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Farzana Kapadia

Farzana Kapadia

Farzana Kapadia

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Professor of Epidemiology

Director of Undergraduate Programs

Professional overview

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.

Education

BS, Biology and History, SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton, NY
MPH, Community Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
PhD, Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY

Honors and awards

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)

Areas of research and study

Behavioral Determinants of Health
Behavioral Science
Epidemiology
HIV/AIDS
Reproductive Health
Social Behaviors
Social Determinants of Health
Social epidemiology
Substance Abuse

Publications

Publications

Protecting and Promoting Adolescent Health : A Public Health of Consequence, March 2023

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

3

Page(s)

249-250
Abstract
Abstract
~

Public Health Data of the People, by the People, for the People : A Public Health of Consequence, June 2023

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

6

Page(s)

618-619
Abstract
Abstract
~

Public Health Practice and Health Equity for Vulnerable Workers : A Public Health of Consequence, May 2023

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

5

Page(s)

480-481
Abstract
Abstract
~

Structural Racism and Health Inequities : Moving From Evidence to Action

Kapadia, F., & Borrell, L. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

S1

Page(s)

S6-S9
Abstract
Abstract
~

Structural Racism and Public Health

Kapadia, F., & Borrell, L. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

S1

Page(s)

S4
Abstract
Abstract
~

Sustaining PrEP Prescriptions at a Safety-Net Hospital in New York City During COVID-19 : Lessons Learned

Pitts, R. A., Ban, K., Greene, R. E., Kapadia, F., & Braithwaite, R. S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

AIDS and Behavior
Abstract
Abstract
To understand the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on PrEP services, we reviewed PrEP prescriptions at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue from July 2019 through July 2021. PrEP prescriptions were examined as PrEP person-equivalents (PrEP PE) in order to account for the variable time of refill duration (i.e., 1–3 months). To assess “PrEP coverage”, we calculated PrEP medication possession ratios (MPR) while patients were under study observation. Pre-clinic closure, mean PrEP PE = 244.2 (IQR 189.2, 287.5; median = 252.5) were observed. Across levels of clinic closures, mean PrEP PE = 247.3, (IQR 215.5, 265.4; median = 219.9) during 100% clinic closure, 255.4 (IQR 224, 284.3; median = 249.0) during 80% closure, and 274.6 (IQR 273.0, 281.0; median = 277.2) during 50% closure were observed. Among patients continuously prescribed PrEP pre-COVID-19, the mean MPR mean declined from 83% (IQR 72–100%; median = 100%) to 63% (IQR 35–97%; median = 66%) after the onset of COVID-19. For patients newly initiated on PrEP after the onset of COVID-19, the mean MPR was 73% (IQR 41–100%; median = 100%). Our ability to sustain PrEP provisions, as measured by both PrEP PE and MPR, can likely be attributed to our pre-COVID-19 system for PrEP delivery, which emphasizes navigation, same-day initiation, and primary care integration. In the era of COVID-19 as well as future unforeseen healthcare disruptions, PrEP programs must be robust and flexible in order to sustain PrEP delivery.

Women, Life, Freedom : A Public Health of Consequence, February 2023

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

2

Page(s)

144-145
Abstract
Abstract
~

Abortion Care Is Health Care : A Public Health of Consequence, September 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

9

Page(s)

1242-1244
Abstract
Abstract
~

Bringing an Equity Lens to Address the Evolving Overdose Crisis : A Public Health of Consequence, April 2023

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

113

Issue

4

Page(s)

359-360
Abstract
Abstract
~

Capturing missed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis opportunities—sexually transmitted infection diagnoses in the emergency department

Mclaughlin, S. E., Kapadia, F., Greene, R. E., & Pitts, R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

International Journal of STD and AIDS

Volume

33

Issue

3

Page(s)

242-246
Abstract
Abstract
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) be considered for all patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Emergency departments (EDs) are an important site for diagnosis and treatment of STIs for under-served populations. Consequently, we identified 377 patients diagnosed with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or syphilis) at a major New York City emergency department between 1/1/2014 and 7/30/2017 to examine associations between key sociodemographic characteristics and missed opportunities for PrEP provision. In this sample, 299 (79%) emergency department patients missed their medical follow-up 90 days after STI diagnosis, as recommended. Results from adjusted generalized estimating equation regression models indicate that patients >45 yo (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.9) and those with a primary care provider in the hospital system (aOR = 6.8, 95% CI 3.8–12.0) were more likely to return for follow-up visits, whereas Black patients (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.77) were less likely to return for follow-up visits. These findings indicate that lack of STI treatment follow-up visits are significantly missed opportunities for PrEP provision and comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus prevention care.

Chronic comorbidities in persons living with HIV within three years of exposure to antiretroviral therapy at Pantang Antiretroviral Center in Ghana : a retrospective study

Kotey, M., Alhassan, Y., Adomako, J., Nunoo-Mensah, G., Kapadia, F., & Sarfo, B. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

Pan African Medical Journal

Volume

42

Issue

294

Page(s)

1-21
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in care are associated with increased life expectancy but increased the risk of comorbid conditions in persons living with HIV (PLWH) and taking antiretroviral drugs. This study describes comorbid conditions among PLWH in Ghana. Methods: PLWH (n=222) out of a sample population of 900, randomly selected at Pantang ART Center participated in the study from June to July of 2020. Socio-demographic characteristics, HIV biomarkers, medication type and adherence, and diagnostic confirmed chronic conditions were extracted from medical records of PLWH. Cox proportional-hazard models and Kaplan-Meier curves graphing risk of experiencing comorbid conditions were performed. Log-rank test was performed at p

Confronting and Ending Food Insecurity During and Beyond the Pandemic : A Public Health of Consequence, July 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

7

Page(s)

962-964
Abstract
Abstract
~

Editorial Note

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

2

Page(s)

e2-e3
Abstract
Abstract
~

Ending Homelessness and Advancing Health Equity : A Public Health of Consequence, March 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

3

Page(s)

372-373
Abstract
Abstract
~

Erratum : Conflicts of interest (American Journal of Public Health)

Kapadia, F., de Camargo, K. R., Hansen, H. B., Jauffret-Roustide, M., McNeil, R., & Suhail-Sindhu, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Page(s)

S94
Abstract
Abstract
F. Kapadia and K. R. de Camargo Jr oversaw peer reviewer selection and evaluated peer reviews, and Alfredo Morabia, AJPH Editor-in-Chief, made final decisions on editorials selected for inclusion in the supplement. All editors jointly reviewed the main research articles, and commissioned and invited the accompanying editorials. Ryan McNeil, Marie Jauffret-Roustide, and Helena Hansen authored the introductory editorial "Reducing Drug-Related Harms and Promoting Health Justice Worldwide During and After COVID-19: An AJPH Supplement".

Food Insecurity, Financial Hardship, and Mental Health among Multiple Asian American Ethnic Groups : Findings from the 2020 COVID-19 Household Impact Survey

Islam, J. Y., Awan, I., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

Health Equity

Volume

6

Issue

1

Page(s)

435-447
Abstract
Abstract
Background: 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

Gun Control for Health : A Public Health of Consequence, December 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

12

Page(s)

1710-1712
Abstract
Abstract
~

Incarceration, Social Support Networks, and Health among Black Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women : Evidence from the HPTN 061 Study

Scheidell, 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

2022

Journal title

International journal of environmental research and public health

Volume

19

Issue

19
Abstract
Abstract
Support 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

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

11

Page(s)

1564-1566
Abstract
Abstract
~

Predictors 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

LoSchiavo, C., D’Avanzo, P. A., Emmert, C., Krause, K. D., Ompad, D. C., Kapadia, F., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American Journal of Men's Health

Volume

16

Issue

4
Abstract
Abstract
Cisgender 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

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

8

Page(s)

1107-1109
Abstract
Abstract
~

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS ACROSS ASIAN AMERICAN ETHNIC GROUPS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Islam, J. Y., Awan, I., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

Ethnicity and Disease

Volume

32

Issue

2

Page(s)

131-144
Abstract
Abstract
Background: 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

Structural Interventions That Reduce HIV Vulnerability : A Public Health of Consequence, June 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

6

Page(s)

826-827
Abstract
Abstract
~

Supporting Local Public Health Departments : A Public Health of Consequence, January 2022

Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

1

Page(s)

12-13
Abstract
Abstract
~

The Future of the Public Health Data Dashboard

Dasgupta, N., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

112

Issue

6

Page(s)

886-888
Abstract
Abstract
~

Contact

farzana.kapadia@nyu.edu 708 Broadway New York, NY, 10003