Kelly Kamm

Biography

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease and the application of that data to improve health in populations. Many poor health outcomes in our communities are associated with unhealthy behaviors, but these behaviors are influenced by both individual and social factors. These factors are exacerbated in low-resource settings, including rural regions in the U.S. Health disparities continue to exist between rural and urban populations in the U.S., and interventions developed in urban areas often do not translate effectively to rural populations. My research seeks to understand determinants of health in young children and the elderly, key vulnerable populations in rural regions, then develop and test interventions to improve healthy behaviors. Specifically, my work focuses on scalable, cost-effective interventions to improve nutrition and quality of life in communities with limited resources.