Stephen B. Thomas

Stephen B. Thomas is Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director of the Center for Health Equity at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. A leading scholar in health disparities research, he investigates racial and ethnic inequities in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS outcomes.

Research applies evidence-based science to develop community interventions addressing chronic disease disparities. His work examines how social context shapes health behaviors, particularly regarding the Tuskegee Syphilis Study's impact on medical trust in African American communities.

Policy contributions include serving on the Maryland Health Care Commission and drafting legislation for the Maryland Health Improvement and Disparities Reduction Act (2012). Gubernatorial appointments span both Democratic and Republican administrations, reflecting bipartisan recognition of his expertise.

Research leadership extends to community-engaged studies on COVID-19 disparities, environmental justice, and vaccine equity. Current projects examine airborne chemical exposures in beauty salons serving minority communities and oral microbiome changes among tobacco users.