About SangNam Ahn

SangNam Ahn, Ph.D., M.P.S.A., is an Associate Professor and a Coordinator for Health Systems and Policy PhD Program, Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, School of Public Health at the University of Memphis. He teaches two graduate-level courses including Health Policy and Population Health. He also serves as Affiliated Faculty for the Center for Health System Improvement at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as well as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Services at Texas A&M University School of Public Health. Trained as a health services researcher, Dr. Ahn has been extensively interested in the lasting health effect of childhood adversity, aging, obesity, chronic disease, and health promotion issues. Current research projects include: (1) development of a web-based cost savings estimator tool for evidence-based behavioral interventions (www.ebp-savings.info), (2) a patient- and family-centered intervention to reduce breast cancer disparities among African American women in Memphis, (3) effect of multiple chronic conditions and cumulative exposure to risky health behaviors on health-related quality of life, (4) impact of a faith-based community nurse intervention on reducing hospital re-admissions and ER visits, and (5) the lasting effect of childhood adversity on cognitive decline among older adults. As of March 2022, Dr. Ahn has published one book, two book chapters, and 79 peer-reviewed journal articles at prestigious journals including Health Services Research, BMC Public Health, European Heart Journal, International Journal of Public Health, Medical Care, Maturitas, and American Journal of Health Promotion. With his dedication to teaching and mentoring students, Dr. Ahn received David Burchfield Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award from graduating MHA students in Spring 2016.

Education

• Post-Doctoral Fellow, Program on Healthy Aging, Texas A&M University School of Public Health
• PhD, Health Services Research, Texas A&M University School of Public Health
• MPSA, Public Service and Administration, Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service
• BA, English, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea

Research Interests

• Lasting health effect of childhood adversity
• Obesity and lifestyle risk factors
• Aging and long-term care policy
• Chronic disease self-management
• Healthcare cost savings

Selected Publications  

*Indicates the author is a mentee. 

Ahn, S., Kim, S., Koh, K. (2022). Associations of the COVID-19 Pandemic with Older Individuals’ Healthcare Utilization and Self-reported Health Status: A Longitudinal Analysis from Singapore. BMC Health Services Research. 22(66). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07446-5.

*Mahmood, A., Kedia, S. K., Dobalian, A., Chang, C. F., & Ahn, S. (2022) Longitudinal associations between time-varying insomnia symptoms and all-cause healthcare services utilization among middle-aged and older adults in the US. HSR (in press).

*Mahmood, A., Ray, M., Dobalian, A., Ward, K. D., Ahn, S. (2022). Longitudinal associations between insomnia symptoms and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults: A population-based cohort study. Sleep. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsac019.

*Mahmood, A., Ray, M., Dobalian, A., Ward, K. D., Ahn, S. (2021). Insomnia Symptoms and Incident Heart Failure: A Population-Based Cohort Study. European Heart Journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab500.

Ahn, S., Hussein, M., *Mahmood, A., & Smith, M.L. (2020). Emergency Department and Inpatient Utilization among U.S. Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Post-Reform Update. BMC Health Services Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-4902-7.

Ahn, S., Zhang, H., Berlin, K. S., Levy, M., & *Kabra, R. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and childhood obesity: a path analysis approach. Children’s Health Care. DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2019.1697928.

Ahn, S., Lee, J., Post, L., Bartlett-Prescott, J., & Ward, K. (2017). Evaluation of a Behavioral Intervention with Multiple Components among Low-income, Uninsured Adults with Obesity and Diabetes. The American Journal of Health Promotion. DOI: 10.1177/0890117117696250.

Ahn, S., Kim, S., & Zhang, H. (2017). Changes in depressive symptoms among older adults with multiple chronic conditions: Role of positive and negative social supports. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14(1), 16.

Ahn, S., Smith, M. L., Altpeter, M., Post, L., & Ory, M.G. (2015). Healthcare Cost Savings Estimator Tool for Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP): A New Tool for Program Administrators and Decision Makers. Frontiers in Public Health Education and Promotion, 3: 42.

Ahn, S., Smith, M. L., Hendricks, M., & Ory, M. G. (2014). Associations of food insecurity with body mass index among baby boomers and older adults. Food Security, 6, 423-433.

Ahn, S., Basu, R., Smith, M.L., Jiang, J., Lorig, K., Whitelaw, N., & Ory, M. G. (2013). The Impact of Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs: Healthcare Savings through a Community-based Intervention. BMC Public Health. 13:1141. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1141.

Ory, M. G., Ahn, S., Jiang L., Smith, M. L., Ritter, P., Whitelaw, N., & Lorig, K. (2013). Successes of a National Study of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Meeting the Triple Aim of Health Care Reform. Medical Care, 51(11), 992-998.

Ahn S., Smith M. L., Dickerson J. B., Ory M. G. (2012). Health and Healthcare Utilization among Obese and Diabetic Baby Boomers and Older Adults. American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(2), 123-132.

Ahn, S., Zhao, H., Tai-Seale, M., Huber, C., Smith, M. L., Ory, M. G., & Phillips C. D. (2012). The longitudinal effects of behavioral, health, and socio-demographic factors on body mass index among older Chinese adults. International Journal of Public Health, 57(2), 269-277.

Ahn, S., M. Tai-Seale, C. Huber, Smith, M. L., & Ory, M. G. (2011). Psychotropic Medication Discussions in Older Adults' Primary Care Office Visits: So Much To Do, So Little Time. Aging & Mental Health, 15(5), 618-629.

Ahn, S., Huber Jr., C., Smith, M. L., Ory, M. G., & Phillips, C. D. (2011). Predictors of Body Mass Index among Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 22(4), 1190-1204.

 

Please click here for a complete listing of Dr. Ahn's publications in Google Scholar Profile.