Nina S Parikh
Nina S. Parikh
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Clinical Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Professional overview
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Dr. Nina S. Parikh has years of public health research experience, methodological expertise, and academic training in health services research and medical sociology. A continuing theme of Dr. Parikh’s research involves the examination of social, psychosocial, and cultural factors related to the health needs of ethnic-racial populations and developing evidence-based strategies that address and mitigate health inequities for these and other underserved groups, in particular immigrants, the uninsured, those with inadequate health literacy, and the elderly.
At NYU GPH, Dr. Parikh collaborates with scholars examining the social determinants of health, particularly social network mechanisms and how they relate to primary and secondary prevention of vascular diseases. This work builds on her previous research experience that has been community-based, grant-funded studies in partnership with local agencies and organizations that explore the well-being of older adults and their families, including social cohesion/social support, access to and utilization of health care services of immigrant populations, health disparities, community-based palliative care for chronically ill elders, and the promotion of healthy aging with a particular emphasis on developing and implementing behavioral strategies to combat some of the most prevalent chronic conditions for this group. In addition, Dr. Parikh developed and teaches the two-semester thesis course to MPH candidates.
Prior to coming to NYU, Dr. Parikh served as the Director of Research (Interim) at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging of Hunter College where she provided oversight and guidance on all research and evaluation studies conducted by the Center. Her work has received grant support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the NYC Department for the Aging.
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Education
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BS, Biology and minor in Sociology, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OHMPH, Health Policy and Management, Emory University, Atlanta, GAPhD, Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Areas of research and study
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Aging and the Life CourseCultural Determinants of HealthImmigrationRacial/Ethnic DisparitiesSocial Determinants of Health
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Publications
Publications
Sociodemographic variation in experiences with medication shortages among US adults
Lower social vulnerability is associated with a higher prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes in Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2018–2023
AbstractBather, J. R., Silver, D., Gill, B. P., Harris, A., Bae, J. Y., Parikh, N. S., & Goodman, M. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
Injury EpidemiologyVolume
11Issue
1AbstractBackground: Social vulnerability may play a role in social media-involved crime, but few studies have investigated this issue. We investigated associations between social vulnerability and social media-involved violent crimes. Methods: We analyzed 22,801 violent crimes occurring between 2018 and 2023 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Social media involvement was obtained from crime reports at the Prince George’s County Police Department. Social media application types included social networking, advertising/selling, ridesharing, dating, image/video hosting, mobile payment, instant messaging/Voice over Internet Protocol, and other. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index to assess socioeconomic status (SES), household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, housing type and transportation, and overall vulnerability. Modified Poisson models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) among the overall sample and stratified by crime type (assault and homicide, robbery, and sexual offense). Covariates included year and crime type. Results: Relative to high tertile areas, we observed a higher prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes in areas with low SES vulnerability (aPR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.37-2.43), low housing type and transportation vulnerability (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17-2.02), and low overall vulnerability (aPR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.23-2.17). Low SES vulnerability areas were significantly associated with higher prevalences of social media-involved assaults and homicides (aPR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02-2.62), robberies (aPR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.12), and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.02-4.19) compared to high SES vulnerability areas. Low housing type and transportation vulnerability (vs. high) was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.54, 95% CI:1.01-2.37). Modified Poisson models also indicated that low overall vulnerability areas had higher prevalences of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.10-2.67) and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.05-4.39) than high overall vulnerability areas. Conclusions: We quantified the prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes across social vulnerability levels. These insights underscore the need for collecting incident-based social media involvement in crime reports among law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally. Comprehensive data collection at the national and international levels provides the capacity to elucidate the relationships between neighborhoods, social media, and population health.Mental health burdens among North American Asian adults living with chronic conditions: a systematic review
AbstractIslam, J. Y., Parikh, N. S., Lappen, H., Venkat, V., Nalkar, P., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
Epidemiologic ReviewsVolume
45Issue
1Page(s)
82-92AbstractAsians are likely to experience a high burden of chronic conditions, including, but not limited to, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, due to differences in biologic, genetic, and environmental factors across Asian ethnic groups. A diagnosis of any chronic condition can contribute to increased mental health burdens, including depression, psychological distress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have examined these comorbid conditions across distinct Asian ethnic groups—an important limitation given the differences in social, cultural, and behavioral drivers of mental health burdens within and across Asian ethnicities. To understand the disparities in mental health burdens among Asians living with a chronic health condition, we conducted a systematic literature review of relevant, peer-reviewed publication databases to identify studies reporting on mental health burdens (e.g., depression, anxiety, distress, PTSD) in distinct Asian ethnic groups in North America. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review and collectively demonstrated a high burden of depression, psychological distress, and PTSD among Asians living with chronic conditions. Moreover, there were distinct disparities in mental health burdens across chronic conditions and across Asian ethnic groups. Despite the detrimental impact of poor mental health on chronic disease–specific outcomes, such as death and poor quality of life, few data exist that characterize mental health outcomes among Asian ethnicities living in North America with chronic conditions. Future work should prioritize estimating the national prevalence of mental health outcomes among adults with chronic conditions, by Asian ethnicities, to inform culturally tailored interventions to address this public health burden.Acculturation and Depressive Symptoms Among Dominicans in New York City
Recruitment, Inclusion, and Diversity in Clinical Trials
Positive health beliefs and blood pressure reduction in the deserve study
Assessing the palliative care needs and service use of diverse older adults in an urban medically-underserved community
Efficacy of a Discharge Educational Strategy vs Standard Discharge Care on Reduction of Vascular Risk in Patients with Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: The DESERVE Randomized Clinical Trial
Immigration Status, Visa Types, and Body Weight Among New Immigrants in the United States
The experiences of providing caregiving for patients with schizophrenia in the Ghanaian context
Age-related differences in antihypertensive medication adherence in hispanics: A cross-sectional community-based survey in New York City, 2011-2012
Barriers and Strategies for Recruitment of Racial and Ethnic Minorities: Perspectives from Neurological Clinical Research Coordinators
Chronic Physical Illness Burden and Suicidal Ideation Among Dominicans in New York City
Gender, Social Networks, and Stroke Preparedness in the Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment Study
Race/ethnic differences in post-stroke depr ession (PSD): Findings from the stroke warning information and faster treatment (SWIFT ) study
Examining Barriers and Practices to Recruitment and Retention in Stroke Clinical Trials
Restaurant management views on the views on the new national menu labeling laws
Mind-body techniques, race-ethnicity, and depression among urban senior center participants
Linking neighborhood characteristics to food insecurity in older adults: The role of perceived safety, social cohesion, and walkability
Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Senior Centers: Comparing Participant Characteristics in More and Less Multicultural Settings
The association between neighbourhood social cohesion and hypertension management strategies in older adults
The influence of neighborhood factors on the quality of life of older adults attending New York City senior centers: Results from the Health Indicators Project
Ethnic disparities in self-reported oral health status and access to care among older adults in NYC
Body weight and length of residence in the US among Chinese Americans
AbstractYeh, M. C., Fahs, M., Burton, D., Yerneni, R., Parikh, N. S., & Shelley, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
Journal of Immigrant and Minority HealthVolume
11Issue
5Page(s)
422-427AbstractBackground: It has been shown that as immigrants' length of residence increases, so does their weight. However, little is known about factors associated with weight status among Chinese Americans, one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the US. Methods: Baseline datafrom a National Cancer Institute-funded longitudinal study involving a multi-stage probability sample of Chinese Americans residing in two communities in New York City were collected. Results: Chinese Americans had a low BMI (mean = 22.81) and a lower proportion of obese individuals compared with other ethnic groups in the US reported in the literature. While the prevalence of being overweight (21%) and obese (2%) was low, length of residence was positively associated with weight status (P < 0.005). Conclusions: Innovative strategies to help Chinese Americans maintain healthy weight status and to prevent them from becoming overweight and obese are needed.Health behaviors of older Chinese adults living in New York City
AbstractParikh, N. S., Fahs, M. C., Shelley, D., & Yerneni, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
Journal of Community HealthVolume
34Issue
1Page(s)
6-15AbstractThe dramatic increase in the number of older immigrants living in the U.S. presents new challenges to policy makers concerned with promoting healthy aging. To date, however, strikingly little is known regarding the health and health trajectories of older immigrants. This paper examines the prevalence and predictors of important health behaviors associated with chronic disease prevention, including current smoking status, physical activity, alcohol use, and body mass index (BMI). We analyzed data from the 2003 New York City Chinese Health Survey (NYC CHS), the largest probability-based sample of Chinese immigrants residing in two distinct communities. In-person interviews were conducted with 517 representative men and women aged 55-75. Logistic regression modeling was used to test the influence of demographic, socioeconomic status, acculturation, and health characteristics on selected health behaviors. Results revealed that having more education and better physical health status were associated with greater participation in physical activity. Gender-specific analyses indicated that the effect of selected predictors varied between the sexes. For example, among older Chinese women, acculturation was negatively associated with alcohol use. This study provides some of the first evidence on health behaviors of one of the fastest growing older immigrant groups in the U.S. Study results add to the emerging literature on the complex nature of immigrant health trajectories, and demonstrate that contrary to prior research, living a greater proportion of time in the U.S. can be associated with selected positive health behaviors. Further longitudinal studies are needed to help inform policy initiatives to encourage healthy aging among diverse older immigrant groups.