Margaret Butler

Margaret Butler is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research focuses on the intersection of social determinants of health, maternal and child well-being, and structural inequities. She investigates how factors like socioeconomic status, racism, environmental conditions, and water insecurity impact breastfeeding practices, pregnancy outcomes, and mental health. Her work spans multiple countries, including Bangladesh, the Philippines, and the U.S., with a particular emphasis on marginalized populations.

Key research themes include:

• Breastfeeding disparities linked to race, education, and socioeconomic status
• Inflammation pathways in pregnancy among low-income women
• Structural racism's effects on maternal health outcomes
• Water insecurity's impact on infant feeding and health

Her interdisciplinary approach combines epidemiological data with qualitative insights, often collaborating with global networks like the Household Water Insecurity Experiences-Research Coordination Network (HWISE-RCN).

Notable findings include connections between neighborhood police activity and preterm birth disparities, as well as how climate-related stressors like high temperatures influence breastfeeding behaviors in vulnerable communities.