{"id":3291,"date":"2017-08-10T11:13:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-10T15:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med.virginia.edu\/phs\/?p=3291"},"modified":"2026-03-21T17:59:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T21:59:06","slug":"balkrishnan-rajesh-ph-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/med.virginia.edu\/phs\/2017\/08\/10\/balkrishnan-rajesh-ph-d\/","title":{"rendered":"Balkrishnan, Rajesh, Ph.D."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Protrait<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Balkrishnan, a tenured Full Professor of Public Health, at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has dedicated over 25 years of his life towards teaching and research in population health. He is a social epidemiologist whose research program focuses on global medical care access. In particular, Dr. Balkrishnan has been recently focusing on improving health in underserved populations both within the US and globally and strengthening healthcare systems through improving population quality of life. For over two decades Dr. Balkrishnan has worked with the Medicaid program to understand issues of access to essential pharmacotherapies in low income populations. Dr. Balkrishnan has served as key co-investigator on large national studies such as the USRDS. Dr. Balkrishnan combines his expertise in health informatics, pharmacy, health services research and biostatistics to create and analyze large data repositories which enable \u201creal world\u201d evaluations of the effectiveness of medical care. He is also involved in the development of several registries for non-communicable chronic diseases globally. He has performed several comparative effectiveness evaluations of technologies and treatments. Dr. Balkrishnan has published over 350 research papers (2023 Google Scholar H-index: 74) , books and book chapters and has been recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in effectiveness research and evaluation. Dr. Balkrishnan was recently recognized in a list of Top 2 percent of scientists in the world based on impact of published research. He is also recognized as one of the Top 100 scientists at UVA in terms of impact of published research.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Dr. Balkrishnan was bestowed the honorary title of \u2018Extraordinary Professor in Public Health\u2019 at the African Cancer Institute, Stellenbosch University, Capetown, South Africa.<\/p>\n

At the University of Virginia, Dr. Balkrishnan is involved in teaching in both the undergraduate (Global Studies) and graduate (Public Health) programs throughout the academic year. He is a mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students interested in the study of health disparities and healthcare policy analysis. He also conducts summer global health immersion courses for students in Nepal and Ghana.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Professor of Public Health Sciences and Global Studies\u00a0(Tenured)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BS, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mumbai, 1995<\/p>\n

MS, Pharmaceutical Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997<\/p>\n

PhD, Public Health (Health Services and Epidemiology), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1999<\/p>\n

Tel: 1-832-452-6580
\nFax: 1-434-297-6485
\nEmail:\u00a0rb9ap@virginia.edu<\/a>
\nMail: 702 Rainier Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903
\nOffice: Health System West Complex, Room 3225\u00a0(Currently office hours by appointment)<\/span><\/p>\n

Teaching Responsibilities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

PHS 7051 \u00ad (Graduate) Policy Development, Analysis & Advocacy (Tuesdays, Spring)<\/p>\n

PHS 3102 (Undergraduate) Intro to Public Health Research: Population Data Analysis (Thursdays, Fall)<\/p>\n

New course starting Fall 2026. Both semesters.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

PHS 2599: From Patients to Populations: Public Health in Action (Tuesdays and Thursdays)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recommended\u00a0 for first and second year students considering careers in the health professions (medicine, nursing, dental, pharmacy, public health, etc.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

This course introduces students to various facets of the field of public health and its role in modern medical care both in the United States and globally. Through examples related to education, policy, and research, the course serves as a foundational overview of the role of public health in improving lives and protecting communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

GSGS 3590: UVA Study Abroad Center for Global Health Equity Summer Immersion Course in Nepal (Every Summer)<\/p>\n

PHS 8881 Integrative Learning in Health Policy<\/p>\n

Research Interests: <\/strong>Global Health Services Research, Social Epidemiology, Healthcare Outcomes Research, all with a focus on Health Disparities.<\/p>\n

Publications:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Latest public opinion piece<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent representative major research article<\/a><\/p>\n

My full list of research publications can be found here on Google Scholar<\/a><\/p>\n

More information:<\/strong><\/p>\n