Sociology faculty Dr. Ning Hsieh awarded National Institutes of Health grant

"This project will provide the first systematic and population-based documentation of primary care inequities faced by sexual minority people of color, an understudied population that experiences significant and persistent health disadvantages. Findings will contribute to the understanding of unique barriers to care among specific socially disadvantaged groups and the improvement of their access, quality, and equity of care. The project will inform evidence-based interventions in clinical practices and public health measures to reduce health care and health inequities at the intersection of sexual orientation and race/ethnicity," wrote Dr. Hsieh.

MSU Sociology Professor Dr. Hui (Cathy) Liu is a co-investigator on the grant.

Dr. Hsieh is an Associate Professor of Sociology whose research broadly concerns health, sexuality, aging and social relationships. Their current work examines health and health care inequities faced by sexual minority and older populations in two focal areas: how structural inequalities influence health and hwell-being through shaping social networks and relationship quality, and the impact of intersecting social positions and indentities, particularly sexuality, gender, and race/ethnicity, on health and health care experiences.

They are also a member of the Consortium of Sexual and Gender Minority Health.

The NIH Small Grant Program (R03) supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.