Sandra Albrecht, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
On the web
Overview
Dr. Albrecht is formally trained as a social epidemiologist, with additional training in nutrition and chronic disease. She has also previously worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Her research focuses on the socio-cultural and neighborhood-level factors that contribute to the high burden of nutrition- and aging-related chronic diseases in US immigrants and among Hispanics/Latinos. Past research projects include using longitudinal and multi-level modeling approaches to investigate the social determinants of diet and cardiovascular disease risk in Hispanic/Latino and Chinese immigrants, and exploring the role of ethnic enclaves and food environments in shaping nutrition-related outcomes. Current research projects involve the use of cohort, survey, and electronic health record data to understand the social and behavioral mechanisms underlying the high burden of type 2 diabetes and its consequences among Hispanics/Latinos, with an emphasis on improving access to quality care, and affordable, healthy food.
Language skills: Fluent in English and Spanish
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
Administrative Titles
- Faculty, Columbia Population Research Center
- Co-lead, Food Systems and Public Health Certificate
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- BA, Univeristy of Pennsylvania
- MPH, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
- PhD, University of Michigan School of Public Health
Committees, Societies, Councils
Member, American Diabetes Association
Member, Society for Epidemiologic Research
Member, NY Regional Center for Diabetes Translation Research (CDTR)
Member, Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science
Research
Social and environmental determinants of nutrition-related diseases
Research Interests
- Chronic disease
- Community Health
- Food Policy and Obesity
- Public Health Education
- Urban Health
Selected Publications
Niño de Rivera J, Albrecht SS. Determinants of Diabetes Awareness Among Hispanic/Latino Adults in the U.S., 2005-2018. Diabetes Care 2024 Jun 11:dc240520.
Zakaria NI, Tehranifar P, Laferrère B, Albrecht SS. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Glycemic Control Among Insured US Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2023 Oct 2;6(10):e2336307.
Vatavuk-Serrati G, Kershaw KN, Sotres-Alvarez D, Perreira KM, Guadamuz JS, Isasi CR, Hirsch JA, Van Horn LV, Daviglus ML, Albrecht SS. Residence in Hispanic/Latino Immigrant Neighborhoods, Away-From-Home Food Consumption, and Diet Quality: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. J Acad Nutr Diet 2023 Nov;123(11):1596-1605.e2.
Maldonado LE, Sotres-Alvarez D, Mattei J, Perreira KM, McClain AC, Gallo LC, Isasi CR, Albrecht SS. Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Markers: Results From the Study of Latino Youth. Pediatrics 2022 Apr 1;149(4):e2021053781.
Albrecht SS, Osypuk TL, Kandula NR, Gallo LC, Lê-Scherban F, Shrager S, Diez Roux AV. Change in waist circumference with longer time in the US among Hispanic and Chinese immigrants: the modifying role of the neighborhood built environment. Ann Epidemiol 2015 Oct;25(10):767-772.e2.
Albrecht SS, Gordon-Larsen P, Stern D, Popkin B. Is waist circumference per body mass index rising differentially across the US, England, China, and Mexico? Eur J Clin Nutr 2015 Dec; 69(12):1306-12.
Rummo P, Albrecht SS, Gordon-Larsen P. Field validation of food outlet databases: The Latino food environment in North Carolina, USA. Public Health Nutr 2015 Apr; 18(6):977-82.
