Associate Professor
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
267.359.6054
aha27@drexel.edu
Download CV

Degrees

PhD, Epidemiology, University of Michigan
MPH, Population and Family Health, Columbia University
BA, History, Wesleyan University

Bio

I am a social and environmental epidemiologist. My long-standing work examines risk factors in residential environments that influence health behaviors and chronic health conditions. For example, I have studied nutrition labeling and dietary quality, pricing and regulations that could affect tobacco and alcohol use, and social factors such as neighborhood disadvantage and gentrification that could impact mental and physical health. In addition, I have studied air pollution epidemiology, policies/infrastructure that promote or deter automobile use (prices for parking, neighborhood infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists), and factors linked to the climate emergency. In my work, I use spatial/GIS and advanced epidemiologic methods.

Examples of Collaborative Projects with Drexel Students

Visualizing health inequities in big cities: the Big Cities Health Coalition data platform 

• Homelessness Soars After Pandemic-Era Safety Net Programs End. February 2024. Blog/report.
• Stark Racial Disparities in Vaccine Uptake and Flu-related Deaths. November 2023. Blog/report.
• Harm Reduction Matters More Than Ever as Overdose Deaths Continue to Rise. May 2023. Blog/report.
• Gun Deaths Surged During the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. June 2023. Blog/report.

Climate change, air pollution and industrial emissions

• Extreme heat and disasters are impacting big U.S. cities. Blog.
• Climate-related disasters are linked to high school students’ mental distress. Article.
• Joint effects of respiratory infections, aeroallergens, and pollution on asthma exacerbation. Article.

Sanctuary policies toward immigrants, immigrant enclaves and reduction in cardiometabolic risk

• Neighborhood determinants of lower acculturation stress among Chinese immigrants. Article.
• Sanctuary policies support immigrant enrollment in needed food assistance programs. Article.

Neighborhood environment effects on cognitive decline, and mediators in the causal pathway

• Neighborhood facilities for social engagement help maintain cognitive function. Article.

Food and tobacco policy environments and chronic disease risk in Latin America

• Adolescent tobacco use declines after implementation of tobacco control policies in Latin America. Article.
• Food environments in Latin America. Article.

Examining built environment infrastructure effects on promoting active transportation

• The effects of parking prices on active commuting across U.S. cities. Article.
• Improving sidewalk/greenway infrastructure does not -- by itself -- increase community-level physical activity. Article.
• Philadelphia's bikeshare program increases street cycling and slightly increases physical activity levels. Article.

Research Interests

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Data Analysis Methods
• Diabetes
• Global Health or International Health
• Health Disparities
• Health Economics
• Health Policy
• Nutrition
• Spatial Analysis or GIS
• Urban Health

Publications

See a full list of Dr. Auchincloss's peer-reviewed research articles in Google Scholar.