Shira Goldenberg

Shira Goldenberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at San Diego State University (SDSU), and the Track Director for the Epidemiology program in the Joint Doctoral Program. Her work focuses on health equity, migration, and marginalized populations, particularly sex workers and im/migrant communities. She leads research on structural barriers to healthcare access, overdose prevention, and the impacts of criminalization and policy on vulnerable groups.

Educational background details are not explicitly provided in the text, but her role as a Track Director suggests advanced academic credentials in epidemiology. Her research spans multiple countries including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Uganda, emphasizing global health disparities.

Key research interests include: (1) Structural violence and health inequities among sex workers, (2) Immigration policies and health access, (3) Overdose prevention strategies, (4) Gender and racial disparities in healthcare, and (5) Intersectional approaches to public health. Her work combines quantitative epidemiology with qualitative community-based studies.

Recent studies highlight the role of criminalization in exacerbating health risks for sex workers, the impact of pandemic-related disruptions on im/migrant health services, and innovative interventions like community-administered naloxone programs. Her articles frequently address policy implications for improving healthcare equity.

Dr. Goldenberg collaborates with sex worker-led organizations and migrant communities to ensure participatory research practices. She advocates for evidence-based policies that address systemic barriers to healthcare, particularly for populations facing legal or social marginalization.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Joint Doctoral Program at SDSU, and partners with community-based organizations in Vancouver, Tijuana, and border regions. Research projects often involve interdisciplinary teams focusing on migrant health and harm reduction.