Kathryn Freeman Anderson

Investigates the link between racial/ethnic residential segregation and healthcare outcomes, focusing on how access to healthcare providers is shaped by neighborhood segregation. Results show that residents in segregated neighborhoods tend to rely more on less-preferred healthcare options, such as clinics and hospital outpatient departments, rather than pediatric offices.

Examines how perceived flood risk and subjective flood preparedness relate to racial/ethnic differences in worry about the threat of flooding, finding that both individual-level and area-level race/ethnicity are significantly related to greater worry about the threat of flooding. Results suggest that policies and infrastructure priorities that reduce risk rather than prepare households for flooding would accomplish more in closing the gap in social disparities in mental health outcomes from flooding.

Examines how racial-ethnic residential segregation influenced the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine sites and doses during the early vaccine rollout in Texas. Findings show that ZIP codes with high concentrations of Black and Latino residents were less likely to have vaccine distribution sites, a disparity partly explained by the lower availability of hospitals and physicians' offices in these areas.

Investigates the link between racial/ethnic residential segregation and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates across four major U.S. cities: New York City, Chicago, Houston, and San Diego. Findings show that both Black and Latino residential clustering are significantly associated with higher infection rates in all four cities, even after controlling for other social and environmental factors that affect disease transmission.

Examines the access that neighborhoods have to jobs via public transit, if it varies by race/ethnicity, and what difference it makes in terms of socioeconomic outcomes. Finds that Black and Latino neighborhoods have access to fewer jobs via public transit, and that they also have lower median household income and a higher unemployment rate, net of access to jobs.

Explores the relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and health outcomes, with a focus on Black, Latino, and Asian communities in the Houston area. Finds that Black and Latino segregation are linked to worse health outcomes, but Asian segregation is not.

Investigates how racial/ethnic residential segregation affects access to healthcare in urban areas, focusing on the Phoenix urbanized area. Findings show that higher levels of Latino and Native American segregation are linked to a lower density of healthcare organizations in these areas, suggesting that families in these segregated neighborhoods are more likely to rely on clinics rather than physician's offices.

Examines how racial residential segregation in Houston impacts health outcomes through perceived neighborhood conditions. Finds that Black and Latino segregation is linked to higher perceptions of neighborhood disorder, which in turn is associated with poorer self-rated health. Results suggest that in order to improve the health of these communities, both residential segregation and neighborhood conditions need to be addressed.

Examines the spatial factors contributing to racial/ethnic income inequality in U.S. cities. Finds that Black and Latino incomes are far lower than White incomes where the former are more segregated and if transit, driving, and pedestrian networks are more efficient, i.e., residents can access a larger proportion of metro area employment opportunities during the morning rush hour. 

Explores how racial/ethnic residential segregation in the U.S. influences the distribution of health-related organizations. Finds that neighborhoods with higher concentrations of racial/ethnic minorities (particularly Black, and to a lesser extent, Latino and Asian populations) have fewer health-related resources, such as food services, fitness facilities, healthcare providers, and social service organizations.