Melody Goodman
Melody Goodman
Scroll
Dean, School of Global Public Health
Professor of Biostatistics
-
Professional overview
-
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.
-
Education
-
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
-
Honors and awards
-
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)
-
Areas of research and study
-
BiostatisticsCommunity HealthCommunity-based Participatory ResearchDissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based ProgramsQuantitative Research
-
Publications
Publications
"The Agenda of the People": A Multisector Partnership for COVID-19 Mitigation in New York City
AbstractGoodman, M., Rhodes-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
AbstractGoodman, M., Wei, L., Goodman, M. S., & 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Rosenthal, 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Rosenthal, 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Gilbert, K. L., Joyner, D., Pirbaksh, A., & Goodman, M. S. (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
AbstractGoodman, M., Bather, J. R., Mauri, A. I., Lindenfeld, Z., Rouhani, S., Chen, R., Fang, J., Pagán, J. A., Silver, D., & Goodman, M. S. (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
AbstractGoodman, M., Bather, J. R., Goodman, M. S., 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Elliott, L., Harris, A., Crasta, D., Goodman, M. S., 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.Importance of Prior Patient Interactions With the Healthcare System to Engaging With Pretest Cancer Genetic Services via Digital Health Tools Among Unaffected Primary Care Patients: Findings From the BRIDGE Trial
Failed retrieving data.Insights From Black Living Kidney Donors: An Interview Study on APOL1 Genetic Testing Experiences
AbstractGoodman, M., Iltis, A. S., Walsh, H. A., Baldwin, K., McIntosh, T., Mohan, S., Sawinski, D., Goodman, M. S., & 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Bather, J. R., Goodman, M. S., & 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Bather, J. R., & Goodman, M. S. (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
AbstractGoodman, M., He, T., Wei, L., Goodman, M. S., 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., Goodman, M. S., 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
AbstractGoodman, M., Guilamo-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 quasi-experimental study of New York City's sodium warning regulation and hypertension prevalence, 2005-2020
AbstractGoodman, M., Maxey, N. J., Pagán, J. A., Rhodes-Bratton, B., Phalke, A., Wizentier, M. M. M., Kaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M. S., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Preventive medicine reportsVolume
56Page(s)
103152AbstractTo quantify temporal trends in age-adjusted hypertension prevalence in New York City before and after implementation of a menu labeling regulation requiring sodium warning icons at chain restaurants.A quasi-experimental study of New York City's sodium warning regulation and hypertension prevalence, 2005–2020
Failed retrieving data.Age-specific trends in pregnancy-associated suicide and homicide rates by race/ethnicity, 2005–2021
AbstractBather, J. R., Mautner Wizentier, M., Cowan, S. K., Peipert, J. F., Furr-Holden, D., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology MFMVolume
7Issue
2Abstract~Bridging Technology and Pretest Genetic Services: Quantitative Study of Chatbot Interaction Patterns, User Characteristics, and Genetic Testing Decisions
AbstractGoodman, M., Yi, Y., Kaiser-Jackson, L., Bather, J. R., Goodman, M. S., Chavez-Yenter, D., Bradshaw, R. L., Chambers, R. L. L., Espinel, W. F., Hess, R., Mann, D. M., Monahan, R., Wetter, D. W., Ginsburg, O., Sigireddi, M., Kawamoto, K., Del Fiol, G., Buys, S. S., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Journal of medical Internet researchVolume
27Page(s)
e73391AbstractAmong the alternative solutions being tested to improve access to genetic services, chatbots (or conversational agents) are being increasingly used for service delivery. Despite the growing number of studies on the accessibility and feasibility of chatbot genetic service delivery, limited attention has been paid to user interactions with chatbots in a real-world health care context.COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors and Mistrust Among Black and Latino Public Housing Residents in NYC
AbstractGoodman, M., Mautner Wizentier, M., Williams, D., Choi, J., Goodman, M. S., Guilamo-Ramos, V., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health EducationPage(s)
10901981251393179AbstractPreventive measures against COVID-19 played a crucial role in mitigating transmission. Social and structural factors influence individuals' trust in health care and engagement in health-promoting behaviors. This study investigates racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 prevention behaviors and beliefs among public housing residents in the South Bronx, NYC. Data come from the Nurse-Community-Family Partnership study, a randomized controlled trial conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analytic sample ( = 200) was limited to adult participants who identified as non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic Black, Hispanic White, or Hispanic Other. Multilevel logistic regression models estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for sex, age, and education. The odds of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine were 3.8 times greater for Hispanic White participants and 2.5 times greater for Hispanic Other participants than for non-Hispanic Black participants. In addition, the odds of practicing social distancing were 2.2 times greater for Hispanic Other participants than for non-Hispanic Black counterparts. COVID-19-related government mistrust was associated with an 88% decrease in the odds of vaccinating, a 58% decrease in the odds of practicing social distancing, and a 77% decrease in the odds of mask-wearing. COVID-19 vaccine mistrust was associated with a 93% decrease in the odds of vaccination. When adjusted for mistrust, differences in vaccination rates by racial-ethnic groups were no longer significant. Addressing mistrust is pivotal for improving public health outcomes. Interventions that enhance trust in health institutions through cultural competence, community engagement, and greater representation in health care can help bridge the gap in prevention behaviors among racially minoritized groups.Factors Associated with Deferred Enrollment in Master of Public Health Programs: An Analysis of 99,000 Accepted Students from 2013 to 2024
AbstractGoodman, M., Bather, J. R., Smith, F. A., Burke, E. M., & Goodman, M. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Journal of community healthAbstract44% of the governmental public health workforce plans to retire by 2026, creating an urgent need to strengthen public health academic pathways. While prior research has examined various aspects of public health education, no studies have investigated Master of Public Health (MPH) deferral patterns. We identified demographic, institutional, and temporal factors associated with deferred enrollment among individuals accepted to MPH programs and evaluated whether associations varied across MPH concentrations in the five core public health disciplines (biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental sciences, health policy & management, and health education & behavioral sciences). We pooled data from the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) spanning the 2012-2013 through 2023-2024 application cycles. The outcome was deferred enrollment (deferred vs. immediately enrolled). Independent variables included demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, U.S. citizenship), institutional (type, Ivy League status, MPH program delivery format), and temporal (COVID-19 era indicator, time, time squared) characteristics. Modified Poisson regression estimated adjusted associations between each factor and deferral status. Of 99,143 accepted students, 8,196 (8.3%) deferred enrollment. Primary analyses indicated that older age, minoritized racial/ethnic identity, admission to hybrid MPH programs, and admission during the COVID-19 era were significantly associated with deferring MPH enrollment. Conversely, female sex, U.S. citizenship, and admission to public, Ivy League, or distance-based programs were significantly associated with immediate enrollment. Secondary analyses showed that associations varied across the five core public health disciplines. Future research should examine the specific reasons why accepted students choose to defer MPH enrollment through targeted follow-up data collection.Importance of Prior Patient Interactions With the Healthcare System to Engaging With Pretest Cancer Genetic Services via Digital Health Tools Among Unaffected Primary Care Patients : Findings From the BRIDGE Trial
AbstractZhong, L., Bather, J. R., Goodman, M., Kaiser-Jackson, L., Volkmar, M., Bradshaw, R. L., Lorenz Chambers, R., Chavez-Yenter, D., Colonna, S. V., Maxwell, W., Flynn, M., Gammon, A., Hess, R., Mann, D. M., Monahan, R., Yi, Y., Sigireddi, M., Wetter, D. W., Kawamoto, K., … Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Health Services ResearchAbstractObjective: To examine whether patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and prior interactions with the healthcare system were associated with opening patient portal messages related to cancer genetic services and beginning services. Study Setting and Design: The trial was conducted in the University of Utah Health (UHealth) and NYU Langone Health (NYULH) systems. Between 2020 and 2023, 3073 eligible primary care patients aged 25–60 years meeting family history-based criteria for cancer genetic evaluation were randomized 1:1 to receive a patient portal message with a hyperlink to a pretest genetics education chatbot or information about scheduling a pretest standard of care (SOC) appointment. Data Sources and Analytic Sample: Primary data were collected. Eligible patients had a primary care visit in the previous 3 years, a patient portal account, no prior cancer diagnosis except nonmelanoma skin cancer, no prior cancer genetic services, and English or Spanish as their preferred language. Multivariable models identified predictors of opening patient portal messages by site and beginning pretest genetic services by site and experimental condition. Principal Findings: Number of previous patient portal logins (UHealth average marginal effect [AME]: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.38; NYULH AME: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.39), having a recorded primary care provider (NYULH AME: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.22), and more primary care visits in the previous 3 years (NYULH AME: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16) were associated with opening patient portal messages about genetic services. Number of previous patient portal logins (UHealth AME: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.21; NYULH AME: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.23), having a recorded primary care provider (NYULH AME: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.14), and more primary care visits in the previous 3 years (NYULH AME: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.13) were associated with beginning pretest genetic services. Patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were not significantly associated with either outcome. Conclusions: As system-level initiatives aim to reach patients eligible for cancer genetic services, patients already interacting with the healthcare system may be most likely to respond. Addressing barriers to accessing healthcare and technology may increase engagement with genetic services.Incomplete Family History and Meeting Algorithmic Criteria for Genetic Evaluation of Hereditary Cancer
AbstractGoodman, M., Harris, A., Bather, J. R., Bradshaw, R. L., Kawamoto, K., Del Fiol, G., Kohlmann, W. K., Chavez-Yenter, D., Monahan, R., Chambers, R. L., Sigireddi, M., Goodman, M. S., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
JAMA network openVolume
8Issue
10Page(s)
e2539870AbstractIncomplete electronic health record (EHR) documentation may limit the effectiveness of clinical decision support (CDS) algorithms designed to identify patients eligible for hereditary cancer genetic evaluation.Increasing Interest in Data Literacy : The Quantitative Public Health Data Literacy Training Program
AbstractShah, J., Bather, J. R., Chen, Y., Kaul, S., Dias, J. J., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Journal of Statistics and Data Science EducationVolume
33Issue
2Page(s)
210-222AbstractDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the presentation of public health data to lay audiences has increased without most people having the knowledge to understand what these statistics mean. Recognizing that minoritized populations are deeply impacted by the pandemic and wanting to improve the racial representation in biostatistics we developed a training program aimed at increasing the data literacy of high school and college students from minoritized groups. The program introduced the basics of public health, data literacy, statistical software, descriptive statistics, and data ethics. The instructors taught eight synchronous sessions consisting of lectures and experiential group exercises. Five of the sessions were also offered asynchronously. Of the 209 students, 76% were college students; 90% identified as Black, Asian, or Latino/a/x; and the average age was 21 years. In synchronous sessions, 56% of students attended all sessions. All course sessions were rated as good/excellent by most ((Formula presented.)) students. The program recruited, engaged, and retained a large cohort ((Formula presented.)) of underrepresented students in biostatistics/data science for a virtual data literacy training. The program demonstrates the feasibility of developing and implementing public health training programs designed to increase racial and gender diversity in the field.Neighborhood characteristics and health literacy : Evidence from the survey of racism and public health
AbstractOdumegwu, J. N., Bather, J. R., Harris, A., Wizentier, M. M., Kaphingst, K. A., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Public HealthVolume
242Page(s)
206-213AbstractObjectives: Limited research exists on the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and health literacy. We investigated the potential impacts of neighborhood characteristics on health literacy and explored whether these associations varied across racial/ethnic groups. Study design: The study was a web-based cross-sectional study of adults (18+ years old) residing in areas within the US Health and Human Services Regions 1, 2, or 3. Methods: The 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health dataset was linked with the 2017–2021 American Community Survey dataset using the respondents' zip codes to obtain measures of residential segregation, neighborhood deprivation, racial and economic polarization, and racial and educational isolation. The Brief Health Literacy Screen was used to assess participants' health literacy. Unadjusted and adjusted models were employed to explore the associations between neighborhood characteristics and limited health literacy. Results: Of 4948 participants, the mean age was 47 (SD = 17) years, 48 % were White, and 42 % had college degrees or higher. Greater neighborhood deprivation was associated with an increased likelihood of limited health literacy (aOR = 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.24). Higher racial and economic polarization was associated with decreased odds of limited health literacy (aOR = 0.83, 95 % CI: 0.73, 0.93). Increased racial isolation is associated with increased odds of limited health literacy (aOR = 1.31, 95 % CI:1.14,1.50). These associations did not significantly vary by racialized/ethnic groups. Conclusions: Incorporating neighborhood characteristics in health literacy research helps reveal a possible critical key risk factor; higher neighborhood deprivation increases the likelihood of limited health literacy with no variation across the racial/ethnic groups within the same neighborhood. The findings point policymakers toward the direction for intervention in policy changes that will reduce the maldistribution of health—and economic-promoting resources and risky life-course exposures in communities to improve public health literacy.