Rita Hamad
@ritahamad.bsky.social
Professor, social epidemiologist @hsph.harvard.edu • Social policy + health equity • Director https://hsph.me/sphere • Mama, immigrant • Opinions mine
Pinned
Rita Hamad
@ritahamad.bsky.social
· Aug 8
Our latest study @jamahealthforum.com shows the harms of work requirements for safety net programs. Women who were subject to harsher requirements and who received less cash assistance from TANF were less likely to breastfeed. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @donmoyn.bsky.social @hsph.harvard.edu 1/
Reposted by Rita Hamad
💬 Viewpoint: @kff.org polling indicates nearly three-quarters of US adults support congressional extension of #ACA premium tax credits, making health care affordability a decisive economic issue in upcoming elections and policy debates.
ja.ma/4oZfvaB
ja.ma/4oZfvaB
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
💬 Viewpoint: @kff.org polling indicates nearly three-quarters of US adults support congressional extension of #ACA premium tax credits, making health care affordability a decisive economic issue in upcoming elections and policy debates.
ja.ma/4oZfvaB
ja.ma/4oZfvaB
Reposted by Rita Hamad
"When there are too few homes, the people with the most resources win and the people who have the fewest resources lose.”
www.keranews.org/news/2025-11...
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.keranews.org/news/2025-11...
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
Rent slowly drops in North Texas as region builds more housing — but inequities persist
Recent data shows that changing local and state policies are contributing to growing housing stock, but much of it is still out of reach for lower-income renters.
www.keranews.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"When there are too few homes, the people with the most resources win and the people who have the fewest resources lose.”
www.keranews.org/news/2025-11...
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.keranews.org/news/2025-11...
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
New report highlights how administrative burdens in SNAP access can lead to downstream negative financial consequences for families. Important implications given dramatic ⬆️ in admin burden with this administration: www.nber.org/papers/w34434 @nber.org @capolicylab.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
The Financial Consequences of Being Denied Benefit Access
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
New report highlights how administrative burdens in SNAP access can lead to downstream negative financial consequences for families. Important implications given dramatic ⬆️ in admin burden with this administration: www.nber.org/papers/w34434 @nber.org @capolicylab.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
Wow, so many great upcoming events @iaphs.bsky.social for academics and practitioners, hosted by some of the most thoughtful leaders in #pophealth. Check them out, and consider becoming a member for insider access! iaphs.org/tools-for-su... @societyforepi.bsky.social @popassocamerica.bsky.social
Online Events – IAPHS – Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science
iaphs.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Wow, so many great upcoming events @iaphs.bsky.social for academics and practitioners, hosted by some of the most thoughtful leaders in #pophealth. Check them out, and consider becoming a member for insider access! iaphs.org/tools-for-su... @societyforepi.bsky.social @popassocamerica.bsky.social
Latest study by SPHERE postdocs A. Ali & @emilydore.bsky.social finds that expansions of EITC for young adults w/out kids boosted mental heath. This group is often excluded from safety net policies, but they are at a critical juncture of life course. doi.org/10.1111/1468... @mdrc-news.bsky.social 1/
November 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Latest study by SPHERE postdocs A. Ali & @emilydore.bsky.social finds that expansions of EITC for young adults w/out kids boosted mental heath. This group is often excluded from safety net policies, but they are at a critical juncture of life course. doi.org/10.1111/1468... @mdrc-news.bsky.social 1/
Members of the Interdisciplinary Assoc for Population Health Science will now have their publications featured (and briefly open access!) to help share their important work. Details: iaphs.org/share-your-p....
Moral of the story: join @iaphs.bsky.social! And read more about our members' research!
Moral of the story: join @iaphs.bsky.social! And read more about our members' research!
Share Your Publication – IAPHS – Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science
iaphs.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Members of the Interdisciplinary Assoc for Population Health Science will now have their publications featured (and briefly open access!) to help share their important work. Details: iaphs.org/share-your-p....
Moral of the story: join @iaphs.bsky.social! And read more about our members' research!
Moral of the story: join @iaphs.bsky.social! And read more about our members' research!
Reposted by Rita Hamad
What's this mean for NIH-funded scientists?
It means the next time that Trump/RFK/JB want to terminate grants on topics they don't like, they'll have less trouble in court defending their actions.
It also means less certainty for scientists, less research, and more harm to US scientific leadership
It means the next time that Trump/RFK/JB want to terminate grants on topics they don't like, they'll have less trouble in court defending their actions.
It also means less certainty for scientists, less research, and more harm to US scientific leadership
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
What's this mean for NIH-funded scientists?
It means the next time that Trump/RFK/JB want to terminate grants on topics they don't like, they'll have less trouble in court defending their actions.
It also means less certainty for scientists, less research, and more harm to US scientific leadership
It means the next time that Trump/RFK/JB want to terminate grants on topics they don't like, they'll have less trouble in court defending their actions.
It also means less certainty for scientists, less research, and more harm to US scientific leadership
New piece by @hsph.harvard.edu colleague Nancy Krieger on Trump's weaponization of science & hypocrisy in dismantling of research infrastructure: "Challenging The Administration’s Weaponized And Lethal 'Gold Standard Science'" www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore... @popassocamerica.bsky.social
Challenging The Administration’s Weaponized And Lethal “Gold Standard Science” | Health Affairs Forefront
The real gold standard for science, and academic freedom, requires upholding scientific work that investigates who and what is responsible for creating conditions in which only a select few, rather th...
www.healthaffairs.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
New piece by @hsph.harvard.edu colleague Nancy Krieger on Trump's weaponization of science & hypocrisy in dismantling of research infrastructure: "Challenging The Administration’s Weaponized And Lethal 'Gold Standard Science'" www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore... @popassocamerica.bsky.social
I had the pleasure of curating a collection of articles for #HAScholar special collection on social policies & #health. The full collection is now freely available online, including articles on policy impacts, implementation barriers & more: academic.oup.com/healthaffair... @kathrynp-phd.bsky.social
Intersections of Social Policies and Health
A collection of articles published by Health Affairs Scholar. Edited by Rita Hamad.
This collection examines the effects of social policies on health; differen
academic.oup.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I had the pleasure of curating a collection of articles for #HAScholar special collection on social policies & #health. The full collection is now freely available online, including articles on policy impacts, implementation barriers & more: academic.oup.com/healthaffair... @kathrynp-phd.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita Hamad
🚨 New paper: “The Bodily Scars of Legal Violence: Local immigration enforcement, state immigrant policy, & health inequality” 🚨
Forthcoming in @sfjournal.bsky.social w @ngraetz.bsky.social @atheendar.bsky.social & Robin Ortiz
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Forthcoming in @sfjournal.bsky.social w @ngraetz.bsky.social @atheendar.bsky.social & Robin Ortiz
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
The bodily scars of legal violence: local immigration enforcement, state immigrant policy, and health inequality
Abstract. Over the past three decades in the United States, a surge of federal, state, and local laws and policies has increased levels of immigration enfo
academic.oup.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:24 PM
🚨 New paper: “The Bodily Scars of Legal Violence: Local immigration enforcement, state immigrant policy, & health inequality” 🚨
Forthcoming in @sfjournal.bsky.social w @ngraetz.bsky.social @atheendar.bsky.social & Robin Ortiz
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Forthcoming in @sfjournal.bsky.social w @ngraetz.bsky.social @atheendar.bsky.social & Robin Ortiz
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Lots of exciting events @iaphs.bsky.social coming up soon on interdisciplinary #pophealth topics for trainees and researchers. E.g., #scicomm, how to develop research, working with communities, etc. Webinars open to the public! iaphs.org/tools-for-su...
Online Events – IAPHS – Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science
iaphs.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Lots of exciting events @iaphs.bsky.social coming up soon on interdisciplinary #pophealth topics for trainees and researchers. E.g., #scicomm, how to develop research, working with communities, etc. Webinars open to the public! iaphs.org/tools-for-su...
Reposted by Rita Hamad
📣 In a new paper using data on >11,000 kids, we find children who are #evicted suffer worse mental health & increased sleep problems... but so do children whose families simply struggle to pay the rent each month, implicating the health of 100,000s of young people in the housing crisis. #episky 🧪
October 16, 2025 at 6:26 PM
New study finds more generous state safety net policies w/ fewer administrative barriers are linked to better birth outcomes, esp for marginalized groups. Very relevant finding in current policy environment!
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
New study finds more generous state safety net policies w/ fewer administrative barriers are linked to better birth outcomes, esp for marginalized groups. Very relevant finding in current policy environment!
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.so... @gabeschwartz.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita Hamad
The aggressive immigration raids we now see across the nation began 10 months ago in California's Central Valley. Their impact on children, families, and communities is an important & active area of research
I'm pleased my study of the initial raid's early impact on students is now out in @pnas.org
I'm pleased my study of the initial raid's early impact on students is now out in @pnas.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The aggressive immigration raids we now see across the nation began 10 months ago in California's Central Valley. Their impact on children, families, and communities is an important & active area of research
I'm pleased my study of the initial raid's early impact on students is now out in @pnas.org
I'm pleased my study of the initial raid's early impact on students is now out in @pnas.org
Reposted by Rita Hamad
An estimated 61% of US children have been enrolled in #Medicaid or CHIP and 42% have experienced periods of uninsurance by age 18, with insurance disruptions being more common in states with restrictive Medicaid policies.
ja.ma/47Vjn6y
ja.ma/47Vjn6y
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
An estimated 61% of US children have been enrolled in #Medicaid or CHIP and 42% have experienced periods of uninsurance by age 18, with insurance disruptions being more common in states with restrictive Medicaid policies.
ja.ma/47Vjn6y
ja.ma/47Vjn6y
New article @nytimes.com on how SNAP & other safety net programs are inaccurately portrayed as "Democrat" programs, when in fact they help Americans of all stripes: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o... @hsph.harvard.edu @tombedsall.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social @americanprogress.bsky.social
Opinion | It Would Be Trump’s Honor to Pay for Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
New article @nytimes.com on how SNAP & other safety net programs are inaccurately portrayed as "Democrat" programs, when in fact they help Americans of all stripes: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o... @hsph.harvard.edu @tombedsall.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social @americanprogress.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita Hamad
Reminder: even if administration complies with judges' orders & pays out #SNAP benefits, there will be delays given timeline, and many families will still need support because of reductions to SNAP as part of #OBBBA. Consider donating to your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.
www.feedingamerica.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reminder: even if administration complies with judges' orders & pays out #SNAP benefits, there will be delays given timeline, and many families will still need support because of reductions to SNAP as part of #OBBBA. Consider donating to your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Reminder: even if administration complies with judges' orders & pays out #SNAP benefits, there will be delays given timeline, and many families will still need support because of reductions to SNAP as part of #OBBBA. Consider donating to your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.
www.feedingamerica.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reminder: even if administration complies with judges' orders & pays out #SNAP benefits, there will be delays given timeline, and many families will still need support because of reductions to SNAP as part of #OBBBA. Consider donating to your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Reposted by Rita Hamad
Did you know? The US has one of the highest child poverty rates of OECD countries.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
October 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Did you know? The US has one of the highest child poverty rates of OECD countries.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
Calvin and Hobbes, speaking deep truths even about our world today. Thanks, @billwatterson.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
October 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Calvin and Hobbes, speaking deep truths even about our world today. Thanks, @billwatterson.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Reposted by Rita Hamad
SNAP boosts households' average monthly income by 31%.
For households with kids, it's 42%.
SNAP prevents food insecurity, but it also enables households use scarce non-SNAP resources for other things... rent, utilities, diapers, school supplies...
from: www.fns.usda.gov/data-researc...
🥗 🛟
For households with kids, it's 42%.
SNAP prevents food insecurity, but it also enables households use scarce non-SNAP resources for other things... rent, utilities, diapers, school supplies...
from: www.fns.usda.gov/data-researc...
🥗 🛟
October 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM
SNAP boosts households' average monthly income by 31%.
For households with kids, it's 42%.
SNAP prevents food insecurity, but it also enables households use scarce non-SNAP resources for other things... rent, utilities, diapers, school supplies...
from: www.fns.usda.gov/data-researc...
🥗 🛟
For households with kids, it's 42%.
SNAP prevents food insecurity, but it also enables households use scarce non-SNAP resources for other things... rent, utilities, diapers, school supplies...
from: www.fns.usda.gov/data-researc...
🥗 🛟
Not new, but still a crisis: CDC PRAMS staff were also laid off this year, removing access to the only national survey data on prenatal & postpartum health. HHS is jeopardizing the health of US kids in many ways. hsph.harvard.edu/news/with-fe... @hsph.harvard.edu @icpsr.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Not new, but still a crisis: CDC PRAMS staff were also laid off this year, removing access to the only national survey data on prenatal & postpartum health. HHS is jeopardizing the health of US kids in many ways. hsph.harvard.edu/news/with-fe... @hsph.harvard.edu @icpsr.bsky.social @npwf.bsky.social
Excited to share an op-ed by @ucsfmedicine.bsky.social PhD student @whitneywells.bsky.social on her personal experiences with #paidleave after childbirth, and how they intersect with her research. progressive.org/op-eds/paid-... @paidleaveforall.bsky.social @scholars.org 1/
Paid Family Leave Can Be a Lifeline
I study how paid family leave impacts the health of parents. When I gave birth, I became one of my own statistics.
progressive.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Excited to share an op-ed by @ucsfmedicine.bsky.social PhD student @whitneywells.bsky.social on her personal experiences with #paidleave after childbirth, and how they intersect with her research. progressive.org/op-eds/paid-... @paidleaveforall.bsky.social @scholars.org 1/
New article @jamanetworkopen.com showing cash during pregnancy ⬆️ prenatal care among women in Flint. Cash support to low-income families supports healthy babies & kids, but our current safety net falls short. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @monahanna.bsky.social @michiganstateu.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
New article @jamanetworkopen.com showing cash during pregnancy ⬆️ prenatal care among women in Flint. Cash support to low-income families supports healthy babies & kids, but our current safety net falls short. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @monahanna.bsky.social @michiganstateu.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita Hamad
Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy, explains why losing the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible. “Without data, we can’t fix problems,” says @ritahamad.bsky.social
With federal maternal health database in limbo, a risk to mother and infant health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Rita Hamad explains why losing PRAMS puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible.
hsph.harvard.edu
October 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy, explains why losing the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible. “Without data, we can’t fix problems,” says @ritahamad.bsky.social