The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) appointed Dr. Neil K. Mehta the inaugural Chair of the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public and Population Health.
Mehta joined UTMB in 2020 as a faculty member in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health. He joined the Department of Epidemiology when it was established as part of the UTMB School of Public and Population Health in 2022.
“Epidemiology is the science of studying health and disease in communities and populations,” Mehta said. “Epidemiologists work to identify risk factors and strategies to improve health.”
Mehta’s research focuses on the demography and epidemiology of older adults with a focus on trends in health, functioning, and mortality. He is currently engaged in several projects related to life expectancy in the United States and the rising burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors, all funded by the National Institute on Aging. His recent published work has identified adverse trends in U.S. cardiovascular disease mortality as the principal cause of the recent stagnation in U.S. life expectancy. His earlier work has contributed to our understanding of the effects of obesity and cigarette smoking on national mortality and disability levels, immigrant health, and socioeconomic differences in health.
“One great thing about epidemiology is its community orientation – it recognizes the importance of factors outside of medical care that affect health,” Mehta said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to build our new department and contribute to UTMB’s national recognition in public health.”