Allison Barlow

Allison Barlow is a Research Professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She serves as the Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, a position she has held since 2016, and has been with the institution since 1991. Her work is deeply rooted in collaboration with Native American communities to co-create strengths-based public health programs that promote health equity, education, and well-being.

Education:

• PhD, University of Amsterdam, 2013
• MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1997
• MA, University of Melbourne, 1990 (Rotary International Graduate Scholarship)
• BA, Dartmouth College, 1986

Dr. Barlow’s research focuses on addressing behavioral and mental health disparities among Native children and families. Her interests include Native American health, suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention, early childhood home-visiting interventions (e.g., Family Spirit), adolescent health, diabetes and obesity prevention, teen pregnancy, and youth entrepreneurship. She emphasizes community-led solutions and indigenous workforce development.

Her recent publications highlight a strong trajectory in community-based participatory research, with recurring themes in suicide prevention, diabetes intervention, substance misuse, and cultural strengths. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on evidence-based, culturally grounded public health strategies that empower tribal communities.

Scientific Awards:

• Indian Health Service Director's Award (2013)
• Martin Luther King Community Service Award, Johns Hopkins (2007)
• Martin Luther King Social Justice Award, Dartmouth College (2008)
• Rotary International Graduate Scholarship (1989–90)
• Kenneth Archibald Scholar-Athlete Award (1986)

Dr. Barlow has established significant programs such as the Native Vision initiative with the NFL Players Association to promote youth development through sports and education. She also co-founded a graduate-level Public Health Certificate in American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins, training hundreds of Indigenous students and faculty. She mentors students and leads large-scale research grants focused on health equity and community resilience.

Labs and Teams: She leads the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, which conducts field programs across multiple tribal nations, focusing on maternal and child health, mental health, and chronic disease prevention. The center trains and employs Indigenous community health workers and supports capacity-building in tribal public health systems.