Krista M. Perreira

Krista M. Perreira, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Social Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and a Faculty Fellow at the Carolina Population Center. Her research focuses on the intersections of migration, family dynamics, and social policy, with an emphasis on reducing health disparities and improving health equity for immigrant populations. She holds adjunct roles in the Department of Maternal and Child Health and the Department of Health Behavior.

Her work is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaborations across public health, medicine, psychology, and sociology. Key areas include the health impacts of immigration policies, acculturation processes, and socioeconomic disparities. She has led major studies such as the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and the Southern Immigrant Academic Adaptation Study (SIAA).

Dr. Perreira has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Edward Kidder Graham Faculty Service Award and the Hettleman Prize. Her courses address topics like migration and health, medical ethics, and the social dimensions of illness. She also serves on administrative committees, including the Diversity and Inclusion Liaison for the Department of Social Medicine.

Her research has informed policies on healthcare access, particularly for immigrant families, and she has published extensively on topics ranging from food security to substance use among Hispanic/Latino populations. Her commitment to community partnerships ensures her work addresses real-world challenges in underserved communities.