Rourke O'Brien

Dr. Rourke O'Brien is an Associate Professor with primary appointments in Sociology and Health Policy & Management at Yale University and secondary appointments at the Institution for Social and Policy Studies. His research examines the intersection of social policy, economic opportunity, and health outcomes.

His research focuses on economic mobility, racial disparities in health and economic outcomes, the impacts of social policies on vulnerable populations, and the relationship between economic shocks and public health outcomes. He employs mixed methods including econometric analysis, field experiments, and spatial analysis.

Dr. O'Brien's recent publications examine how fiscal policies, labor market changes, and criminal justice systems affect economic mobility and health disparities. His work frequently analyzes administrative burdens in social programs, spatial variation in mortality, and racial inequities in economic outcomes.

He leads research projects examining the social determinants of health and economic wellbeing, with funding from various foundations and research institutions. Dr. O'Brien mentors graduate students in sociology and health policy programs.