Sakinah Carter Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA
Cards
Appointments
Contact Info
About
Copy Link
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Biography
Dr. Suttiratana is a Sociologist of Health and Illness whose interests include various sociocultural influences on health. She currently serves as Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, in the Office of Health Equity Research and Director of Education and Training, Equity Research and Innovation Center at Yale School of Medicine. In these roles, Dr. Suttiratana trains and mentors postdoctoral fellows and mid career health professionals in mixed methods and qualitative research and research that partners across sectors and includes the perspectives of people with lived experience/end users. She also is Community Outreach and Engagement faculty for the Yale Cancer Center.
Current research projects include projects to explore peer mentoring and resource interventions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in technology use for management of Type 1 diabetes, communications messages around cancer prevention and screening, tobacco and nicotine regulation, and health misinformation, elevating the lived experiences of medical device trial participants, and institutional practices to advance more representative clinical trials.
Dr. Suttiratana has contributed to various translational and community-based research and implementation projects among U.S. and international populations. Dr. Suttiratana has professional experience in epidemiological surveillance, community based, participatory research, clinic-based, comparative effectiveness research, qualitative and mixed methods design and analysis, intervention implementation, program evaluation and health leadership development in the U.S. and the Latin American and Caribbean region including work for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and The California Endowment.
Appointments
General Internal Medicine
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of California, San Francisco, Sociology (Health & Illness) (2017)
- MBA
- Yale School of Management (2004)
- MPH
- Emory University, International Health (Beh. Science & Epidemiology) (1998)
Research
Copy Link
Overview
Interests: cancer disparities; modifiable chronic disease risk factors; context and health decision-making; health and socioeconomic status.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-9775-7736
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Andrea Silber, MD
Grace Kong, PhD
Joseph Ross, MD, MHS
Krysten Bold, PhD
Rachel Greenup, MD, MPH
Reshma Ramachandran, MD, MPP, MHS
Early Detection of Cancer
Publications
2025
State-Level Variation in and Barriers to Medicaid Abortion Coverage
Jiang J, Ho S, Suttiratana S, Topping C, Venkatesh A, Owda R, Smith P, Owda D, Khidir H. State-Level Variation in and Barriers to Medicaid Abortion Coverage. JAMA Network Open 2025, 8: e2530804. PMID: 40920379, PMCID: PMC12418122, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30804.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsQualitative studyAbortion policyDescriptive statisticsAbortion careHealth care inequitiesPatients seeking careBarriers to accessAbortion coverageDistrict of ColumbiaState-level variationCare inequitiesCare coverageMain OutcomesThematic analysisPhysician certificationState policyHealth insuranceVulnerable populationsMedicaidPatient restrictionsMedicaid policiesCarePhysiciansCoverage policiesFederal coverageMenthol cigarette alternative products: Awareness, use, and substitution intentions among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes
Kyriakos C, Kong G, Sharma A, Morean M, Suttiratana S, Bold K. Menthol cigarette alternative products: Awareness, use, and substitution intentions among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes. Addictive Behaviors 2025, 171: 108470. PMID: 40876183, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAssociated with awarenessSmoking menthol cigarettesMenthol cigarettesNon-mentholCross-sectional surveyMenthol cigarette salesPublic health benefitsLogistic regression modelsHigher nicotine dependenceOutcome of awarenessCigarette salesSmoking characteristicsPublic healthCigaretteHealth benefitsYounger ageRegression modelsNicotine dependenceAdultsAwareness“All my food is customized*”: Barriers & facilitators concerning nutrition for persons living with cystic fibrosis
Bruce A, Suttiratana S, Grabowski H, Sweeney L, Ward A, Mazuera S, Alvarez J, Yablon D, Naranjo D. “All my food is customized*”: Barriers & facilitators concerning nutrition for persons living with cystic fibrosis. Journal Of Cystic Fibrosis 2025 PMID: 40713200, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2025.07.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsParticipants' definitionsTeam members' experiencesSemi-structured interviewsImpact of medicationsPhysical activityCare teamSocial supportMembers' experiencesOptimal healthThematic analysisNutritional recommendationsNutritional outcomesOptimal nutritionCost barriersCystic fibrosisFacilitationStabilized weightsCF faceNutritionLack of conveniencePwCFInterviewsNutritional strategiesWeight stabilityConvenienceHealth-Related and Social Drivers of Chronic Absenteeism in an Urban School District
Shankar M, Joseph-Lumpkin G, Costa D, Cebert M, Fenick A, Sharifi M, Suttiratana S. Health-Related and Social Drivers of Chronic Absenteeism in an Urban School District. Academic Pediatrics 2025, 25: 103113. PMID: 40683622, PMCID: PMC12383280, DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2025.103113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsCommunity-based participatory researchHealth-relatedSocial barriersCross-sectional mixed-methods studyHealth-related barriersPediatric health systemChronic absenteeismHome visit recordsFamily-related challengesMixed-methods studyOpen-ended questionsSchool attendanceSummative content analysisHealth needsHealth systemUrban school districtParticipatory researchQualitative summative content analysisTranscribed responsesUrban public school districtTransportation difficultiesUS childrenSchool absenceDescriptive statisticsChronic diseasesRepresentation of Women, Older Adults, and Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Patients in Pivotal Trials for US Food and Drug Administration Novel Oncology Therapeutic Approvals, 2012-2021: Bright Spot Trials and Trends Over Time.
Miller J, Pelletiers W, Gross C, Mello M, Ramachandran R, Schwartz J, Suttiratana S, Varma T, Ross J. Representation of Women, Older Adults, and Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Patients in Pivotal Trials for US Food and Drug Administration Novel Oncology Therapeutic Approvals, 2012-2021: Bright Spot Trials and Trends Over Time. JCO Oncology Practice 2025, op2400563. PMID: 40493876, PMCID: PMC12360498, DOI: 10.1200/op-24-00563.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsFood and Drug AdministrationOncology therapeuticsLatino patientsBlack patientsTherapeutic approvalsOlder adultsRetrospective cross-sectional studyUS Food and Drug AdministrationTrial characteristicsMinoritized patientsUS patient populationSpot trialsPivotal trialsPatient demographicsPatient populationRepresentative patientsTrial enrollmentUS Census dataDrug AdministrationPatientsStudy of trialsTrialsOncologyWomenClinical trial diversityHeterogeneity in Abortion Coverage: A Qualitative Analysis of State Medicaid Policies [ID 1222]
Jiang J, Ho S, Suttiratana S, Owda R, Owda D, Khidir H. Heterogeneity in Abortion Coverage: A Qualitative Analysis of State Medicaid Policies [ID 1222]. Obstetrics And Gynecology 2025, 145: 3s-3s. DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005916.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbortion coverageHyde AmendmentCases of rapeLife endangermentMedicaid policiesRapeAdministrative requirementsIncestAbortion carePregnant personsState fundingAmendmentsEquitable accessState Medicaid policiesHealth insuranceCoverage requirementsAbortionIterative codebookMedicaidPolicyStateFundingSupplemental coverageThematic analysisState dependence244 Community perspectives on hospital accountability to equity
Nash K, Maclay L, Weiss L, Woo J, Baidal, Sperling A, Meyer D, Shelton R, Suttiratana S, Bardach N. 244 Community perspectives on hospital accountability to equity. Journal Of Clinical And Translational Science 2025, 9: 75-76. PMCID: PMC12050800, DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.890.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity health needs assessmentHealthcare equityHospital's roleHospitals’ community health needs assessmentsNational Committee for Quality AssuranceCommunity perspectivesCommittee for Quality AssuranceHealth needs assessmentHealth system leadersHospital accountingFocus group transcriptsQualitative thematic analysisMultidisciplinary research teamMeasurement domainRefine themesGroup transcriptsHospital actionsSystem leadersPhysical healthCommunity partnersNeeds assessmentHospital responseAnalysis of secondary dataThematic analysis of secondary dataMeasurement initiatives“Can I afford to live today?” The emotional toll of navigating the healthcare system with type 1 diabetes
Harel S, Lukasik J, Wilcox A, Lipska K, Weinzimer S, Suttiratana S, Nally L. “Can I afford to live today?” The emotional toll of navigating the healthcare system with type 1 diabetes. Frontiers In Endocrinology 2025, 16: 1555265. PMID: 40196455, PMCID: PMC11973976, DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1555265.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHealthcare systemDiabetes managementBurden of managing diabetesType 1 diabetesSelf-reported useTranscripts of semi-structuredFeelings of powerlessnessQuality of lifeFear of health problemsDaily diabetes managementDefinition of themesDiabetes supportStudy of individualsChild healthDiabetes suppliesTelephone interviewsDiabetes medicationsEmotional tollSemi-structuredHealth problemsFinancial burdenHealthcarePWDParticipantsDiabetes
2024
Supporting diversity in clinical trials: the equitable breakthroughs in medicine site maturity model
Harris T, Nunez-Smith M, Suttiratana S, Fretz S, Leonard S, Linnander E, Curry L. Supporting diversity in clinical trials: the equitable breakthroughs in medicine site maturity model. Trials 2024, 25: 764. PMID: 39543751, PMCID: PMC11566401, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08594-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSocial determinants of healthQuantitative self-report dataDeterminants of healthCommunity engagementHealth care providersRepresentation of diverse populationsSelf-reported dataSocial determinantsCare providersContent validityPotential participantsClinical trial capabilitiesClinical trial diversityDiverse populationsInclusion of diverse participantsClinical trialsAssessment of capabilitiesTrial infrastructureDiverse participantsU.S. sitesClinical researchAbstract BackgroundParticipantsDiversity effortsStructural assessmentASO Visual Abstract: Living Flat–Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy
Khubchandani J, Suttiratana S, Washington R, White-Bracey D, KC M, Silber A, Fayanju O, Butler P, Menon A, Greenup R. ASO Visual Abstract: Living Flat–Stories from Women of Color After Mastectomy. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2024, 32: 2117-2118. DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16395-2.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
PROgram to address psychosocial Support, clinical outcomes, and genomic insights for Patients with EaRly onset cancers
HIC ID2000035703RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/01/2025Recruiting Participants
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Copy Link
Activities
activity Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
2022 - PresentPeer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsGrant ReviewerDetailsScientist Reviewer for PCORI’s 22C2 Science of Engagement panel
News
Copy Link
News
- October 27, 2025
YCC Publications 2025
- October 28, 2024
Living Flat: Study Sheds Light on Challenges for Women of Color After Breast Cancer Surgery
- September 10, 2024
NIH Recognizes Yale’s Expertise in the Genetics of Rare Diseases
- February 26, 2024
Sakinah Carter Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA, in honor of National Cancer Prevention Month
Get In Touch
Copy Link
Contacts
Events
Everyone Erika Linnander, DrPH, MBA - Ishita S. Arora, PhD, MLS - Jessica Lewis, PhD, LMFT, MPhil - Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS - Mikaili Charlemagne - Sakinah Carter Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA - Samantha Lew Fretz, LMSW - Sarah Christie - Tara M. Rizzo, MPHThe event will be held in-person and livestreamed. Please register for the option you would like. The livestream will run from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.