Kathleen Cagney

Kathleen Cagney is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR). She holds research professorships in ISR's Survey Research Center and Population Studies Center. Her work focuses on social inequality's relationship to health, with emphases on neighborhood dynamics, race, aging, and the life course.

Education:
Ph.D. in Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins University (1998)

Research Interests:
Dr. Cagney examines how neighborhood environments influence health outcomes such as asthma prevalence, physical activity, and mortality (e.g., 1995 Chicago heatwave). She develops new metrics reflecting older residents' neighborhood experiences and validates social capital measures. Key themes include:

• Structural inequities and health disparities
• Demographic transitions and aging
• Urban health geographies

Leadership & Affiliations:
Director, University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (since 2021)
Faculty member, LSA Department of Sociology

Grants & Labs:
Research supported by NIH/NIA and other agencies. Leads interdisciplinary teams analyzing population health through ISR's infrastructure.