Melody Goodman
Melody Goodman
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Dean, School of Global Public Health
Professor of Biostatistics
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Professional overview
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Dr. Melody S. Goodman is a biostatistician and research methodologist. Her work is anchored upon moving beyond defining problems and focuses on developing solutions using partner-engaged research approaches. Dr. Goodman’s research efforts seek to develop a more rigorous understanding of the social risk factors contributing to urban health outcomes. Her work aims to develop solutions for improving health in high-risk populations. She conducts translational research that bridges the gap between research and practice. Through rigorous attention to study design, measurement, and the use of cutting-edge statistical analysis methods, her contributions have spanned the areas of prevention, treatment, intervention, and policy.
Dr. Goodman led the team that developed and comprehensively evaluated the Research Engagement Survey Tool, a quantitative survey measure to assess the level of partner engagement in research studies from the non-academic partner perspective. With numerous funders supporting her work (e.g., National Institutes of Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and Susan G. Komen), she has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and two books (2018 Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group): 1) Public Health Research Methods for Partnerships and Practice and 2) Biostatistics for Clinical and Public Health Research, which now has a second edition (2026 Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group). She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, New York Academy of Medicine, and the inaugural recipient of the Societal Impact Award from the Caucus for Women in Statistics.
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Education
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BS, Economics and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NYMS, Biostatistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MAPhD, Biostatistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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Honors and awards
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Fellow, American Statistical Association (2021)Societal Impact Award, Caucus for Women in Statistics (2021)Network Builder Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Connections (2019)Siteman Cancer Center “Rock Doc” (2013)Satcher Health Leadership Institute - Morehouse School of Medicine, Community Health Leadership Institute Intensive Cohort II (2013)Women of the Year - Health, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - Suffolk Chapter (2010)President’s Award for Teaching Excellence - Stony Brook University (2009)President’s Award for Excellence in Team Achievement - Stony Brook University (2008)
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Areas of research and study
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BiostatisticsCommunity HealthCommunity-based Participatory ResearchDissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based ProgramsQuantitative Research
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Publications
Publications
"The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358)."The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractRhodes-Bratton, B., Goodman, M., Williams, N. J., Shelley, D., Gill, E., Anastasiou, E., Reiss, J., Punter, M. A., Wallach, A., & Thorpe, L. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
116Issue
4Page(s)
431-436AbstractWe evaluated the effectiveness of a community research partnership focused on improving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for New York City residents during the pandemic. We employed interviews, a focus group, and a survey to evaluate partnership characteristics, engagement, and future collaboration. Qualitative analysis revealed five core themes: committee identity, collective goals, information sharing, adaptability, and trust. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility, shared goals, diverse representation, open communication, and trust in effective multisector community health partnerships. ( 2026;116(4):431-436. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308358).Aggregated 50-State, Regional, and State-Level Trends in State and Local Government Health Employees in the U.S. From 2000 Through 2023
AbstractWei, L., Goodman, M., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
AJPM focusVolume
5Issue
2Page(s)
100462AbstractThe authors investigated trends in U.S. state and local government health employees per million persons at the aggregated 50-state, regional, and state levels.Co-Developed Community-Based Health Interventions with Children Under 18 and Families Experiencing Homelessness in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
AbstractRosenthal, D. M. M., Kubik, J., Loureiro, S., Guastaferro, K., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
HealthcareVolume
14Issue
4AbstractDespite the implementation of numerous evidence-based interventions, the 2024 Point-in-Time count in the United States (U.S.) reported that 259,473 people in families with children under 18 years old were experiencing homelessness, a record high since the count began in 2007. Recent findings suggest that co-developed interventions may increase engagement with vulnerable populations and, in turn, the effectiveness of health-based programs among them.Co-Developed Community-Based Health Interventions with Children Under 18 and Families Experiencing Homelessness in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
AbstractRosenthal, D. M. M., Kubik, J., Loureiro, S., Guastaferro, K., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)Volume
14Issue
4AbstractDespite the implementation of numerous evidence-based interventions, the 2024 Point-in-Time count in the United States (U.S.) reported that 259,473 people in families with children under 18 years old were experiencing homelessness, a record high since the count began in 2007. Recent findings suggest that co-developed interventions may increase engagement with vulnerable populations and, in turn, the effectiveness of health-based programs among them.Co-developing SHELTER (Safe, Healthy Environments and Local Transformation for Equity and Resilience) with families with lived experience of homelessness in the New York City shelter system: A community needs assessment and data collection protocol
AbstractRosenthal, D. M. M., Guastaferro, K., Kubik, J., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
PloS ONEVolume
21Issue
1Page(s)
e0341718AbstractIn January 2025, the nightly census revealed that over 120,000 people were staying in New York City (NYC) shelters, including more than 41,000 children, of whom almost half were aged 0-5 years. Children under five years old (under-5s) experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable because the first five years of life are a critical period for child growth, including approximately 90% of brain development. Furthermore, under-5s experiencing homelessness have a higher risk for multiple adverse childhood experiences, developing chronic health conditions, and recurrent homelessness across the life course. Data available for under-5s experiencing homelessness is generally lacking, and what is available is of notably poor quality in the United States, leaving a wide evidence gap and an inability to determine the actual needs of this population. This proposed protocol employs community-based participatory research and was co-developed with families with under-5s who have lived experience of homelessness in NYC shelters. The aim is to determine what barriers exist in the physical and social environments to optimizing health and wellbeing (e.g., milestones, child mental health, parental mental health, safety) among under-5s living in NYC shelters. Using a sequential mixed-methods design, we propose to address a gap in the current literature by conducting an assets- and deficits-based health needs assessment comprising a quantitative survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews. In the long term, our objective is to enhance the quality and quantity of data for this vulnerable population, thereby laying the groundwork for the future co-development of a comprehensive, optimized intervention addressing the needs of under-5s experiencing homelessness.Co-developing SHELTER (Safe, Healthy Environments and Local Transformation for Equity and Resilience) with families with lived experience of homelessness in the New York City shelter system: A community needs assessment and data collection protocol
AbstractRosenthal, D. M. M., Guastaferro, K., Kubik, J., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
PloS oneVolume
21Issue
1Page(s)
e0341718AbstractIn January 2025, the nightly census revealed that over 120,000 people were staying in New York City (NYC) shelters, including more than 41,000 children, of whom almost half were aged 0-5 years. Children under five years old (under-5s) experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable because the first five years of life are a critical period for child growth, including approximately 90% of brain development. Furthermore, under-5s experiencing homelessness have a higher risk for multiple adverse childhood experiences, developing chronic health conditions, and recurrent homelessness across the life course. Data available for under-5s experiencing homelessness is generally lacking, and what is available is of notably poor quality in the United States, leaving a wide evidence gap and an inability to determine the actual needs of this population. This proposed protocol employs community-based participatory research and was co-developed with families with under-5s who have lived experience of homelessness in NYC shelters. The aim is to determine what barriers exist in the physical and social environments to optimizing health and wellbeing (e.g., milestones, child mental health, parental mental health, safety) among under-5s living in NYC shelters. Using a sequential mixed-methods design, we propose to address a gap in the current literature by conducting an assets- and deficits-based health needs assessment comprising a quantitative survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews. In the long term, our objective is to enhance the quality and quantity of data for this vulnerable population, thereby laying the groundwork for the future co-development of a comprehensive, optimized intervention addressing the needs of under-5s experiencing homelessness.Effective Narratives and Strategies from Successful Social Change Movements to Inform Public Health
AbstractGilbert, K. L., Joyner, D., Pirbaksh, A., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Annual review of public healthVolume
47Issue
1Page(s)
197-213AbstractRacism is an underlying cause of health inequities and is entrenched in health systems, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Advancing health equity requires reimagining health systems to uproot racism from health-related policymaking. Racism, in its systemic, cultural, and interpersonal forms, remains a significant threat to health equity, a barrier to reform, and a public health crisis. This review draws lessons from US social movements-including tobacco control, sexual and gender minority rights, criminal justice reform, civil rights, and reproductive justice-to identify effective strategies for change. Drawing on key theories, typologies, and insights from the literature, we examine how organizing, messaging, and mobilization have shaped narratives, have fostered public will, and have driven policy reform. Prior movements can serve as a guide for the development and implementation of a social change movement aimed at addressing racism in public health.Ghost gun recovery and firearm deaths in California, 2014-2023
AbstractBather, J. R., Mauri, A. I., Lindenfeld, Z., Rouhani, S., Chen, R., Fang, J., Pagán, J. A., Silver, D., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Journal of epidemiology and community healthAbstractWe investigated whether ghost gun recovery rates are significantly associated with firearm mortality rates in the following year across California's 58 counties from 2014 to 2023.Health Literacy and Awareness of Family Health History in the All of Us Research Program
AbstractBather, J. R., Goodman, M., Cook, S. H., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Public health genomicsVolume
29Issue
1Page(s)
1-9AbstractA 2016 study showed that limited health literacy was associated with lower awareness of family health history. However, this analysis was conducted among adult patients in St. Louis, Missouri, thereby warranting broader replication.Higher levels of naloxone protection are associated with lower risk-taking: A longitudinal analysis of New York City residents using unprescribed opioids
AbstractElliott, L., Harris, A., Crasta, D., Goodman, M., Chen, Y., Rouhani, S., Frank, D., Bather, J. R., & Bennett, A. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Drug and alcohol dependenceVolume
278Page(s)
112989AbstractTo apply risk compensation theory to naloxone peer access and evaluate whether reported naloxone protection-having naloxone and someone to administer it present when using unprescribed opioids-correlated with greater opioid overdose risk behaviors.Insights From Black Living Kidney Donors: An Interview Study on APOL1 Genetic Testing Experiences
AbstractIltis, A. S., Walsh, H. A., Baldwin, K., McIntosh, T., Mohan, S., Sawinski, D., Goodman, M., & DuBois, J. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Clinical transplantationVolume
40Issue
2Page(s)
e70482AbstractTransplant center practices regarding APOL1 testing of living kidney donor candidates vary. The experiences, beliefs, and preferences of living kidney donors who have undergone APOL1 testing can provide valuable insights for transplant programs to consider when developing APOL1 testing policies.Neighborhood Opportunity and Genetic Literacy in a Representative Sample of US Adults
AbstractBather, J. R., Goodman, M., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention ResearchAbstractResearch shows that genetic literacy varies as a function of individual-level factors, but these factors may not account for all observed differences in genetic literacy. We tested the hypothesis that neighborhood opportunity-a structural factor-is associated with genetic literacy. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data on a weighted sample of 606 US adults from the 2024 Measurement of Genetic Literacy Survey. The Genetic Literacy and Comprehension measure assessed genetic literacy ( = 0.87). The Childhood Opportunity Index 3.0 measured overall neighborhood opportunity and three domains (Education, Health and Environment, Social and Economic resources). Unadjusted and adjusted weighted linear regression models quantified the associations between neighborhood opportunity and genetic literacy. Among the weighted sample (mean age = 48, SD = 18), 52% were female, and 61% were as non-Hispanic White. Very low overall neighborhood opportunity was significantly associated with lower genetic literacy (β = - 0.70, 95% CI: - 1.40 to - 0.04, p = 0.037), adjusting for demographic characteristics, health-related factors, and receipt of genetic testing. We observed a similar pattern for exposure to very low social and economic resources (β = - 0.95, 95% CI: - 1.60 to - 0.31, p = 0.004). There was no evidence of a statistically significant association between the Health and Environment domain and genetic literacy in the final model (β = - 0.13, 95% CI: - 0.64 to - 0.38, p = 0.62). Findings indicate that neighborhood opportunity is associated with genetic literacy. These results reinforce the importance of assessing structural factors along with individual-level characteristics in genetic literacy research.Police Pursuit Fatality Rates in the US and Directions for Future Research
AbstractBather, J. R., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
JAMA network openVolume
9Issue
4Page(s)
e264349Abstract~Remote work and loneliness: Evidence from a nationally representative sample of employed U.S. adults
AbstractHe, T., Wei, L., Goodman, M., Pagán, J. A., Cuevas, A. G., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2026Journal title
Journal of affective disordersVolume
393Issue
Pt BPage(s)
120456AbstractTo examine whether remote workdays are associated with loneliness among employed adults in the United States.A comparison of methods for coding race in linear and logistic regression models
AbstractGoodman, M., Lopez, A., Murillo, A. L., & Pierce, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Annals of epidemiologyVolume
112Page(s)
15-22AbstractIn many public health and clinical research studies that use regression models for analyses, race is often considered a confounder and "controlled" for in the regression model with simple indicators for race and non-Hispanic White as the reference group, without much introspection from the data analyst. From a health equity perspective, multiple issues exist with this approach. We examine and compare several methods for coding race in linear and logistic regression models. We compare several coding methods using a sample of 8097 participants (≥18 years old) from the 2020 New York City Community Health Survey. To illustrate the importance of coding methods for race, we conducted regression analyses to compare the results from six coding approaches: dummy, simple effect, difference (forward and backward), deviation, and analyst-defined coding. Body mass index measured continuously and diabetes status measured dichotomously were the outcome variables in the linear and logistic regression models. Results showed that selecting a coding method has implications for identifying racial health inequities. The reference group selection is critical to measuring racial inequities in health outcomes. This study emphasizes the need to consider the impact of coding techniques on research study design, particularly when racial health inequities are the research focus.A nurse-led clinical practice model to increase healthcare reach among underserved families during public health emergencies: A randomized controlled trial
AbstractGuilamo-Ramos, V., Benzekri, A., Williams, D., Thimm-Kaiser, M., Wizentier, M. M. M., Goodman, M., Amezquita-Castro, B., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Nursing outlookVolume
73Issue
6Page(s)
102591AbstractLatino and Black families experience inequities in healthcare delivery, particularly during public health emergencies.A nurse-led clinical practice model to increase healthcare reach among underserved families during public health emergencies: A randomized controlled trial.
AbstractGuilamo-Ramos, V., Benzekri, A., Williams, D., Thimm-Kaiser, M., Mautner Wizentier, M., Goodman, M., Amezquita-Castro, B., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Nursing OutlookVolume
73Issue
6Abstract~