Irina Grafova

Irina Grafova, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on socio-economic determinants of health, health policy, and healthcare spending inequities. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and has collaborated with institutions like the World City Project and the Rutgers School of Nursing.

Research Interests: Grafova examines financial toxicity of cancer, neighborhood environment impacts on health, and health disparities. Her work also addresses nurse burnout and healthcare workforce challenges during the pandemic. She has been funded by NIH, AHRQ, and private foundations.

Key Contributions: Recent studies include analyses of medical debt among cancer survivors, adolescent suicide risks linked to food allergies, and nurse retention during crises. She received the Excellence in Research Award from the UMDNJ Foundation.

Collaborations & Grants: Collaborations span interdisciplinary teams, including the World City Project examining urban health inequities and nurse-centered studies at Rutgers School of Nursing. Her research explores policy solutions to address systemic healthcare financial burdens and labor market effects of caregiving roles.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in health policy initiatives within the Bloustein School, focusing on translational research to inform public health interventions and equitable healthcare systems.