>Lilian Perez
Lilian Perez
Associate Policy Researcher
Santa Monica Office
Post-doctoral fellowship in cancer prevention, National Cancer Institute; Ph.D. in public health, UC San Diego/San Diego State University; M.P.H. in public health, Emory University; B.A. in neuroscience, Wellesley College
Lilian Perez is a health equity researcher focused on the multilevel determinants (e.g., individual, social, environmental, and policy) of health and health behaviors among communities that have historically experienced inequities in the U.S. and populations in low- and middle-income countries. She has led work on a diverse range of topics, including physical activity, chronic disease prevention (e.g., cancer and cardiovascular disease), substance use, mental health, chronic pain, and vaccinations, among others. To understand and improve on the social determinants of health, Perez uses multidisciplinary approaches linking her work in community-based interventions and epidemiology with other fields such as urban planning, healthcare, and policy. She is a Gates Scholar and has received research support from the NIH. Perez has experience working in multiple settings, including the community, academia, and government (i.e., NIH and CDC). Her work focuses on evaluating community health interventions, analyzing national and cohort studies, and applying dissemination and implementation science frameworks. She is also interested in evaluating policies that affect health equity (e.g., urban planning and housing), and novel methods to study contextual effects on health. Perez received her Ph.D. from the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, her MPH from the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, and her BA in neuroscience from Wellesley College. She completed her post-doctoral training in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
Cancer Prevention;
Community Health and Well-Being;
Epidemiology;
Global Health;
Health Behaviors;
Health Equity;
Latino Populations;
Neighborhood Influences on Health;
Obesity;
Previous Positions
Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, National Cancer Institute
Linking churches with parks to increase physical activity among Latinos - Diversity Supplement
Perez, L.G.; Cohen, D.A.; Seelam, R.; Han, B.; Arredondo, E.; Castro, G.; Rodriguez, C.; Mata, M.; Larson, A.; Derose, K. , "Church contextual factors associated with Latinos' physical activity and park use," Family & Community Health, 2022
Perez, L.G.; Siconolfi, D.; Troxel, W.M.; Tucker, J.S.; Seelam, R.; Rodriguez, A.; Shih, R.A.; D'Amico, E.J., "Loneliness and multiple health domains: Associations among emerging adults," Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2021
Perez, L.G.; Peet, E.; Vegetabile, B.; Shih, R. , "Big data needs and challenges to advance research on racial and ethnic inequities in maternal and child health," Women's Health Issues, 2021
Perez, L.G.; Dong, L.; Beckman, R.; Meadows, S.O. , "Movement behaviors associated with mental health among US Military service members," Military Psychology, 2021
Perez, L.G.; Oh, A.; Dwyer, L.; Perna, F.; Berrigan, D. , "School contextual correlates of physical activity among a national adolescent sample," Preventive Medicine Reports, 14(100835), 2019
Perez, L.G.; Ruiz, J.; Berrigan, D. , "Neighborhood environment perceptions among Latinos in the US," International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17), 2019
Perez, L.G.; Kerr, J.; Sallis, J.F.; Slymen, D.; McKenzie, T.L.; Elder, J.P.; Arredondo, E.M. , "Perceived neighborhood environmental factors that maximize the effectiveness of a multilevel intervention promoting physical activity among Latinas," American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(2), 2017
Sallis, J.F.; Bull, F.; Guthold, R.; Heath, G.W.; Inoue, S.; Kelly, P.; Oyeyemi, A.L.; Perez, L.G.; Richards, J.; Hallal, P.C. , "Progress in physical activity over the Olympic quadrennium," The Lancet, 388(10051), 2016
A Latent Class Approach to Understanding Longitudinal Sleep Health and the Association with Alcohol and Cannabis Use During Late Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
Persistent poor sleep health was associated with higher levels of alcohol and cannabis use and consequences, and greater increases in alcohol-related consequences during the transition from late adolescence to emerging adulthood.
Putting Equity First in COVID-19 Vaccination
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aimed to reduce racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. Five demonstration sites implemented hyperlocal, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
The U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative: Impacts and Lessons Learned
The authors detail impacts and lessons learned from the U.S. Equity First Vaccination Initiative, which aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccination access and confidence in communities of individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Loneliness and Multiple Health Domains: Associations Among Emerging Adults
We examine associations of loneliness with physical, behavioral, and health behavior outcomes, and investigate moderating effects by sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual/gender minority status.
The U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative: Early Insights
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in U.S. coronavirus vaccination rates. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Early Insights from the Equity-First Vaccination Initiative
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Movement Behaviors Associated with Mental Health Among US Military Service Members
We analyzed data from active component service members in the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey. Findings can help inform behavior change interventions to improve psychological fitness and military readiness.
Community Health and Well-Being
Latino Populations
Neighborhood Influences on Health
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