Carrie Henning-Smith

Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota. She serves as Co-Director of the Rural Health Research Center and Director of Graduate Studies for the Health Equity Minor. Her research focuses on health equity, particularly addressing structural and political barriers to health for rural residents and older adults. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota (PhD, MS in Health Services Research) and the University of Michigan (MPH in Health Behavior).

Dr. Henning-Smith’s expertise spans rural health, aging, long-term care, disability, and health policy. Her work highlights disparities in access to care, environmental impacts on health, and social determinants such as housing and social support. She has been recognized with awards including the McKnight Presidential Fellowship (2022–2025) and the National Rural Health Association Volunteer of the Year (2022).

Her research portfolio includes studies on rural healthcare workforce retention, farmer mental health programs, medical debt burdens, and elder abuse prevention. She collaborates across sectors to address aging-in-place challenges and advocates for policy changes to improve rural health equity. Key informant interviews and community-based research are central to her methodologies.

• Education:
• PhD, Health Services Research, Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota
• MS, Health Services Research, Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota
• MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan
• MSW, Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health, Claremont McKenna College (BA in International Relations)

Her recent articles examine rural-urban disparities in healthcare affordability, social isolation among older adults, and the impact of state-level policies on LGBTQ+ youth mental health. She actively contributes to statewide age-friendly initiatives and evaluates programs like the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grants.

• Awards:
• McKnight Presidential Fellow, 2022–2025
• Fesler-Lampert Chair in Aging Studies, 2021–2022
• National Rural Health Association Volunteer of the Year, 2022

Dr. Henning-Smith’s work bridges academic research and policy, emphasizing actionable solutions for rural health challenges. She leads multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with state agencies to design interventions addressing housing instability, social cohesion, and healthcare access gaps.