Frances Nedjat-Haiem

Dr. Frances Nedjat-Haiem is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at San Diego State University. Her work focuses on developing interventions to improve health outcomes for underserved populations, particularly in the U.S.-Mexico border region. She specializes in psychosocial care for individuals with chronic illnesses, palliative care, and advance care planning. Her research emphasizes addressing barriers to healthcare access, financial hardship, and cultural factors impacting healthcare decisions.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work, University of Southern California (2010)
• MSW in Social Welfare, University of California Los Angeles (2001)
• BA in Psychology, California State University Long Beach (1999)

Research interests include social determinants of health, telehealth interventions, and the psychosocial needs of marginalized groups. Dr. Nedjat-Haiem collaborates with organizations like the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert to design culturally tailored programs for rural communities. Her recent work explores palliative care acceptability, advance directive navigation, and end-of-life communication barriers among Latino populations.

Her publications highlight themes such as healthcare provider attitudes, caregiver experiences, and the role of technology in patient support. Ongoing efforts focus on bridging gaps in healthcare equity through policy advocacy and community-based interventions.