Ashley V. Hill, DrPH, MPH

My research aims to reduce disparities in sexually transmitted infections (STI) and reproductive sequela for young people.  Specifically, I examine social determinants of adverse sexual and reproductive outcomes with the long-term goal of developing strategies to reduce reproductive morbidity.  This research will ultimately dismantle systems that prohibit reproductive health equity.  I have taken a novel approach to this serious public health issue by applying a syndemic framework to examine multiple contributors that increase risk of STIs in young adults.  As a reproductive epidemiologist, my research agenda is grounded in syndemics, Critical Race and Public Health Critical Race theoretical frameworks that integrates epidemiologic study design, intervention development and community partnered research.  My research findings to date highlight the need for multilevel approaches to addressing systemic inequities that heavily influence women’s environments, behaviors, and experiences.  My research goals are to (1) develop measures of structural inequity, (2) understand the influence of discrimination on minority women’s sexual health, and (3) develop and assess feasibility and efficacy of multilevel interventions addressing structural inequity, interpersonal and individual level risk for adverse reproductive health. 

2012 | Spelman College, Atlanta, GA | Bachelor of Science 

2014 | Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA | Master of Public Health 

2019 | Texas A&M University | Doctor of Public Health

1. Seed Special Cycle Minigrant,  (Co-PI: Hill, Stokes)                        01/10/2020 - 12/31/2021

University of Pittsburgh Office of the Provost

Exploring Black Undergraduate College Women’s Experiences with Sexual Misconduct: Knowledge of Resources, Barriers to Access, and Strategies to Improve Engagement and Outcomes.

2. NIH Loan Repayment Program (Health Disparities), Hill (PI)          08/13/2020 - 07/25/2022

Syndemic Indicators of Adverse Reproductive Outcomes in Black Young Women. 

This program provides loan repayment for scholars conducting research in the areas of health disparities. Hill’s projects for this grant relate to understand the influence syndemic co-occurring social and structural determinants of sexual and reproductive health (e.g. racism, discrimination) on disparities in pregnancy and birth outcomes.

3. NIMHD Diversity Supplement, Hill (PI)                                              04/01/2021 – 03/31/2023

Exploring Indicators of Inequity and Influences on Girls Reproductive Health.

Disparities in sexually transmitted infections (STI) are stark and disproportionately impact Black girls and women. This proposed project will examine the impacts of structural inequity on sexual health. Results are expected to inform violence and STI prevention research by providing a foundation for integrating fundamental social determinants of health and intersectional frameworks into intervention design.

4.  Disparities in COVID-19 Therapeutics and Vaccination                  07/15/2021 - 07/15/2022

     Pilot Grant Program, Hill (PI)

University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI)

Racial inequities in COVID Vaccine Uptake & Access

This study will identify factors related to vaccine uptake and hesitancy, assess experiences of COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Black residents in Pittsburgh, PA and estimate COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates across Allegheny County and by race/ethnicity and over time. Results will provide timely data for local decision-making and prevent and redress poor COVID-19 outcomes among historically oppressed populations.

Member, Community Health Working Group,  Black Equity Coalition 

Member, Health and Wellness Working Group, Black Girls Equity Alliance 

Member, American Public Health Association 

Member, Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologists 

Member, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

1. Hill AV, Perez-Patron M, Tekwe CD, Menon R, Hairrell D, & Taylor BD. Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with medically indicated preterm birth and preeclampsia in young pregnant women. Sex Transm Dis. 2020;47(4):246‐252. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001134. PubMed PMID: 32004256.
2. Hill AV, Menon R, Perez-Patron M, Carrillo G, Xu X, Taylor BD. High-mobility group box 1 at the time of parturition in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.  Am J Reprod Immunol. 2019;82(5):e13175. doi:10.1111/aji.13175. PubMed PMID: 31353785.
3. Hill AV, Nehme E, Elerian N, Puga ED, Taylor BD, Lakey D, Patel DA. Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Programs in Texas Hospitals Following Changes to Medicaid Reimbursement Policy.  Matern Child Health J. 2019 Jul 30;. 23(12):1595-603. doi: 10.1007/s10995-019-02763-y. PubMed PMID: 31363887.
4. Hill AV, De Genna NM, Perez-Patron MJ, Gilreath TD, Tekwe C, Taylor BD. Identifying Syndemics for Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Adults in the United States: A Latent Class Analysis. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Mar;64(3):319-326. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.006. Epub 2018 Nov 14. PubMed PMID: 30447953.

5. Hill AV, Geffel KM, Lavage DR, Davis A, Dwarakanath N, Ettinger AK, Ragavan M. Parent-reported intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19: Influences of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination. Clinical Pediatrics. 2021. doi.org/10.1177/00099228211046499

6. Hill AV, Mendez DD, Haggerty CL, Miller E, De Genna NM. Syndemics of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Young Women. Maternal and Child Health. 2021. 10.1007/s10995-021-03335-9

Full bibliography:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/ashley.hill.1/bibliography/public/