevalence, persistence, and clearance among this same cohort.

Education

BS, Biology, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

MHS, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

PhD, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Honors and awards

Excellence in Public Health Teaching Award, New York University (2014)

Excellence in Public Health Teaching Award, New York University (2013)

National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse Scientific Development Travel Fellowship (2010)

Delta Omega Honorary Society, Alpha Chapter (2002)

Areas of research and study

Epidemiology

HIV/AIDS

Infectious Diseases

Social Determinants of Health

STIs

Substance Abuse

Vaccines

Publications

Publications

Development and Validation of a Provider-Specific Anticipated Stigma Scale for People Who Inject Drugs

Evaluating a Pilot Online Writing Accountability Group (WAG) for Early-Stage Faculty in Drug Use and HIV Research: A Mixed Methods Approach

HIV-Stigmatizing Beliefs and Attitudes as a Barrier to Early PrEP Care Continuum Engagement Among People Who Inject Drugs

PrEP Stigma and Early PrEP Care Continuum Outcomes Among People Who Inject Drugs in Los Angeles and Denver

The geography of risk: understanding disparities in nonmedical opioid mortality and the role of socio-built environments in New Jersey

“Keep them off the scaffolding!”: A qualitative study of substance use and harm reduction among construction workers in New York City

"It's Whack, It's Not Gonna Work": Feasibility of Sociocentric Network Recruitment for Interventions Among Black, Latine, and Caribbean Priority Populations in New York City

"Once You're Labeled a Drug User, You Might as Well Stay the F*** Home": Adverse Police Experiences Among People Who Inject Drugs

Depression among people living with tuberculosis and tuberculosis/HIV coinfection in Ukraine : a cross-sectional study

Depression among people living with tuberculosis and tuberculosis/HIV coinfection in Ukraine: a cross-sectional study

Depression and anxiety among people living with HIV and key populations at risk for HIV in the Eastern European and Central Asian region: a scoping review

Pashalishvili, M., Zurashvili, T., Imerlishvili, E., Salnikova, A., Ompad, D. C., & Djibuti, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

BMJ public health

Volume

3

Issue

2

Page(s)

e002114

Abstract

Abstract

This scoping review aimed to map the literature on depression and anxiety among people living with HIV and key populations in the Eastern European and Central Asian (EECA) region. The review assessed the burden of these disorders, identified inconsistencies in measurement approaches and highlighted gaps to inform future research and policy efforts.

Genetic Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 Deletions and Their Impact on Malaria Interventions in Odisha, India

Harms associated with injecting in public spaces: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Macro-level determinants of gender differences in the prevalence of major depression and alcohol use disorder in the United States and across Europe

Prevalence of dignity denial among people who inject drugs in Los Angeles, California and Denver, Colorado

Studies on cognitive performance among older people living with HIV in eastern Europe and central Asia: a scoping review

Imerlishvili, E., Gustafson, D. R., Pashalishvili, M., Ompad, D. C., & Djibuti, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

BMJ open

Volume

15

Issue

6

Page(s)

e094427

Abstract

Abstract

Despite the growth of the population of older people living with HIV (PLWH), data on cognitive disorders among older PLWH, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are scarce. These data are especially underrepresented in the literature from eastern Europe and central Asia (EECA).

“Even in death they discriminate against you”: A qualitative study of intersectional stigma and HIV care among Black, Latiné, and Caribbean SGM in New York City

"He's used drugs - he's biased! He's not a drug user - what would he know!": A cross-sectional, online study of drug researchers' experiential knowledge of drug use and disclosure

Ompad, D. C., Shrader, C.-H. H., Snyder, K. M., Netherland, J., Vakharia, S. P., & Walker, I. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

Drug and alcohol dependence reports

Volume

12

Page(s)

100256

Abstract

Abstract

Despite the recognized value of experiential knowledge, drug use and disclosure of drug use within the drug research community is rarely discussed or studied.

The impact of the 2014 military conflict in the east of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea among patients receiving opioid agonist therapies

Creation and Validation of a New Socio-built Environment Index Measure of Opioid Overdose Risk for Use in Both Non-urban and Urban Settings

Evaluating the effect heterogeneity of malaria camp interventions in hard-to-reach areas of Odisha State, India

How the rural risk environment underpins hepatitis C risk : Qualitative findings from rural southern Illinois, United States

I Don’t Believe a Person Has to Die When Trying to Get High : Overdose Prevention and Response Strategies in Rural Illinois

The effectiveness of malaria camps as part of the malaria control program in Odisha, India

The effectiveness of malaria camps as part of the malaria control program in Odisha, India