Alexis A Merdjanoff

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Director of the Environmental Public Health Program

Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Alexis Merdjanoff is the Director of the Environmental Public Health Program and Assistant Professor in Social and Behavioral Sciences at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. She is a public health sociologist who explores how population health is affected by exposure to natural hazards, including hurricanes, floods, extreme heat and wildfires. Dr. Merdjanoff is particularly interested in how social inequalities shape the impact of hazards on health, recovery, and resilience for vulnerable populations. To do so, she collects and analyzes survey and interview data to form a holistic understanding of how individuals and communities are affected by these events. While disasters have traditionally been thought of as finite phenomena—with a majority of research focused on the immediate consequences—her research reveals how environmental stressors can lead to economic, emotional, and health burdens long after an event has passed. By focusing on the long-term effects of disasters, she has been able to determine why some survivors are able to recover quickly while others remain mired for months or years.

As Director of Research for the Population Impact, Recovery and Resilience (PiR2) research program, she is currently working on several studies, including the longitudinal Katrina@10 Program, the Sandy Child and Family Health (S-CAFH) Study, and SCALE-UP East Boston to answer questions related to improving the health and well-being of populations exposed to disasters and climate change. More recently, her work has explored the post-disaster resilience of older adults and how older adults can successfully age in high-risk coastal areas. Using in-depth interviews, she aims to identify the resources that older adults need to be resilient, including the social and physical infrastructures needed to successfully prepare for and recover from acute and chronic natural hazards. Her goal is to understand how older adults can successfully adapt to and prepare for coastal erosion, frequent flooding, heatwaves, and disasters.

Dr. Merdjanoff frequently engages in mixed-methods research, including semi-structured in-depth interviewing, focus groups, and survey analysis. Trained as a sociologist, she believes in a holistic approach to answering questions surrounding health, disaster exposure, and recovery. Dr. Merdjanoff teaches several public health courses including, “Qualitative & Field Methods in Global Public Health,” and “Global Issues in Social & Behavioral Health.”

Education

BS, Sociology (Magna Cum Laude), New York University, New York, NY

MA, Sociology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

PhD, Sociology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Honors and awards

Innovator Program Fellow, National Center for Atmospheric Research (2019)

Butler-Williams Scholar, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (2019)

Aging and Rural Health Research Award, American Public Health Association, Aging and Public Health Section (2017)

Best Dissertation in Mental Health, American Sociological Association, Sociology of Mental Health section (2016)

Anne Foner Dissertation Prize, Department of Sociology, Rutgers University (2016)

Matilda White Riley Published Article Award for Outstanding Journal Article, Department of Sociology, Rutgers University (2013)

Weather & Society Integrated Studies (WAS*IS) Fellow (2011)

Graduate School Special Study Award, Rutgers University (2011)

Areas of research and study

Aging and the Life Course

Disaster Impact and Recovery

Housing Stability

Mental Health

Mixed-Methods Research

Social Behaviors

Social Determinants of Health

Publications

Risk salience of a novel virus : US population risk perception, knowledge, and receptivity to public health interventions regarding the Zika virus prior to local transmission

Piltch-Loeb, R., Abramson, D. M., & Merdjanoff, A. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2017

Journal title

PloS one

Volume

Issue

10.1371/journal.pone.0188666

Abstract

Abstract

Background As the incidence of Zika infection accelerated in Central and South American countries from November 2015 through April 2016, U.S. public health officials developed vector control and risk communication strategies to address mosquito-borne and sexual modes of transmission. This study reports upon U.S. perceptions of the Zika virus prior to domestic transmission, and analyzes the association of socio-economic, political, knowledge and risk factors with population receptivity to selected behavioral, environmental, and clinical intervention strategies. Methods A representative sample of 1,233 U.S. residents was drawn from address-based telephone and mobile phone lists, including an oversample of 208 women of child-bearing age living in five U.S. southern states. Data were collected between April and June, 2016, and weighted to represent U.S. population distributions. Results Overall, 78% of the U.S. population was aware of Zika prior to domestic transmission. Those unaware of the novel virus were more likely to be younger, lower income, and of Hispanic ethnicity. Among those aware of Zika, over half would delay pregnancy for a year or more in response to public health warnings; approximately one third agreed with a possible vector-control strategy of targeted indoor spraying by the government; and nearly two-thirds agreed that the government should make pregnancy-termination services available to women who learn their fetus had a Zika-related birth defect. Receptivity to these public health interventions varied by age, risk perception, and knowledge of the virus. Conclusion Risk salience and population receptivity to public health interventions targeting a novel virus can be conditioned on pre-existing characteristics in the event of an emerging infectious disease. Risk communicators should consider targeted strategies to encourage adoption of behavioral, environmental, and clinical interventions.

Disaster planning for vulnerable populations : Leveraging community human service organizations direct service delivery personnel

Levin, K. L., Berliner, M., & Merdjanoff, A. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2014

Journal title

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

Volume

Issue

SUPPL. 5

Page(s)

S79-S82

10.1097/PHH.0000000000000096

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Given the variability, complexities, and available resources for local vulnerable populations, it is clear that preparing effectively for catastrophic events cannot be accomplished with a single, simple template. Inclusion of Community Human Service Organizations' (CHSO's) direct service delivery personnel ensures that emergency disaster planning efforts for vulnerable populations are effective and responsive to unique needs and constraints. By leveraging existing local resources, it extends the preparedness system's reach to the whole community. Background: CHSO personnel already perform community-based services and directly engage with vulnerable and special needs populations; typically they are on the front lines during an emergency event. Generally, however, the CHSOs, staff, and clients are neither adequately prepared for disasters nor well integrated into emergency systems. To address preparedness gaps identified during Hurricane Sandy, regional CHSO and local health department partners requested that the Columbia Regional Learning Center provide preparedness trainings for their agencies and staff responsible for vulnerable clients. Methods: Evaluation of this initiative was begun with a mixed-methods approach consisting of collaborative learning activities, a function-based assessment tool, and a 5 Steps to Preparedness module. Results: Results from a survey were inclusive because of a low response rate but suggested satisfaction with the training format and content; increases in awareness of a client preparedness role; and steps toward improved personal, agency, and client preparedness. Discussion: Direct service delivery personnel can leverage routine client interactions for preparedness planning and thus can contribute significantly to vulnerable population and community disaster readiness. Trainings that provide preparedness tools can help support this role. Lessons Learned: CHSO personnel are knowledgeable and have the expertise to assist clients in personal preparedness planning; yet, there are challenges around their ability and willingness to take on additional responsibilities.

There's no place like home : Examining the emotional consequences of Hurricane Katrina on the displaced residents of New Orleans

Merdjanoff, A. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2013

Journal title

Social Science Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

1222-1235

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2013.04.004

Abstract

Abstract

Using survey data from the Displaced New Orleans Residents Pilot Study (DNORPS), I examine the emotional consequences of Hurricane Katrina on the displaced residents of New Orleans. First, I employ an established framework within disaster research to investigate whether the stress level of displaced residents varies by race, income, and gender. As the residents in this dataset remained uprooted from their homes, I also examine three housing variables, including homeownership status, house type, and four levels of home damage. Contrary to previous research, home damage and homeownership status are significant predictors of displaced residents' emotional distress while the effect of race disappears. These findings suggest that future research on the mental health of disaster survivors, especially for displaced residents, expand the traditional analytical framework to consistently include housing variables, especially different categories of home damage, in addition to race, income, and gender.

Comparison of work-related injuries and illnesses in New York City transit workers from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary findings

Cziner, M., Hawkins, D., Rosen, J., Merdjanoff, A. A., & Gershon, R. (n.d.).

Abstract

Abstract

Comparison of work-related injuries and illnesses in New York City transit workers from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary findings. Presented by PhD student Michael Cziner.

Dual Epidemics of COVID-19 Infection and Workplace Violence in New York City Mass Transit Workers: Implications for Policy and Practice

Gershon, R., Hawkins, D., Cziner, M., Rosen, J., Merdjanoff, A. A., & Vlahov, D. (n.d.).

Abstract

Abstract

Patterns of Assault in New York City Transit Workers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Findings

Cziner, M., Hawkins, D., Rosen, J., AlMohammad Ali, D., Merdjanoff, A. A., & Gershon, R. (n.d.).

Abstract

Abstract

Patterns of Assault in New York City Transit Workers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Findings. Authors: Michael Cziner, Devan Hawkins, Jonathan Rosen, Daliya AlMohammad Ali, Alexis Merdjanoff, Robyn Gershon. Presented by PhD student Michael Cziner.

Temporal trends of COVID-19 infections in New York City transit workers during the onset of the pandemic

Cziner, M., Hawkins, D., Rosen, J., Merdjanoff, A. A., & Gershon, R. (n.d.).

Abstract

Abstract

Presented by PhD student Michael Cziner