Beth C. Weitzman

Beth C. Weitzman is a Professor of Health and Public Policy at New York University’s Steinhardt School, where she has served as Vice Dean and Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs since 2009. Previously, she spent over two decades at NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Her research focuses on evaluating public policies affecting marginalized populations, particularly in urban settings, with an emphasis on health, housing, social services, and education. She combines rigorous program evaluation with primary data collection to assess initiatives addressing homelessness, youth health, and food environments. Recent funding sources include the New York State Health Foundation, NIH, and RWJF’s Urban Health Initiative, which earned her the 2010 American Evaluation Association’s Outstanding Evaluation Award.

Dr. Weitzman’s work bridges policy and practice, with notable contributions to calorie labeling studies, sugary drink taxation, and food retail innovation. Her research on homelessness, beginning in the 1980s, has informed national policies through longitudinal studies on sheltered populations and housing interventions. She has also explored the interplay between urban environments and health behaviors, emphasizing equity in access to nutritious food and healthcare.

Her recent publications (2023–2025) highlight evolving food policy analyses, including the impact of beverage taxes on purchasing habits and the role of technology in food access. Her methodologies often integrate mixed-methods approaches, such as participant-generated photo interviews, to capture nuanced community perspectives. Awards and grants underscore her influence in both academic and applied public health spheres.

• Key Roles: Professor, Former Vice Dean (Steinhardt), RWJF Urban Health Initiative Evaluator
• Research Themes: Policy Evaluation, Urban Health, Food Systems, Homelessness, Health Equity
• Funding Bodies: NIH, RWJF, New York State Health Foundation

Dr. Weitzman’s work extends to mentoring future policy experts through NYU’s academic programs and advising on both local and national initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for disadvantaged communities.