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Alexandria Drake

Assistant Professor of Public Health, University of Puget Sound
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About Alexandria

Drake's research focuses on bridging the fields of public health and anthropology through the topics of substance use disorder and the built environment. Overarching themes in Drake's writings include the structural and cultural factors that prohibit and promote access to healthcare and health decision-making practices. Drake serves as a researcher and volunteer for organizations such as the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Sonoran Prevention Works, and the Inclusive Learning Human group.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Improving Systems of Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in New Mexico

Key Findings Brief,

Publications

"Food Insecurity and Disasters: Predicting Disparities in Total and First-Time Food Pantry Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (with Lora A. Phillips, Brajesh Karna, Shakthi Bharathi Murugesan, Lily K. Villa, and Nathan A. Smith). Food Security 15 (2023): 493–504.

Discusses food insecurity trends in Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a significant increase in affected households compared to pre-pandemic levels. Findings show that health-related disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic can cause groups already vulnerable to food insecurity to become more food insecure, and that these disasters can also cause new demographic groups to face food insecurity.

"Mobile Pantries Can Serve the Most Food Insecure Populations" (with Lily K. Villa, Shakthi Bharathi Murugesan, Lora A. Phillips, and Nathan A. Smith). Health Equity 6, no. 1 (2022): 49-54.

Demonstrates the effectiveness of mobile food pantries (trucks that deliver nutrient-rich food) to reduce food insecurity in urban environments.

"Displaced in the Sun Belt - Mapping Housing Loss Across the American South," (with Tim Robustelli, Yuliya Panfil, Emily Yelverton, Sabiha Zainulbhai, Mallory Sheff, and Caitlin Augustin), The New Practice Lab, 2021.

Explores housing loss in seven metropolitan areas in the United States, and discusses where forced displacement is most acute and why housing loss occurs.