Farzana Kapadia
Farzana Kapadia
Scroll
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, NYMPH, Community Public Health, New York University, New York, NYPhD, 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 HealthBehavioral ScienceEpidemiologyHIV/AIDSReproductive HealthSocial BehaviorsSocial Determinants of HealthSocial epidemiologySubstance Abuse
-
Publications
Publications
Maternal health and maternal health service utilization among female sex workers : A scoping review
AbstractMoore, B. E., Govaerts, L., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
Women's HealthVolume
19AbstractBackground: High proportions of female sex workers (FSWs) become pregnant and have children. Many FSWs are at increased risk of maternal health complications due to factors such as poverty, violence, and healthcare barriers. Despite this, FSWs’ maternal health and use of maternal health services (MHS) receive limited attention. Objectives: The objectives of this scoping review are to (1) synthesize existing data on FSWs’ maternal health and MHS utilization and (2) assess the state of peer-reviewed literature on FSWs’ maternal health in regard to methodological approaches and reported outcomes. Eligibility criteria: Included articles were peer-reviewed, published in English, and reported empirical data on FSWs for outcomes related to antenatal care, pregnancy, and labor complications, postnatal and delivery care, and/or barriers to MHS. Sources of evidence: Article searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health, Sociological Abstracts, Sociological Index, PsychInfo, and CINAHL Charting methods: Information extracted from eligible articles included publication year, study design, location, sample size, outcome measures, and findings. The “Three Delays” model was used to synthesize findings on barriers to MHS as relevant to phase I, II, or III delays. Results: Eighteen publications met the eligibility criteria. Studies were conducted in 11 countries and primarily reported quantitative data from cross-sectional surveys. The most frequently reported outcome was antenatal care utilization (n = 14), whereas few studies reported findings related to postnatal care and breastfeeding counseling (n = 2). Across publications, there was a substantial range in the proportion of FSWs who reported accessing different types of MHS. Conclusion: Literature on FSWs’ maternal health is limited and heterogenous. More research is needed that specifically focuses on measuring outcomes related to FSWs’ maternal health and examines associated factors. Such work can inform future research directions and public health interventions for FSWs—a population of marginalized women whose maternal health has been overlooked in existing efforts.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.PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF HIV-ASSOCIATED HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN A POPULATION-BASED SAMPLE OF PUERTO RICAN ADULTS, 2019
AbstractRivera-Castellar, G., Moore, B. E., & Kapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
Ethnicity and DiseaseVolume
33Issue
1Page(s)
17-25AbstractIntroduction: High incidence and prevalence of HIV persist in Puerto Rico. To inform HIV prevention efforts, this study examines factors linked to HIV-associated behaviors in the territory. Methods: Using data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to explore factors related to HIV-associated behaviors. Results: Among Puerto Rican residents (n¼4446), 5.6% reported engaging in ≥1 HIV-associated behavior (past 12 months), and 39.2% had never been tested for HIV. Reporting HIV-associated behaviors was associated with male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-2.33), higher household income (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14-2.58), heavy alcohol use (aOR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.68-4.25), and ever receiving an HIV test (aOR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.40-2.86) in a multivariable model. Conversely, being married (aOR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35-0.72), having a recent routine checkup (aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.72), and reporting 0 days of poor mental health (aOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.81) were associated with decreased odds of engaging in HIV-associated behaviors. Conclusions: Future surveys should incorporate measures of social and structural determinants that would provide greater context for understanding behavioral factors associated with HIV vulnerability as well as for developing appropriate HIV interventions in Puerto Rico.Protecting and Promoting Adolescent Health : A Public Health of Consequence, March 2023
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
3Page(s)
249-250Abstract~Public Health Data of the People, by the People, for the People : A Public Health of Consequence, June 2023
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
6Page(s)
618-619Abstract~Public Health Practice and Health Equity for Vulnerable Workers : A Public Health of Consequence, May 2023
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
5Page(s)
480-481Abstract~Structural Racism and Health Inequities : Moving From Evidence to Action
AbstractKapadia, F., & Borrell, L. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
S1Page(s)
S6-S9Abstract~Structural Racism and Public Health
AbstractKapadia, F., & Borrell, L. N. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
S1Page(s)
S4Abstract~Sustaining PrEP Prescriptions at a Safety-Net Hospital in New York City During COVID-19 : Lessons Learned
AbstractPitts, R. A., Ban, K., Greene, R. E., Kapadia, F., & Braithwaite, R. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
AIDS and BehaviorAbstractTo 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
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
2Page(s)
144-145Abstract~Abortion Care Is Health Care : A Public Health of Consequence, September 2022
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
9Page(s)
1242-1244Abstract~Bringing an Equity Lens to Address the Evolving Overdose Crisis : A Public Health of Consequence, April 2023
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
113Issue
4Page(s)
359-360Abstract~Capturing missed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis opportunities—sexually transmitted infection diagnoses in the emergency department
AbstractMclaughlin, S. E., Kapadia, F., Greene, R. E., & Pitts, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
International Journal of STD and AIDSVolume
33Issue
3Page(s)
242-246AbstractThe 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
AbstractKotey, M., Alhassan, Y., Adomako, J., Nunoo-Mensah, G., Kapadia, F., & Sarfo, B. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Pan African Medical JournalVolume
42Issue
294Page(s)
1-21AbstractIntroduction: 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 pConfronting and Ending Food Insecurity During and Beyond the Pandemic : A Public Health of Consequence, July 2022
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
7Page(s)
962-964Abstract~Editorial Note
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
2Page(s)
e2-e3Abstract~Ending Homelessness and Advancing Health Equity : A Public Health of Consequence, March 2022
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
3Page(s)
372-373Abstract~Erratum : Conflicts of interest (American Journal of Public Health)
AbstractKapadia, F., de Camargo, K. R., Hansen, H. B., Jauffret-Roustide, M., McNeil, R., & Suhail-Sindhu, S. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Page(s)
S94AbstractF. 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
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 incomeGun Control for Health : A Public Health of Consequence, December 2022
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
12Page(s)
1710-1712Abstract~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
AbstractLanders, S., Kapadia, F., & Tarantola, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
11Page(s)
1564-1566Abstract~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
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
AbstractKapadia, F. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
112Issue
8Page(s)
1107-1109Abstract~SOCIAL 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