Casey Pinto

Casey Pinto, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine, affiliated with the Penn State Cancer Institute. Her work focuses on rural-urban disparities in adolescent STI prevalence and behavioral/social factors influencing health outcomes. She holds a PhD from Penn State College of Medicine (2016) and has extensive clinical experience as an infectious disease nurse practitioner since 2009. Professional roles include collaborating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on STD care and teaching courses in infectious diseases and public health practice.

Research interests emphasize STI epidemiology, persistent poverty's impact on health behaviors, and healthcare access. Notable contributions include studies on congenital syphilis, telehealth utilization for mental health, and HPV vaccination trends during the pandemic. She has received multiple Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2023-2024).

Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and education. Current projects explore rural health disparities, cancer risk behaviors in impoverished counties, and the intersection of travel time and healthcare accessibility for older adults.