PhD, Health Services Research, UCLA, 2014

MA, Health Economics, Fudan University, 2009

BA, Health Administration, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2006

Dr. Zhang’s areas of expertise are in health services research, policy impact analysis and simulation, and systems science methods. She developed a simulation model to compare the relative effectiveness of population-based strategies on unhealthy dietary behavior and hypertension prevalence. Her recent work focuses on testing the efficacy and feasibility of new service delivery models such as telemedicine and m-health in resource-constrained areas.

Best Paper Award, China Health Policy and Management Society
Early Career Travel Stipend Award, American Heart Association
Travel Award for the Systems Approaches to the Obesity Epidemic, Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity

AcademyHealth
American Society of Health Economists
International Health Economics Association
American Public Health Association
American Heart Association
Medical Decision-Making
China Health Policy and Management Society (US-based)

HPAM 8300: Research Methods in Health Policy
HPAM 7010: Introduction to Health Policy and Management

Dr. Zhang’s research interests include health insurance and access to health care, mobile health and telehealth, prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and nutrition policy, and early childhood intervention.

Zhang, D., Son, H., Shen, Y., Chen, Z., Rajbhandari-Thapa, J., Li, Y., … & Pagán, J. A. (2020). Assessment of Changes in Rural and Urban Primary Care Workforce in the United States From 2009 to 2017. JAMA Network Open, 3(10), e2022914-e2022914.

Zhang, D., Ritchey, M. R., Park, C., Li, J., Chapel, J., & Wang, G . Association Between Medicaid Coverage and Income Status on Health Care Use and Costs Among Hypertensive Adults After Enactment of the Affordable Care Act. American journal of hypertension. 2019;
hpz101.

Zhang, D., Shi, L., Ido, M. S., Green, D. E., Li, Y., Su, D., & Hess, D. C. Impact of Participation in a Telestroke Network on Clinical Outcomes: Evidence from the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2019;12(1): e005147.

Zhang, D., Wang, G., Zhu, W., Thapa, J., Switzer, J., Hess, D., Smith, M., & Ritchey M. Expansion of Telestroke Services Improves Quality of Care Provided in Super Rural Areas. Health Affairs. 2018;37(12): 2005-2013.

Zhang D, Pan X, Li S, Liang D, Hou Z, Li Y, Shi L. Impact of the National Essential Public Health Services Policy on Hypertension Control in China. American Journal of Hypertension.2017; hpx139.

Zhang D, Joo H, Wang G. A Systematic Review of Economic Evidence on Community Hypertension Interventions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2017;53(6): S121–S130.

Zhang D, Li Y, Wang G, Moran A, Pagán J. Nutrition Label Use and Sodium Intake in the United States. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2017;53 (6): S220–S227.

Shi L, Zhang D, Meijgaard J, MacLeod K, Fielding J. The Interaction between an Individual’s Acculturation and Community Factors on Physical Inactivity, Obesity and Hypertension: A Multilevel Analysis. American Journal of Public Health. 2015;105(7): 1460-1467

Zhang D, Meijgaard J, Shi L, Core B, Fielding J. Does Neighborhood Composition Modify the Association Between Acculturation and Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors? Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2015; 69(3): 69 – 74.

Zhang D, Giabbanelli PJ, Arah OA, Zimmerman FJ. Impact of Different Policies on Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors in an Urban Adult Population: An Agent-Based Simulation Model. American Journal of Public Health. 2014;104(7): 1217-22.