Anthony R. Bardo

Anthony R. Bardo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on social inequalities in quality-of-life, particularly how structural barriers affect access to resources that promote long and happy lives. He critically examines the multidimensional concept of aging (age-period-cohort) within cultural contexts, shifting from micro-level disability access studies to macro-level analyses of health and happiness disparities.

Key affiliations include the Appalachian Center and the Social Theory research group. His work bridges sociology, demography, and public health, emphasizing cross-cultural comparisons and methodological innovation. Recent studies explore how midlife morbidity and mortality link to subjective well-being, guided by the stress process paradigm. He collaborates on projects addressing Medicaid expansion impacts and intergenerational mental health interventions.

Research interests include life course theory, health/well-being metrics, and policy implications of aging populations. Funded projects include studies on creative movement interventions for mental health and the effects of job loss during the pandemic. His publications analyze topics like disability transitions, happiness trends, and cross-national health-literacy disparities.

Grants:

• Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (Co-PI)
• UKY Igniting Research Collaborations (PI)

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with interdisciplinary teams at the University of Kentucky and international partners in East Asia.