Sonya Arreola

Specialist

My research practice aims to advance critical theory that fosters structural and social change that promotes health equity among historically marginalized groups. For example, as Principal Investigator of the Global Men’s Health and Rights study, I led an international, multidisciplinary team of investigators to conduct research on barriers and enablers of health. We demonstrated how structural and social factors globally, including criminalization, heterosexism, and discrimination by health providers, are associated with poor access to, utilization of, and retention in health services. Currently, I serve as Principal or Co-Investigator on NIH- and CDC-funded studies, and Research Director of the Ginko Collaborative who, together with community partners, implement theory building and implementation studies centered on social and structural determinants of health. Our research emphasizes critical consciousness raising, communality, and uncovering multilevel drivers of health among excluded groups of LGBTQI*, people of color, immigrants, and women. I also serve as a Faculty Mentor in the Visiting Professors Program, providing mentorship and seminars on community-based participatory action research, mental health, and conceptual model building.