Abstract: Despite increasing recognition of the importance of healthcare access for young adults, college students' utilization patterns—particularly in relation to insurance type—remain understudied. Self-efficacy in navigating health insurance systems plays a key role in overcoming these barriers. Many universities provide Student Health Insurance Plans (SHIPs) to supplement or replace external coverage, yet little is known about how plan type affects students' ability to seek and receive appropriate healthcare. This study explores how insurance coverage influences healthcare utilization, namely between SHIP and other plans. A total of 192 students completed a survey assessing the use of health services, insurance type, and confidence in understanding the healthcare system, using the Health Insurance Literacy Measure (HILM). Of this population, 92 (47.9%) were enrolled in SHIP and 100 (52.1%) relied solely on external insurance. While specific service use did not significantly vary by plan type, SHIP enrollees were significantly more likely to have foregone all healthcare in the past year (p<0.01). On average, students, regardless of plan type, reported significantly lower scores on all subscales of the HILM, and students with SHIP scored significantly lower than externally insured students in confidence selecting a health plan (p<0.01). These findings underscore the need for targeted health insurance education and campus support systems to enhance students' ability to navigate care effectively.

This project is part of a larger study with two components (see Health Insurance and Healthcare Acquisition Decision-Making project). The quantitative project will field a survey to assess differences in utilization and reported obstacles in receiving healthcare with respect to insurance coverage. The qualitative project will interview students to illustrate and analyze the decision-making process and experiences of students navigating the UC healthcare and health insurance system.

Research Associates: Natalie Teng, Asha Patel, Ryan Mirin, Emma He, & Doyeon Han

Faculty Mentor: Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management

Poster Presentations: Semel Healthy Campus Initiative, Psi Chi Psychology Research Conference, Medical Aid Initiative Symposium, and Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Association Poster Day in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Oral Presentations: Bruins Public Health Fair and UCLA Undergraduate Research Week in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Abstract: College students often face significant barriers to acquiring and utilizing healthcare services. Recognizing a need for coverage, many universities like the University of California (UC) system, have implemented Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for students to access care on campus. However, its impact on healthcare acquisition and utilization patterns remains understudied. 

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to examine how insurance type – UCSHIP and/or external insurance– affects healthcare usage among undergraduate students. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, followed by a screening process to ensure diversity across various demographics including race, insurance types, etc. Twelve semi-structured audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed using a deductive and inductive approach by three researchers. 

Analyses of interviews indicate externally insured students often delay care until academic breaks to see providers at home, but may face elevated risks when care is needed during the term due to restricted on-campus healthcare access and higher out-of-pocket costs. Across insurance types, current healthcare utilization behaviors often mirror pre-college tendencies and are largely shaped by parental attitudes towards routine healthcare. While this study is ongoing, we anticipate these themes to persist in future interviews. 

Our findings identify disparities in college students’ understanding of healthcare systems and highlight barriers that prevent college students from seeking routine and preventative care. While further research is needed to examine how specific demographics impact undergraduate health literacy and efficacy, our research is fundamental in addressing ways in which campus administration can better aid students in navigating their health insurance and care.

This project is part of a larger study with two components (see Cultural Health Capital and Literacy: Healthcare Acquisition and Health Insurance). The quantitative project will field a survey to assess differences in utilization and reported obstacles in receiving healthcare with respect to insurance coverage. The qualitative project will interview students to illustrate and analyze the decision-making process and experiences of students navigating the UC healthcare and health insurance system.

Research Associates: Hannah Butalid, Kayla Le, Danibel Kasbari, Niki Shiva, Melia Kenny, & Leah Wildmann

Faculty Mentors: Xi Zhu, Professor and Paul Torrens Chair of Health Policy and Management, Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management

Poster Presentations: Semel Healthy Campus Initiative, Psi Chi Psychology Research Conference, Medical Aid Initiative Symposium, and Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Association Poster Day in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Oral Presentations: Bruins Public Health Fair and UCLA Undergraduate Research Week in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Abstract: Linguistic and geographic barriers significantly hinder access to substance use treatment. While such barriers have been studied among Spanish-speaking populations in Los Angeles County, research on Chinese Americans—the county’s largest Asian American subgroup—remains limited, despite their rapid population growth. Using U.S. Census data and SAMHSA facility information, we identified 14 high-need, underserved census tracts in the Monterey Park, Diamond Bar/Walnut, and Palos Verdes areas. These areas had high concentrations of Chinese-speaking residents and were located far from treatment centers offering Chinese language support. However, analysis of overdose mortality data from the LA County Department of Public Health revealed a significant negative correlation (β = -0.115 [-0.180, -0.050]) between Asian American population percentage and overdose mortality rates, with all 14 census tracts identified having low overdose mortality. This suggests limited immediate demand for expanded treatment services in these regions. 

Research Associates: Luna Takahashi, Anne Wang, Miah Chao, Catherine Wang, & Nina Zhang

Mentor: Cindy Pang, PhD Candidate

Poster Presentation: Community Service Commission Service Impact Summit in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Oral Presentations: Bruins Public Health Fair and UCLA Undergraduate Research Week in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Abstract: Gun violence, declared as a public health crisis, remains a significant issue in the United States of America, and globally. Previous studies explored various predictors of gun violence, but fail to examine the long-term impact of historic redlining on underrepresented communities in modern times. Redlining was a racially discriminatory housing practice implemented by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation in the 1930s to systematically deny loans to People of Color. This study focuses on “red zones,” a term historically used to define areas deemed hazardous due to a high population of ethnic minorities.  Our research examines, for the first time, the lasting legacy of historic redlining and its association with current rates of gun violence in Los Angeles County.

To assess this relationship, we overlaid historic redlining maps with non-suicide firearm-related incidents for 648 census tracts. To account for spatial dependence, we used Durbin and lag spatial regression models, which captured the influence of neighboring areas. To model count data, we used a Negative Binomial distribution.

Our analysis reveals that historically redlined areas experience higher rates of gun violence, suggesting the enduring impact of these discriminatory practices (β = 2.43, p < 0.01). These findings highlight the need for policy interventions targeting areas most affected by historic redlining. Future research will investigate how factors such as firearm access, mental health resources, and educational opportunities mediate the relationship between historic redlining and gun violence. The time to address historically racist policy in an attempt to promote change for the future is now.

Research Associates: Sophia Adkins, Evalyse Estradaflores, Jocelyn Hebish, Elizabeth Murray, & Yuvraj Walia

Poster Presentations: UCLA Interdisciplinary Conference in Gun Violence Reduction, Community Service Commission Service Impact Summit, and Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Association Poster Day (2025)

Oral Presentation: Bruins Public Health Fair and UCLA Undergraduate Research Week in Los Angeles, California (2025)

Abstract: Substance abuse is a prevalent issue among U.S. college students and websites play a crucial role guiding students to resources – such as helplines, support groups, and counseling – to facilitate prevention and treatment. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and identify opportunities for improvement for these websites to act as more effective tools. To do this, we performed a content analysis from January to April 2024 to analyze the design and content of 29 student-targeted substance use resource websites from the nine University of California undergraduate campuses. Each website was analyzed using a codebook which compiles 15 website features into five main categories: usability and accessibility, interactivity and engagement, design and aesthetics, timeliness and updates, and content. Of the 29 websites identified, 100% met the criteria for the mobile responsiveness category. However, 31-34% did not have all working links and only 34-38% included digitalized personal tools for cessation support. High inter-UC campus variance revealed that UC Davis offered consistently high-scoring websites, whereas campuses like UCLA and UC Merced met far fewer of the criteria on average. Consistent with concerns that colleges and universities neglect cessation resources, the online substance use resources offered by UC campuses do not reliably meet our definition of quality and content standards necessary for accessible use. This reveals potential obstacles for UC students who are seeking substance use cessation support for themselves or others.

Research conducted in collaboration with the Anti-Vaping Champions, a collaboration between the UCLA Health Division of Medicine-Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine and the California Tobacco Prevention Program.

Research Associates: Miah Chao, Alanna Lemp, Nick Nyein, & Catherine Wang

Mentors: Adam J. Landeros, MPH, MS & Hannah J. Kwak, MD

Poster Presentation: Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in San Bernardino, California (2024)

Oral Presentation: Bruins Public Health Fair in Los Angeles, California (2024)

Description: An examination of UC Smoke-Free policy, the availability of nicotine products near UCLA, and potential strategies to create a healthier, smoke-free environment at UCLA.

Research conducted in collaboration with the Anti-Vaping Champions, a collaboration between the UCLA Health Division of Medicine-Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine and the California Tobacco Prevention Program.

Research Associates: Leah Wildmann, Ryan Mirin, Lizzy Murray, & Rosie Sunseri

Mentors: Adam J. Landeros, MPH, MS & Hannah J. Kwak, MD

Oral Presentation: Bruins Public Health Fair in Los Angeles, California (2024)