Trace Kershaw, PhD
he/him/his
Department Chair and Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)DownloadHi-Res Photo
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Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
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Yale School of Public Health
Room 415, 60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
United States
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Titles
Department Chair and Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Biography
Trace Kershaw, PhD, focuses on the social and structural determinants of health (e.g., sexual health, substance use, mental health, reproductive health) among adolescents and emerging adults. His current focus is using innovative technologic methods to understand how social (e.g., how ones friends, partners, and family) and geographic context (e.g., how the places one goes and lives) influences their behaviors and health. Further, he is an expert in developing interventions aimed to improve the health and well being of adolescents and emerging adults.
He is the Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Director of two HIV Training Grants (Yale AIDS Prevention Training, Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars), and Director of the the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA). He has twice won Mentor of the Year. He also serves on expert panels for the NIH and CDC and on several journal editorial boards.
Last Updated on April 07, 2025.
Appointments
Social and Behavioral Sciences
ChairDualSocial and Behavioral Sciences
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS
- ENRICH
- Global Health Studies
- Office of Global Health Education
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Institute for Global Health
- Yale School of Public Health
- Yale Ventures
- Yale-UPR Integrated HIV Basic and Clinical Sciences Initiative
- YSPH Global Health Concentration
Education & Training
- PhD
- Wayne State University (2000)
Research
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Overview
Understanding Cell Phone Networks Using Cell Phones: This project uses Mobile Spy (www.mobile-spy.com) software to document all cell phone calls, text messages, and GPS coordinates that members of social networks make to each other to better understand how communication and information flow within networks influences health.
Medical Research Interests
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Epidemiology; Global Health; HIV; India; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Public Health; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Public Health Interests
Community Health; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice; HIV/AIDS; Global Health; Maternal & Child Health; Infectious Diseases
ORCID
0000-0002-3300-1355- View Lab Website
Empower Neighborhoods and Relationships to Improve Community Health
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Trace Kershaw's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Trace Kershaw's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Trace Kershaw is interested in exploring.
E. Jennifer Edelman, MD, MHS, BS
Jaleah Rutledge
Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD
Jasmine Abrams
Jessica Lewis, PhD, LMFT, MPhil
John Dovidio
55Publications
459Citations
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Publications
2025
Association Between Gender Affirmation and Adoption Interest Among a Large Sample of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Populations in Washington State, 2023.
Ogunbajo A, DeAtley T, Breslow A, Gamarel K, Operario D, Kershaw T, Tavernier R, Restar A. Association Between Gender Affirmation and Adoption Interest Among a Large Sample of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Populations in Washington State, 2023. American Journal Of Public Health 2025, e1-e11. PMID: 41380155, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308312.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLegal gender affirmationGender affirmationSample of transgenderGender diverse adultsHealth care indicatorsHealth care accessGender diverse populationsFamily-planning servicesMultinomial logistic regressionInternalized transphobiaCare indicatorsCare accessHealth ProjectSociodemographic characteristicsFood insecurityWashington StateHigher RatesEducational attainmentEconomic stabilityExpressed interestComprehensive initiativeLogistic regressionPrivate insurancePsychological factorsGender diversityImpact of structurally transphobic policy environment on harmful alcohol and substance use among transgender and nonbinary adults
Baker A, DeAtley T, Ogunbajo A, Lucas R, Dusic E, Gutiérrez J, Bambilla A, Widmann N, Suen D, Martin A, Shook A, Schwarz D, Shimkin G, Grandberry V, Xanadu X, Operario D, Kershaw T, Gamarel K, Restar A. Impact of structurally transphobic policy environment on harmful alcohol and substance use among transgender and nonbinary adults. Scientific Reports 2025, 15: 43218. PMID: 41350330, PMCID: PMC12680625, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-27266-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHarmful alcohol usePolicy environmentDrug useAlcohol useUnhealthy alcohol usePeople of colorAdult trans womenSubstance use behaviorsTrans rightsNonbinary adultsTrans womenSubstance use outcomesTGD adultsTGD individualsTrans healthPrevalence of alcoholAssociated with substance use outcomesSocial safetySubstance useEnvironment indicatorsTransgenderUnhealthy drug usePolicyRisk behaviorsUse behaviorsThe tracking and reducing alcohol consumption (TRAC) intervention for veterans living with HIV/AIDS: results from a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial
Lauckner C, Adatorwovor R, Taylor E, Sesenu F, Tanner T, Whitmire A, Marconi V, Kershaw T, Hansen N. The tracking and reducing alcohol consumption (TRAC) intervention for veterans living with HIV/AIDS: results from a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2025 PMID: 41339902, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-025-00631-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRandomized waitlist-controlled trialWaitlist-controlled trialAlcohol useAntiretroviral therapy useIntervention groupCognitive behavioral therapyDrinking-related outcomesBinge drinking episodesTreatment self-efficacyAntiretroviral therapyImmediate intervention groupStatistically significant due to low powerAntiretroviral therapy adherenceLong-term effectsRelative to controlsBehavioral therapyDifference-in-differences analysisWaitlist controlDrinking episodesRandomized Controlled TrialsMotivational interviewingAlcohol misuseBreathalyzer readingsMonitoring of alcoholTrial RegistrationThis studyStanding Up for Core Principles in Departments of Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health: Department Chairs Speak Out.
Austin S, Cohen J, Cooper S, Emmons K, Gee G, Green K, Hawk M, Hudson D, Kershaw T, Operario D, Ribisl K, Rodriguez-Diaz C, Sacheck J, Shaw B, Sikkema K, Vander Weg M. Standing Up for Core Principles in Departments of Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health: Department Chairs Speak Out. American Journal Of Public Health 2025, 115: 1767-1772. PMID: 41061205, PMCID: PMC12510098, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308283.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricDefining the Social-Spatial Determinants of Health Through Transformative Critical Praxis
Takenaka B, Opara I, Kershaw T. Defining the Social-Spatial Determinants of Health Through Transformative Critical Praxis. Global Perspectives On Health Geography 2025, 33-49. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-88463-4_3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInvisible Tethers: The Role of Social Networks in Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Among Adult Women
Katague M, Kershaw T, Sharpless L, Alexander K, Willie T. Invisible Tethers: The Role of Social Networks in Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Among Adult Women. Women's Health Issues 2025, 35: 493-502. PMID: 41076312, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2025.09.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsIntimate partner violence experiencesIntimate partner violencePosttraumatic stress disorderAssociated with less severe depressive symptomsSocial network characteristicsSevere depressive symptomsPartner violenceParticipants' social networksNetwork membersExperience of intimate partner violenceDepressive symptomsPresence of posttraumatic stress disorderTrauma-informed interventionsMental healthSocial networksMental health concernsMental health outcomesPTSD symptomatologyDepressive symptomatologyStress disorderNetwork characteristicsDepressionPercentage of menViolenceSocial isolationMixed methods pilot evaluation of a gender-sensitivity training for HIV care providers in Uganda: Effects on providers and clients
Sileo K, Wanyenze R, Anecho A, Luttinen R, Weston K, Mukasa B, Mukama S, Vermund S, Dworkin S, Dovidio J, Taylor B, Kershaw T. Mixed methods pilot evaluation of a gender-sensitivity training for HIV care providers in Uganda: Effects on providers and clients. PLOS Global Public Health 2025, 5: e0004247. PMID: 40966269, PMCID: PMC12445538, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004247.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGender sensitivity trainingHIV care providersCare providersGender normsProvider behaviorProvider capacityQuasi-experimental controlled trialGender-based violenceGender-related knowledgePerceived care qualityGender-sensitive careHIV care engagementQualitative dataClient-centered practiceClient-centered communicationExit focus groupsSub-Saharan AfricaCare competenciesStigma reductionCare barriersCare qualityIntervention clinicsCare engagementProvider practicesHIV careSubstance use, stigma, and coping in treatment: A qualitative study of participant perspectives
Carroll K, Warnock C, Ondrusek A, Griffith F, Viera A, Hopkins N, Muniz-Almaguer C, Jian C, Ferrara C, Muilenburg J, Kershaw T. Substance use, stigma, and coping in treatment: A qualitative study of participant perspectives. Drug And Alcohol Dependence Reports 2025, 17: 100380. PMID: 41050721, PMCID: PMC12494836, DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100380.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsQualitative studyRecovery-oriented careExperiences of stigmaCulturally responsive careSubstance useTrained healthcare workersViews of peopleSemi-structured interviewsHealth stigmaSubstance use treatmentStigmatizing experiencesSubstance use treatment programsEmpathetic viewHealthcare practitionersResponsive careHealthcare workersHarm reductionCoping strategiesParticipants' perspectivesStigmaCoping approachesTreatment providersUse treatmentTreatment environmentStigmatizing practicesReinforcing social safety for transgender and non-binary communities amidst global legislative threats
Restar A, Rodriguez-Diaz C, Breslow A, Correll-King W, Kershaw T, Operario D, Gamarel K. Reinforcing social safety for transgender and non-binary communities amidst global legislative threats. The Lancet 2025, 406: 110-113. PMID: 40516567, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(25)00758-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricDèyè mòn, gen mòn: Qualitative examination of drivers and facilitators of stigma as a barrier to sexual and maternal healthcare in Haiti
Abrams J, Rutledge J, Raskin E, Kiyanda A, Gaillard J, Maxwell M, Kershaw T. Dèyè mòn, gen mòn: Qualitative examination of drivers and facilitators of stigma as a barrier to sexual and maternal healthcare in Haiti. SSM - Qualitative Research In Health 2025, 7: 100556. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100556.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMaternal healthcarePregnant womenMaternal health care providersLack of hospital resourcesHIV stigma experiencesMaternal healthcare accessHIV-related stigmaDeterminants of healthHIV-positive pregnant womenOrigins of stigmaHealth care providersPregnant women's accessRisk of contracting HIVLow testing ratesHIV-negative pregnant womenRelated stigmaStigma experiencesQuality careCare providersHealthcare accessRural HaitiHospital policiesComprehensive interventionThematic analysisFocus groups
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity HIV Prevention Among Sex Workers and Their Clients in India and Structural Interventions
01/01/2011 - PresentResearchDetailsIndiaAbstract/SynopsisSupport CARE and other Avahan partners in implementing structural interventions for HIV prevention among sex workers and their clients.
Honors
honor Award for Excellence on Mentoring
05/25/2008UnknownYale School of Public HealthDetailsUnited Stateshonor Award for Excellence in Teaching, Yale School of Public Health
01/01/2006UnknownDetailsUnited States
News
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News
- November 05, 2025
YSPH alums explore issues of race at film screening
- June 30, 2025
A Data-Driven Approach to Understanding Church Closures
- March 09, 2025
YSPH Research & Discoveries February 2025
- January 23, 2025
Ijeoma Opara Receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
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Yale School of Public Health
Room 415, 60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
United States
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60 College Street
Academic Office
Ste 415
New Haven, CT 06510