Shu Wen Ng

Shu Wen Ng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. A health economist, her work bridges economics, epidemiology, sociology, and public policy to study individual and household dietary and activity behaviors, focusing on macro-level levers (e.g., taxation, industry pledges) and micro-level health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. She utilizes big-data approaches, including scanner data and time-use datasets, to analyze the impact of policies on health behaviors and disparities.

Educational Background:

• PhD in Health Policy and Management (Economics), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2009)
• BA and BSc in Economics and International Studies, Duke University (2001)

Dr. Ng’s research spans obesity prevention, health economics, behavioral economics, and food policy. She develops novel metrics to assess cultural shifts in dietary and activity patterns and evaluates the effectiveness of public health interventions. Her work emphasizes health equity and the social determinants of health, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities.

Her recent publications highlight the effects of food taxation, subsidies, and federal nutrition programs on consumer behavior, diet quality, and health disparities. These studies employ cross-national and longitudinal analyses to inform sustainable policy solutions.

Scientific Awards:

• Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Society (2015)
• Frank Porter Graham Honor Society (2015, UNC)
• Junior Faculty Development Award (2014, UNC)

Dr. Ng contributes to academic and public health communities through service roles, including the TOS Diversity Committee, Carolina Population Center Training Committee, and the Department of Nutrition MPH Committee. She is affiliated with the Carolina Population Center and UNC Food Research Program.