Farzana Kapadia
Farzana Kapadia
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Professor of Epidemiology
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Professional overview
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Dr. Farzana Kapadia is Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at the NYU School of Global Public Health and at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health. Dr. Kapadia is also affiliated with the Institute of Human Development and Social Change and Population Center at NYU.
Dr. Kapadia has long standing research interests in understanding the social and structural drivers of HIV/STIs as well as sexual and reproductive health outcomes in underserved and marginalized populations. Dr. Kapadia has over 20 years of experience in the design, development, and implementation of observational studies and HIV/STI intervention and prevention trials in underserved and marginalized populations in urban settings, both in the US and in Africa (Ghana and Kenya).
Dr. Kapadia has a passion for teaching and mentoring. She teaches the core Epidemiology for in-coming MPH students and has also taught key epidemiology courses, including Intermediate Epidemiology and Outbreak Epidemiology at GPH as well as an HIV-related course at NYU London. The overarching goal of Dr. Kapadia’s teaching is to train students to become epidemiologists and public health practitioners who are critical and creative thinkers as well as champions and advocates for inclusive solutions to our local and global public health challenges.
In addition to her research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Kapadia serves as the Deputy Editor for the American Journal of Public Health.
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Education
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BS, Biology and History, SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton, NYMPH, Community Public Health, New York University, New York, NYPhD, Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Honors and awards
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Excellence in Public Health Faculty Award, New York University (2012)Steinhardt Goddard Award (2011)Community Collaborative Award, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development (2009)Elected Member, American College of Epidemiology (2007)
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Areas of research and study
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Behavioral Determinants of HealthBehavioral ScienceEpidemiologyHIV/AIDSReproductive HealthSocial BehaviorsSocial Determinants of HealthSocial epidemiologySubstance Abuse
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Publications
Publications
Editorial Note
Kapadia, F. (n.d.). In American journal of public health (1–).Publication year
2022Volume
112Issue
2Page(s)
E2-E3Ending Homelessness and Advancing Health Equity: A Public Health of Consequence, March 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
3Page(s)
372-373Food Insecurity, Financial Hardship, and Mental Health among Multiple Asian American Ethnic Groups: Findings from the 2020 COVID-19 Household Impact Survey
AbstractIslam, J. Y., Awan, I., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Health EquityVolume
6Issue
1Page(s)
435-447AbstractBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the financial and mental well-being of U.S. adults, however, Asian American (AA)-specific data are lacking, particularly disaggregated by AA ethnicity. Our objective was to evaluate food insecurity (FI), financial hardship, and mental health among disaggregated AA ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from the COVID-19 Household Impact Survey, a sample of 10,760 U.S. adults weighted to reflect the U.S. population (weighted n: 418,209,893). AA ethnic categories were based on self-report (n=312, 5.1%; weighted n: 21,143,079) and provided as follows: Chinese American, South Asian, Filipino+Vietnamese, and Japanese+Korean. We estimated the prevalence of FI and financial hardship across AA ethnic categories. We estimated the demographic determinants of FI, including financial hardship, among AA adults using multivariable Poisson regression. We calculated the prevalence of mental health symptoms among food-insecure AA adults, as well as among AA adults experiencing both FI and financial hardship. Results: Overall, the prevalence of FI and financial hardship among AA adults was highest among Filipino+Vietnamese adults (52.9-24.5%) and lowest among Japanese+Korean adults (13.9-8.6%). Determinants of FI among AA adults included Filipino+Vietnamese ethnicity (adjusted prevalence ratios [aPR]: 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-5.29), being widowed/divorced/separated (aPR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.37-7.23), high school graduate only (aPR: 3.46, 95% CI: 1.96-6.11), having low income <$30,000 (aPR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.27-5.06), and living in rural areas (aPR: 7.65, 95% CI: 1.17-50.14). Eighty-one percent and 63% of AA adults with anxiety and hopelessness at least 3-7 days/week, respectively, were food insecure and experiencing financial hardship. Conclusion: Disparities exist in FI and financial hardship among AA adults, particularly Filipino+Vietnamese adults, and are associated with increased self-reporting of feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.Incarceration, Social Support Networks, and Health among Black Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: Evidence from the HPTN 061 Study
AbstractScheidell, J. D., Kapadia, F., Turpin, R. E., Mazumdar, M., Dyer, T. V., Feelemyer, J., Cleland, C. M., Brewer, R., Parker, S. D., Irvine, N. M., Remch, M., Mayer, K. H., & Khan, M. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
International journal of environmental research and public healthVolume
19Issue
19AbstractSupport from social networks buffers against negative effects of stress but is disrupted by incarceration. Few studies examine incarceration, social support networks, and health among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and Black transgender women (BTW). We conducted a secondary analysis using HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 (HPTN 061), a sample of BSMM/BTW recruited from six US cities. We measured associations between recent incarceration reported at six months follow-up and social support networks at twelve months follow-up, and cross-sectional associations between support networks and twelve-month health outcomes (e.g., sexual partnerships, substance use, healthcare access and depressive symptoms). Among the analytic sample (N = 1169), recent incarceration was associated with small medical support networks (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.16, 95% CI 1.01, 1.34) and small financial support networks (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04, 1.35). Support networks were associated with multiple partnerships (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.65, 0.90), unhealthy alcohol use (aPR 1.20, 95% CI 0.96, 1.51), and depressive symptoms (aPR 1.16, 95% CI 0.99, 1.36). Incarceration adversely impacts social support networks of BSMM/BTW, and support networks were associated with a range of important health outcomes.Monkeypox, After HIV/AIDS and COVID-19: Suggestions for Collective Action and a Public Health of Consequence, November 2022
Landers, S., Kapadia, F., & Tarantola, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
11Page(s)
1564-1566Predictors of Anal High-Risk HPV Infection Across Time in a Cohort of Young Adult Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women in New York City, 2015–2020
AbstractLoSchiavo, C., D’Avanzo, P. A., Emmert, C., Krause, K. D., Ompad, D. C., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American Journal of Men's HealthVolume
16Issue
4AbstractCisgender sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women are disproportionately vulnerable to HPV-related anal cancer, but little is known about longitudinal predictors of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection in this population. As such, this analysis aims to identify factors associated with incident anal hrHPV infection in a diverse cohort of young SMM and transgender women. This study of HPV infection, nested within a larger cohort study, took place between October 2015 and January 2020. Participants completed a brief computer survey assessing HPV symptomatology, risk, and prevention alongside multi-site testing, in addition to biannual cohort study assessments. In the analytic sample of 137 participants, 31.6% tested positive for an anal hrHPV infection, with 27.0% and 29.9% testing positive for incident anal hrHPV infections at Visits 2 and 3, respectively. When adjusting for time between study visits, participants had significantly greater odds of incident anal hrHPV at Visit 2 if they had a concurrent HSV infection (AOR = 5.08 [1.43, 18.00]). At Visit 3, participants had significantly greater odds of incident anal hrHPV infection if they reported a greater number of sex partners in the previous month (AOR = 1.25 [1.03, 1.51]). Prevalence of cancer-causing HPV at baseline was high and many participants tested positive for additional types of anal hrHPV at subsequent visits. Risk for newly detected anal hrHPV infection was significantly associated with biological and behavioral factors. Our findings strongly indicate a need for programs to increase uptake of HPV vaccination and provide HPV-related health education for sexual and gender minorities.Reproductive Justice Matters: A Public Health of Consequence, August 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
8Page(s)
1107-1109SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS ACROSS ASIAN AMERICAN ETHNIC GROUPS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AbstractIslam, J. Y., Awan, I., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Ethnicity and DiseaseVolume
32Issue
2Page(s)
131-144AbstractBackground: To examine social engagement and mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic across Asian American (AA) ethnic groups. Methods: Data from three waves of the nationally representative COVID-19 Household Impact Survey (4/20/2020-6/8/2020) were used to describe social engagement and mental health symptoms during the pandemic. Associations between mental health and social engagement were assessed via multinomial logistic regression. Results: In this sample of 312 AAs (36.9% Chinese American, 30.9% South Asian American, 20.1% Filipino/Vietnamese American, and 12.0% Japanese/Korean American), daily communication with neighbors declined for Chinese, South Asian and Filipino/Vietnamese Americans but increased for Japanese/Korean Americans (P= .012) whereas communication with friends/family increased only for Filipino/Vietnamese, Japanese/Korean and South Asian Americans (P<0.001). Differences in self-reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness were observed across AA ethnic groups. In adjusted models, lower social engagement was associated with frequent (3-4 days/week) depressive symptoms during the preceding week (cOR:3.26, 95%CI:1.01-10.5). This association was heightened for Asian men (cOR:14.22, 95%CI:3.62-55.8). Conclusions: Heterogeneity of social engagement and mental health symptoms across AA ethnicities was observed. Understanding associations between social engagement and mental health within different communities is necessary to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health treatment and care.Structural Interventions That Reduce HIV Vulnerability: A Public Health of Consequence, June 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
6Page(s)
826-827Supporting Local Public Health Departments: A Public Health of Consequence, January 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
1Page(s)
12-13The Future of the Public Health Data Dashboard
Dasgupta, N., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
6Page(s)
886-888The Global Opioid Overdose Crisis
De Camargo, K. R., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Page(s)
S93Vaccine Solidarity Requires Social Justice: A Public Health of Consequence, February 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
2Page(s)
202-203Violence and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health of Consequence, May 2022
Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
5Page(s)
706-7081981-2021: HIV and Our World
Landers, S., Kapadia, F., & Bowleg, L. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
111Issue
7Page(s)
1180-1182All Not Quiet (but Quite Well) on the AJPH Bibliometric Front
Costanza, M. C., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
111Issue
2Page(s)
173Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study
AbstractStults, C. B., Javdani, S., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Journal of Interpersonal ViolenceVolume
36Issue
15Page(s)
7018-7042AbstractIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an understudied health problem among young gay, bisexual, and other non-identified young men who have sex with men (YMSM). According to cross-sectional studies, IPV is associated with psychosocial and mental health problems, such as stigma and depression, among YMSM. IPV is also associated with health-risk behaviors, such as substance use, among this population. Yet, to date, no studies have used longitudinal data to examine determinants of IPV among YMSM. This gap in the extant literature is problematic, as it limits our understanding of how to intervene to interrupt cycles of violence. The aim of the present study was to examine longitudinal determinants of IPV among a sample of (N = 526) YMSM living in the New York City area. Longitudinal analyses using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to examine individual, relationship, mental health, psychosocial, and substance use factors in relation to IPV victimization and perpetration. Most notably, early experiences of IPV were a robust predictor of later experiences of IPV victimization and perpetration. Relationship status, depression, public gay-related stigma, and illicit substance use were associated with IPV victimization over time. Similarly, relationship status, depression, public gay-related stigma, marijuana, and other illicit substance were associated with IPV perpetration. These findings suggest that prevention programs and awareness campaigns should aim to reach YMSM before their first experiences of relationship violence, as these early experiences of violence are strongly linked to later experiences of violence. Also, IPV interventions should be tailored to the needs of YMSM and should target depressive symptoms, gay-related stigma, and substance use behaviors. Additionally, substance use interventions may be improved by addressing IPV. Finally, policymakers should support policies that improve the social climate for LGBTQ people, thereby reducing gay-related stigma, and potentially stemming violence against and among YMSM.Racial and ethnic disparities in "stop-and-frisk" experience among young sexual minority men in New York City
AbstractKhan, M. R., Kapadia, F., Geller, A., Mazumdar, M., Scheidell, J. D., Krause, K. D., Martino, R. J., Cleland, C. M., Dyer, T. V., Ompad, D. C., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
PloS oneVolume
16Issue
8AbstractAlthough racial/ethnic disparities in police contact are well documented, less is known about other dimensions of inequity in policing. Sexual minority groups may face disproportionate police contact. We used data from the P18 Cohort Study (Version 2), a study conducted to measure determinants of inequity in STI/HIV risk among young sexual minority men (YSMM) in New York City, to measure across-time trends, racial/ethnic disparities, and correlates of self-reported stop-and-frisk experience over the cohort follow-up (2014-2019). Over the study period, 43% reported stop-and-frisk with higher levels reported among Black (47%) and Hispanic/Latinx (45%) than White (38%) participants. Stop-and-frisk levels declined over follow-up for each racial/ethnic group. The per capita rates among P18 participants calculated based on self-reported stop-and-frisk were much higher than rates calculated based on New York City Police Department official counts. We stratified respondents' ZIP codes of residence into tertiles of per capita stop rates and observed pronounced disparities in Black versus White stop-and-frisk rates, particularly in neighborhoods with low or moderate levels of stop-and-frisk activity. YSMM facing the greatest economic vulnerability and mental disorder symptoms were most likely to report stop-and-frisk. Among White respondents levels of past year stop-and-frisk were markedly higher among those who reported past 30 day marijuana use (41%) versus those reporting no use (17%) while among Black and Hispanic/Latinx respondents stop-and-frisk levels were comparable among those reporting marijuana use (38%) versus those reporting no use (31%). These findings suggest inequity in policing is observed not only among racial/ethnic but also sexual minority groups and that racial/ethnic YSMM, who are at the intersection of multiple minority statuses, face disproportionate risk. Because the most socially vulnerable experience disproportionate stop-and-frisk risk, we need to reach YSMM with community resources to promote health and wellbeing as an alternative to targeting this group with stressful and stigmatizing police exposure.Social Justice for Marginalized Communities
Borrell, L. N., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
111Issue
8Page(s)
1366Was Your Copy of AJPH Late?
Benjamin, G. C., Morabia, A., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
111Issue
10Page(s)
1710Dental radiographs for age estimation in us asylum seekers: Methodological, ethical, and health issues
AbstractKapadia, F., Stevens, J., & Silver, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
110Issue
12Page(s)
1786-1789AbstractUnaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum status in the United States are often forced to undergo dental radiographs, or x-rays, to verify that they are younger than 18 years. The application of third molar dental radiographs is methodologically flawed and should not be employed as a determinant of chronological age. Furthermore, the use of such tests without obtaining informed consent from either the youth or an objective advocate is unethical. Finally, the legal and health consequences of these inappropriately applied tests are severe and jeopardize the safety and security of these vulnerable minors.Ending the HIV Epidemic: Getting to Zero AND Staying at Zero
Kapadia, F., & Landers, S. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
110Issue
1Page(s)
15-16Healthcare experiences of urban young adult lesbians
AbstractGriffin, M., Jaiswal, J., Krytusa, D., Krause, K. D., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Women's HealthVolume
16AbstractPurpose: This cross-sectional study of young adult lesbians explores their healthcare experiences including having a primary care provider, forgone care, knowledge of where to obtain Pap testing, and sexually transmitted infection testing. Methods: Quantitative surveys were conducted at lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender venues and events with a sample of 100 young adult lesbians in New York City between June and October 2016. Using the Andersen model of healthcare access, this study examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics and healthcare experiences using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Having a primary care provider was associated with having health insurance (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.9, p < 0.05). Both insurance (AOR = 0.2, p < 0.05) and employment (AOR = 0.2, p < 0.05) status were protective against foregone care among young adult lesbians. Disclosure of sexual orientation to a provider improved knowledge of where to access Pap testing (AOR = 7.5, p < 0.05). Disclosure of sexual orientation to friends and family improved knowledge of where to access sexually transmitted infection testing (AOR = 3.6, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors are significantly associated with healthcare access among young adult lesbians in New York City. Maintaining non-discrimination protections for both healthcare services and insurance coverage are important for this population. In addition, financial subsidies that lower the cost of health insurance coverage may also help improve healthcare access among young adult lesbians.Healthcare usage and satisfaction among young adult gay men in New York city
AbstractGriffin, M., Cahill, S., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social ServicesVolume
32Issue
4Page(s)
531-551AbstractSatisfaction greatly impacts decisions about where and how to access healthcare. This cross-sectional study uses data gathered from young adult gay men in New York City. Findings indicate that participants who experienced discrimination in a healthcare setting were less likely to prefer coordinated healthcare. Participants who disclosed their sexual orientation and were comfortable discussing sexual activity with their provider were more likely to agree that their healthcare needs were adequately addressed. The healthcare system does not fully address the healthcare needs of gay men. Preferences for coordination of care, nondisclosure of sexual orientation, and low levels of satisfaction with services further discourage healthcare usage among this population.Misinformation, Gendered Perceptions, and Low Healthcare Provider Communication Around HPV and the HPV Vaccine Among Young Sexual Minority Men in New York City: The P18 Cohort Study
AbstractJaiswal, J., LoSchiavo, C., Maiolatesi, A., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Community HealthVolume
45Issue
4Page(s)
702-711AbstractHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection among adults in the United States, and can cause several types of cancer. This is of particular concern for sexual minority men, as their increased risk of HIV acquisition increases risk for HPV and HPV-associated cancers, particularly when coupled with low rates of HPV vaccination. As part of a larger study of the syndemic of HIV, substance use, and mental health among young sexual minority men in New York City, we sought to explore what sexual minority men know about HPV and the HPV vaccine, along with their experiences have been communicating about the virus and vaccine. We interviewed 38 young sexual minority men with diverse sociodemographic characteristics and identified three main themes: low knowledge about HPV infection and vaccination, highly gendered misconceptions about HPV only affecting women, and lack of communication from healthcare providers about HPV. The prevalence of incorrect HPV knowledge, coupled with inadequate education and vaccination in healthcare settings, indicates a missed opportunity for HPV prevention in a high-risk and high-need population.