Andrea Polonijo

Andrea Polonijo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California Merced. Her research focuses on public health disparities, LGBTQ+ aging, and vaccination equity, particularly among marginalized populations such as older adults living with HIV and transgender communities. She employs community-engaged methodologies, collaborating with academic and grassroots organizations to design interventions addressing social determinants of health.

Her work emphasizes qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, exploring barriers to vaccination uptake, mental health interventions for long-term HIV survivors, and the intersection of gender identity and healthcare accessibility. Notable projects include co-creating a virtual support system for aging HIV patients and investigating HPV vaccination attitudes among mid-adult men in medically underserved regions.

Polonijo’s research bridges sociology and public health, advocating for policy changes that address systemic inequities in healthcare access. Her current studies examine social support networks, digital health tools, and stigma reduction strategies in underserved communities. Despite no listed awards, her contributions to LGBTQ+ health equity and aging populations are recognized through influential peer-reviewed publications.