Health Policy & Outcomes Research

Evidence that moves
health policy forward

We conduct rigorous, quasi-experimental health policy research to reduce disparities, inform legislation, and improve outcomes for underserved populations across the United States.

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80+
Peer-reviewed publications
400+
Citations
H-13
H-index
14
Editorial boards
What we do

Our research focus areas

Our work spans quasi-experimental policy evaluation, cancer disparities, social determinants of health, and maternal outcomes.

Health policy evaluation

Rigorous quasi-experimental evaluation of the ACA Medicaid expansion and its downstream impact on access, outcomes, and health disparities.

Cancer outcomes research

Examining insurance-related disparities in cancer screening, treatment, and survival using NCDB, SEER, and linked administrative datasets.

Social determinants of health

Investigating loneliness, adverse childhood experiences, and social isolation as key drivers of chronic morbidity and premature mortality.

Maternal & reproductive health

Studying the effects of landmark policy changes — including post-Dobbs — on pregnancy, maternal mortality, and birth outcomes nationwide.

Biostatistics & methods

Applying difference-in-differences, Cox regression, inverse probability weighting, and survey-weighted methods to large administrative datasets.

Research training & mentorship

Mentoring the next generation of health policy researchers through structured programs, collaborative projects, and skills-building workshops.

PhD Research Support

From research question to publication

We guide PhD candidates and researchers through every stage of the research cycle — from developing a compelling, society-conscious question to a publishable manuscript.

01
Research question development

We work with you to brainstorm, refine, and validate original research questions that are methodologically sound, socially relevant, and aligned with current gaps in the literature — setting a strong foundation for your proposal.

02
Proposal & thesis development

Structured guidance on translating your research question into a formal proposal, including literature framing, methodology selection, and building a coherent thesis narrative that satisfies committee expectations.

03
Manuscript writing & preparation

Expert support organizing and writing your manuscript — covering introduction, methods, results, and discussion — to meet the standards of peer-reviewed publication in high-impact journals.

04
Presentation & dissemination

Coaching on presenting your findings at academic conferences and preparing abstracts, posters, and oral presentations that communicate your work clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.

05
Journal submission & publication

Strategic guidance on journal selection, navigating the peer-review process, responding to reviewer comments, and successfully publishing your research to maximize its reach and impact.

Ready to accelerate your research journey?

Whether you are just beginning your doctoral journey or looking to increase your research output, our structured consultations give you focused, expert guidance — on your schedule. Book a session and come prepared with your goals; we will take it from there.

Open to
PhD candidates at any stage of their program
Early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows
Clinicians seeking to increase research productivity
Faculty looking to develop new research directions
Graduate students preparing a thesis proposal
Please schedule an appointment rather than reaching out by phone or email. Direct outreach joins a general queue with no guaranteed response timeline. A scheduled appointment ensures dedicated, uninterrupted time with our team — and a much faster path to getting started.
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Leadership

Our team

Led by researchers with deep expertise spanning medicine, public health, biostatistics, and health policy.

Dr. Oluwasegun Akinyemi
Oluwasegun Akinyemi, MD, MSc, PhD, FMCOG
Principal Investigator & Director

A physician-scientist trained in obstetrics and gynaecology (FMCOG) with a PhD in Health Services Research, Dr. Akinyemi applies quasi-experimental methods to large national datasets to evaluate how policies such as the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion shape cancer survival, maternal outcomes, and health equity. His work appears in JAMA Network Open, the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, the American Journal of Surgery, and other leading journals. He is the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star in Social Epidemiology Award, serves as a federal grant reviewer for SAMHSA, and has mentored 20 trainees now placed at institutions including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago.

Health Policy Difference-in-Differences Cancer Disparities Maternal Health Stata NCDB · SEER · BRFSS
Scientific meetings

Presentations

Presenting research at national scientific meetings, including the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting.

Dr. Oluwasegun Akinyemi presenting his poster on insurance coverage and racial disparities in trauma mortality at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
Insurance Coverage Shapes Racial Disparities in Trauma Mortality: Evidence from a National Study of Patients with Pelvic Fractures
Late-Breaking Abstract · AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting · Seattle, WA · 2026
In the field

Mentorship

Investing in the next generation of health policy researchers through structured mentorship and scholarly community.

Dr. Oluwasegun Akinyemi with mentees at the RWJF Health Policy Research Scholars Mentorship Lunch
RWJF Health Policy Research Scholars — Mentorship Lunch
AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting · 2026
Dr. Oluwasegun Akinyemi at the JAMA Network Luncheon
JAMA Network Luncheon
AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting · 2026
Selected work

Recent publications

Selected peer-reviewed studies, ordered by significance, from a bibliography of 62 PubMed-indexed publications.

2026
Medicaid expansion and overall mortality among women with breast cancer
JAMA Network Open
PubMed
2026
Association of Medicaid expansion with lung cancer–specific and overall mortality: a difference-in-differences analysis
PLOS ONE
PubMed
2026
Independent and interactive effects of race and insurance on preterm birth risk
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
PubMed
2026
Loneliness and cognitive decline among U.S. adults: a stratified analysis of the BRFSS
PLOS ONE
PubMed
2026
Comparing the Distressed Communities Index and Area Deprivation Index in predicting firearm-related emergency department visits
The American Surgeon
PubMed
2026
Neighborhood socioeconomic status and short-term postoperative complications following metabolic and bariatric surgery
The American Journal of Surgery
PubMed
2026
Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation and selection for lower extremity revascularization versus amputation in Maryland
Annals of Vascular Surgery
PubMed
2025
Impact of childhood household support on depression and self-reported mental and physical health
PLOS ONE
PubMed
2026
Associations between sleep duration and depression, mental health, physical health, and general health in U.S. adults
PLOS ONE
PubMed
2025
Variation of metabolic and bariatric surgery utilization by neighborhood socioeconomic status in Maryland
PLOS ONE
PubMed
View all 62 publications on PubMed
Get in touch

Partner with us

We welcome collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, health systems, and community organizations.

Location Maryland, United States
Email info@cahpr.org
Organization Center for Applied Health Policy Research LLC
Entity type Federally registered LLC (EIN issued)
Consultations Health policy & outcomes research consultation — book a time below
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