Sakinah Carter Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA
Cards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Co-Director, Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity (CEHE)
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Co-Director, Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity (CEHE)
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Co-Director, Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity (CEHE)
Contact Info
About
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Co-Director, Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity (CEHE)
Biography
Dr. Suttiratana is a Sociologist of Health and Illness whose interests include various sociocultural influences on health. She currently serves as Co-Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity at Yale Cancer Center. She also has roles in the Office of Health Equity Research, Equity Research and Innovation Center at Yale School of Medicine. She was previously Project Coordinator for the Yale Cancer Firewall Project, a social needs navigation and community engagement collaboration between Yale School of Public Health and Yale Cancer Center.
Current research projects include projects to explore contextual factors influencing vaping among diverse populations, peer mentoring and resource interventions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in technology use for management of Type 1 diabetes, implementing communications and decision tools to encourage cancer prevention and screening, and institutional practices to advance more representative clinical trials. Dr. Suttiratana also works across multiple programs and projects that seek to enhance community and stakeholder engagement in research.
Dr. Suttiratana has contributed to various translational andcommunity-based research and implementation projects among diverse U.S. and international populations. Dr. Suttiratana has professional experience in epidemiological surveillance, community based, participatory research, clinic-based research, qualitative and mixed methods design and analysis, intervention implementation, program evaluation and health leadership development in the U.S. and the Latin America and Caribbean region including work for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Appointments
General Internal Medicine
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of California, San Francisco, Sociology (Health & Illness) (2017)
- MBA
- Yale School of Management (2004)
- MPH
- Emory University, International Health (Beh. Science & Epidemiology) (1998)
Research
Overview
Cancer disparities; Modifiable risk factors, context and decision-making
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-9775-7736
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Andrea Silber, MD
Rachel Greenup, MD, MPH
Reshma Ramachandran, MD, MPP, MHS
Cary Gross, MD
Grace Kong, PhD
Joseph Ross, MD, MHS
Early Detection of Cancer
Publications
2025
Representation of Women, Older Adults, and Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Patients in Pivotal Trials for US Food and Drug Administration Novel Oncology Therapeutic Approvals, 2012-2021: Bright Spot Trials and Trends Over Time.
Miller J, Pelletiers W, Gross C, Mello M, Ramachandran R, Schwartz J, Suttiratana S, Varma T, Ross J. Representation of Women, Older Adults, and Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Patients in Pivotal Trials for US Food and Drug Administration Novel Oncology Therapeutic Approvals, 2012-2021: Bright Spot Trials and Trends Over Time. JCO Oncology Practice 2025, op2400563. PMID: 40493876, DOI: 10.1200/op-24-00563.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood and Drug AdministrationOncology therapeuticsLatino patientsBlack patientsTherapeutic approvalsOlder adultsRetrospective cross-sectional studyUS Food and Drug AdministrationTrial characteristicsMinoritized patientsUS patient populationSpot trialsPivotal trialsPatient demographicsPatient populationRepresentative patientsTrial enrollmentUS Census dataDrug AdministrationPatientsStudy of trialsTrialsOncologyWomenClinical trial diversityHeterogeneity in Abortion Coverage: A Qualitative Analysis of State Medicaid Policies [ID 1222]
Jiang J, Ho S, Suttiratana S, Owda R, Owda D, Khidir H. Heterogeneity in Abortion Coverage: A Qualitative Analysis of State Medicaid Policies [ID 1222]. Obstetrics And Gynecology 2025, 145: 3s-3s. DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005916.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbortion coverageHyde AmendmentCases of rapeLife endangermentMedicaid policiesRapeAdministrative requirementsIncestAbortion carePregnant personsState fundingAmendmentsEquitable accessState Medicaid policiesHealth insuranceCoverage requirementsAbortionIterative codebookMedicaidPolicyStateFundingSupplemental coverageThematic analysisState dependence244 Community perspectives on hospital accountability to equity
Nash K, Maclay L, Weiss L, Woo J, Baidal, Sperling A, Meyer D, Shelton R, Suttiratana S, Bardach N. 244 Community perspectives on hospital accountability to equity. Journal Of Clinical And Translational Science 2025, 9: 75-76. PMCID: PMC12050800, DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.890.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity health needs assessmentHealthcare equityHospital's roleHospitals’ community health needs assessmentsNational Committee for Quality AssuranceCommunity perspectivesCommittee for Quality AssuranceHealth needs assessmentHealth system leadersHospital accountingFocus group transcriptsQualitative thematic analysisMultidisciplinary research teamMeasurement domainRefine themesGroup transcriptsHospital actionsSystem leadersPhysical healthCommunity partnersNeeds assessmentHospital responseAnalysis of secondary dataThematic analysis of secondary dataMeasurement initiatives“Can I afford to live today?” The emotional toll of navigating the healthcare system with type 1 diabetes
Harel S, Lukasik J, Wilcox A, Lipska K, Weinzimer S, Suttiratana S, Nally L. “Can I afford to live today?” The emotional toll of navigating the healthcare system with type 1 diabetes. Frontiers In Endocrinology 2025, 16: 1555265. PMID: 40196455, PMCID: PMC11973976, DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1555265.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHealthcare systemDiabetes managementBurden of managing diabetesType 1 diabetesSelf-reported useTranscripts of semi-structuredFeelings of powerlessnessQuality of lifeFear of health problemsDaily diabetes managementDefinition of themesDiabetes supportStudy of individualsChild healthDiabetes suppliesTelephone interviewsDiabetes medicationsEmotional tollSemi-structuredHealth problemsFinancial burdenHealthcarePWDParticipantsDiabetes
2024
Supporting diversity in clinical trials: the equitable breakthroughs in medicine site maturity model
Harris T, Nunez-Smith M, Suttiratana S, Fretz S, Leonard S, Linnander E, Curry L. Supporting diversity in clinical trials: the equitable breakthroughs in medicine site maturity model. Trials 2024, 25: 764. PMID: 39543751, PMCID: PMC11566401, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08594-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSocial determinants of healthQuantitative self-report dataDeterminants of healthCommunity engagementHealth care providersRepresentation of diverse populationsSelf-reported dataSocial determinantsCare providersContent validityPotential participantsClinical trial capabilitiesClinical trial diversityDiverse populationsInclusion of diverse participantsClinical trialsAssessment of capabilitiesTrial infrastructureDiverse participantsU.S. sitesClinical researchAbstract BackgroundParticipantsDiversity effortsStructural assessmentASO Visual Abstract: Living Flat–Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy
Khubchandani J, Suttiratana S, Washington R, White-Bracey D, KC M, Silber A, Fayanju O, Butler P, Menon A, Greenup R. ASO Visual Abstract: Living Flat–Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2024, 32: 2117-2118. DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16395-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchASO Author Reflections: A Community Partnered Approach to Studying Living Flat After Mastectomy
Khubchandani J, Suttiratana S, Washington R, White-Bracey D, KC M, Silber A, Fayanju O, Butler P, Menon A, Greenup R. ASO Author Reflections: A Community Partnered Approach to Studying Living Flat After Mastectomy. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2024, 32: 117-118. PMID: 39424715, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16400-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLiving Flat: Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy
Khubchandani J, Suttiratana S, Washington R, White-Bracey D, KC M, Silber A, Fayanju O, Butler P, Menon A, Greenup R. Living Flat: Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2024, 32: 104-114. PMID: 39407064, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16337-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCancer stigmaKnowledge of family historyBreast cancer stigmaPatient-reported outcome measuresBreast cancerCommunity-partnered studyTeam-based approachPatient-reported outcomesWomen of color livingPost-mastectomy breast reconstructionQuality of lifeHealth QuestionnaireEthnic disparitiesInterview guideSemistructured interviewsThemes related to cultureResultsThe final cohortOutcome measuresWhite womenConclusionAmong womenFamily historyBreast reconstructionAdvocacy effortsStigmaFinal cohortAdaptation of the socioecological model to address disparities in engagement of Black men in prostate cancer genetic testing
Leader A, Rebbeck T, Oh W, Patel A, Winer E, Bailey L, Gomella L, Lumpkins C, Garraway I, Aiello L, Baskin M, Cheng H, Cooney K, Ganzak A, George D, Halabi S, Hathaway F, Healy C, Kim J, Leapman M, Loeb S, Maxwell K, McNair C, Morgan T, Prindeville B, Soule H, Steward W, Suttiratana S, Taplin M, Yamoah K, Fortune T, Bennett K, Blanding-Godbolt J, Gross L, Giri V. Adaptation of the socioecological model to address disparities in engagement of Black men in prostate cancer genetic testing. BMC Public Health 2024, 24: 2533. PMID: 39289635, PMCID: PMC11409532, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20008-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSocioecological modelGermline testingHealthcare institutionsCancer genetic testingHereditary cancer implicationsEquity frameworkBlack malesCancer screeningReduce disparitiesBackgroundBlack menCommunity liaisonCommunity stakeholdersMixed-methods approachOvercome barriersImprovement PartnershipCommunity eventsCascade testingModified Delphi modelRate of prostate cancerGenetic testingCancer implicationsEducation programsBlack menEquitable strategiesIncreased engagementHarnessing policy to promote inclusive medical product evidence: development of a reference standard and structured audit of clinical trial diversity policies
Miller J, Pelletiers W, Suttiratana S, Mensah M, Schwartz J, Ramachandran R, Gross C, Ross J. Harnessing policy to promote inclusive medical product evidence: development of a reference standard and structured audit of clinical trial diversity policies. BMJ Medicine 2024, 3: e000920. PMID: 39175919, PMCID: PMC11340651, DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2024-000920.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsUS Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug AdministrationClinical trialsReference standardDrug AdministrationInternational Federation of Pharmaceutical ManufacturersTrial designPhases of clinical trialsEuropean Medicines AgencyEnrollment targetsPharmaceutical company websitesTrial recruitmentPatient populationImprove patient awarenessInternational FederationMedicines AgencyWorld Health OrganizationEligibility criteriaCompany policiesDiversity policiesStakeholder guidanceTrialsFDAPharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of AmericaCharacteristics of participants
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Activities
activity Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
2022 - PresentPeer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsGrant ReviewerDetailsScientist Reviewer for PCORI’s 22C2 Science of Engagement panel
News
News
- June 29, 2025
YCC Publications 2025
- October 28, 2024
Living Flat: Study Sheds Light on Challenges for Women of Color After Breast Cancer Surgery
- September 10, 2024
NIH Recognizes Yale’s Expertise in the Genetics of Rare Diseases
- February 26, 2024
Sakinah Carter Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA, in honor of National Cancer Prevention Month