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Yusuf Ransome, MPH, DrPH

Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
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About

Titles

Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Biography

Founder & Director, Society, Connectedness and Health (SOCAH) Lab

"Guided by Spirit, Rooted in Experience, and Supported by Science."

Transforming public health through a holistic well-being approach. Dr. Ransome's research integrates social connectedness, contemplative practices, and digital technology to address complex public health challenges. As a leading researcher at Yale School of Public Health, his innovative work focuses on creating sustainable pathways to health, wealth, and prosperity for historically underserved communities both in the United States and globally.

Research Impact & Innovation

At the forefront of the SOCAH Lab, Dr. Ransome directs a multidisciplinary team employing methodologies in unique ways that combine:

  • Advanced quantitative survey analysis
  • In-depth qualitative research through interviews and focus groups
  • Geospatial data science applications
  • Artificial intelligence tools for public health solutions

Dr. Ransome's research has been featured in top-tier public health journals including the American Journal of Public Health and Social Science & Medicine. Dr. Ransome's commitment to accessibility ensures his findings reach beyond academia through community engagement events, digital storytelling initiatives, and practical well-being products that empower communities to thrive.

Academic Excellence & Training

Dr. Ransome brings extensive training to his work, including:

  • Alonzo Smythe Yerby Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
  • DrPH in Public Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
  • MPH in Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Vision for Transformative Impact

The SOCAH Lab's work addresses critical social determinants of health through innovative research-to-practice frameworks. By identifying and addressing root causes of sub-optimal health, Dr. Ransome's research provides actionable insights for policymakers, community organizations, faith-based institutions, government entities, and healthcare systems.

Outside the lab, Dr. Ransome enjoys playing, watching soccer, and spending time at the beach.

Last Updated on May 17, 2025.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

HIV Prevention Trials Network Domestic Scholar/ Research Fellow
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2017)
Alonso Smythe Yerby Postdoctoral Fellow
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016)
DrPH
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Sociomedical Sciences (2014)
MPH
University of Michigan School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education (2009)
BS
Brooklyn College, Business Management and Science (2003)

Research

Overview

Dr. Ransome's current priority research areas include:

  • Building social connectedness to buffer mental health, improve community resilience, and reduce healthcare costs.
  • Strengthening faith-based infrastructure to improve community health and economic well-being.
  • Developing interventions that integrate contemplative practices, belief systems, and artificial intelligence to strengthen well-being.
  • Leveraging the science of strengths through portable technologies to optimize well-being.

Medical Research Interests

Psychological Well-Being; Social Determinants of Health; Socioeconomic Factors

Public Health Interests

Community Health; Social Entrepreneurship

Research at a Glance

Publications Timeline

A big-picture view of Yusuf Ransome's research output by year.
25Publications
141Citations

Publications

Featured Publications

2025

2024

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

Activities

  • activity

    No Learner Left Behind: Ensuring Equity and Access in the Age of Acceleration

  • activity

    Global Health and Spirituality

  • activity

    Stronger Together: Building & Sustaining Black Communities

  • activity

    Psychometric Properties of Spiritual Social Connectedness: Implications for Mental Health

  • activity

    Social Capital/Cohesion and HIV research

Honors

  • honor

    Public Voices Fellowship with Yale and The OpEd Project

  • honor

    Office of Health Equity Research (OHER) Award

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