University of New Haven Faculty-Led Research Advances a Multi-Level Framework for Advancing Digital Health Equity
A new publication in the International Journal for Equity in Health spotlights interdisciplinary research led by University of New Haven faculty that charts a roadmap for advancing systemic health equity through digital transformation.
October 13, 2025
By Pavani Rangachari, Ph.D., Professor of Healthcare Administration and Public Health
A collaborative team of faculty and graduate students from the University of New Haven and New Mexico State University has published a landmark paper titled The study, led by Pavani Rangachari, Ph.D., Professor of Healthcare Administration and Public Health in the School of Health Sciences, in collaboration with Khadija Al Arkoubi, Ph.D. (Pompea College of Business) and Rajaa Shindi, Ph.D. (New Mexico State University), was published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, a leading global journal advancing the science and practice of health equity.
'A culmination and a new beginning'
Faculty and graduate students from the School of Health Sciences and Pompea College of Business contributed to the research.
This work marks both a culmination and a new beginning in an evolving interdisciplinary research pipeline focused on advancing systemic health equity. It builds on findings from my two-part systematic review of hospital-led Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) initiatives, which revealed that many health system efforts remain fragmented鈥攆ocused on short-term, downstream interventions, not integrated with electronic health records (EHRs) often disconnected from community needs, and rarely sustainable at scale.
Drawing from these insights, the newly published multi-level framework integrates perspectives from information systems, organizational learning, implementation science, and systems thinking to offer a roadmap for advancing digital health equity within Learning Health Systems (LHS), health systems that continuously learn from data to improve outcomes.
The paper identifies three interlinked pathways for transformation:
Building an equity-driven data foundation through SDOH鈥揈HR integration
Designing balanced interventions that pair targeted supports with universal digital strategies
Transforming from downstream to upstream action by strengthening enabling services, community partnerships, policy advocacy, and structural investments
Together, these pathways align the pursuit of digital health equity with the Quintuple Aim of healthcare鈥攊mproving patient 黑料社, population health, provider well-being, and cost reduction, while advancing equity.
'It reflects the collective dedication of faculty and students across programs'
The publication represents a model of interdisciplinary collaboration across business, public health, and information systems disciplines. It also showcases the vital role of student engagement in advancing faculty-led research. Graduate students from the School of Health Sciences and the Pompea College of Business contributed to the foundational SDOH and digital health projects acknowledged in the article: Alisha Thapa 鈥24 MPH, Dawa Lhomu Sherpa 鈥23 MPH, Keerthi Katukuri 鈥24 MHA, Kashyap Ramadyani 鈥24 MHA, Hiba Jaidi 鈥24 MHA, and Sumaia Akhter 鈥26 MBA.
Dr. Pavani Rangachari led the interdisciplinary research team advancing a new framework for digital health equity
I鈥檇 also like to note the continuing contributions of Thapa, Naimitha Balireddy 鈥27 MHA, and Vandana Maurya 鈥25 MHA on another ongoing project that extends this growing pipeline of scholarship focused on advancing systemic health equity.
This publication is a meaningful milestone for our interdisciplinary partnership. It reflects the collective dedication of faculty and students across programs who share a vision for building equitable, learning-oriented health systems. Seeing this work evolve from classroom discussions to an international journal feels truly rewarding.
'This study demonstrates how academic research can inform real-world transformation'
The research was first presented at the Academy of Management (AOM) 2025 Annual Meeting in Copenhagen and will be featured again when the team presents Part Two of their SDOH study at the APHA Annual Meeting in November. Its publication in a leading international journal marks a significant milestone in the team鈥檚 collaborative research journey and strengthens the University鈥檚 profile as a center for applied, equity-focused scholarship.
Though grounded in the U.S. context, the framework offers adaptable strategies for advancing health equity across diverse policy environments鈥攁 message that resonates globally as health systems confront widening disparities and shrinking safety nets.
鈥淭his study demonstrates how academic research can inform real-world transformation,鈥 added Dr. Al Arkoubi. 鈥淏y bridging business, policy, and public health, we鈥檙e helping shape strategies that can make digital health truly inclusive.鈥
The team鈥檚 next steps focus on applying the framework to explore innovative models for digital inclusion and community-based equity initiatives, building on a strong foundation of interdisciplinary collaboration.
