معرفی
Melissa Goldin Evans, PhD, MsPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences at Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She is affiliated with the Mary Amelia Center for Women’s Health Equity Research (MAC), where she contributes to advancing reproductive health equity through community-engaged research. Her work focuses on maternal and child health, reproductive healthcare access, and policy-related disparities, particularly in Louisiana and the Gulf South region.
- PhD in Community Health Sciences, LSUHSC School of Public Health
- MsPH in Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
- BS in Exercise Science, Boston University
Dr. Evans specializes in reproductive health equity, with a strong emphasis on contraceptive access, maternal mental health, and community-centered research methodologies. Her research integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine systemic barriers affecting low-income and marginalized women. She has led and contributed to evaluations of state-funded telehealth mental health programs and postpartum home visiting initiatives.
Her recent publications (2024–2015) reflect a consistent focus on maternal health disparities, reproductive rights policy, and innovative public health interventions. Key themes include maternity care deserts, LARC uptake, racial disparities in prenatal depression, and the impact of abortion policies on maternal mortality. Her work frequently appears in leading journals such as Womens Health Issues, American Journal of Public Health, and Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Dr. Evans has been recognized with several prestigious awards:
- MatCH Scholar (2020–2022)
- Board of Regents Fellow, Louisiana State University (2012–2016)
- Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, New Orleans (2013–2014)
She is a co-investigator on a NIH-funded Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence, where she serves as deputy director of the community partners core, ensuring community voices shape research priorities. She teaches courses including SPHL 6500, SPHL 9460 (Practice-Based Portfolio), and SPHU 1010 (Intro to Public Health), mentoring students in experiential learning and public health practice. Her research is supported by federal and institutional grants focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in underserved populations.
Dr. Evans collaborates extensively with community-based organizations and coalitions, such as the New Orleans Maternal and Child Health Coalition, to co-develop interventions and advocate for systemic change. Her leadership in the Southern Center for Maternal Health Equity underscores her commitment to multisectoral, community-driven solutions to public health challenges.
