Dr. Kathryn H. Jacobsen

Kathryn H. Jacobsen, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a professor of health studies and holds the William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair at the University of Richmond.

Jacobsen the author of two widely used textbooks, Introduction to Global Health and Introduction to Health Research Methods, and teaches courses on global health, epidemiology and research methods, and special topics. She is on the board of Teach Global Health, which promotes excellence in undergraduate global health education, and has chaired the undergraduate and master’s education committee for the Consortium of Universities for Global Health. She co-founded and leads the CUGH Global Health Educators Community (GHECo), which supports the professional development of hundreds of members from more than 50 countries. Jacobsen received the 2023 Velji Global Health Award for Teaching Excellence from CUGH.

As a global health epidemiologist, her research focuses on the population health transitions that occur with globalization, socioeconomic development, and environmental change. Her research portfolio includes analyses of the global epidemiology of hepatitis A virus, emerging infectious and noncommunicable diseases, adolescent risk behaviors, and other global public health concerns. She has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles, many of which have student coauthors. She welcomes the opportunity to mentor Richmond student researchers. 

Jacobsen has served as a technical expert for the World Health Organization and other public health agencies, global health partnerships, and international health groups. She is a Principal Collaborator with the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study; serves on several journal editorial boards (including Epidemiology & Infection, Global Health Research and Policy, and World Medical & Health Policy) and grant review panels; leads research writing seminars; and frequently provides health and medical commentary for print and television media.