NIEHS epidemiologist Chandra Jackson, Ph.D., was one of two scientists who received the Ernest E. Just Prize April 17 in Charleston, South Carolina. The annual award encourages innovative research developments in treating or eradicating chronic diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans.
Ernest Everett Just, Ph.D., was an African-American scientist and native of Charleston. During the early 1900s, he pioneered a number of advances in fertility and physiology. The award in his honor is co-sponsored by the College of Charleston Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
As head of the NIEHS Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Equity Group, Jackson studies racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in sleep health and chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
"It is an incredible honor to be acknowledged for the work I’m doing to identify the social, behavioral, and biological pathways that contribute to disparities in chronic disease," Jackson said.
Both recipients presented research seminars at the award ceremony. This year marked the fifth Ernest E. Just Prize, according to Titus Reaves, Ph.D., an assistant professor at MUSC. He said the two researchers were chosen for outstanding work in their fields and for their commitment to excellence.
Publications show research concerns
A sample of Jackson’s publications illustrates her research concerns. A full list is available on her lab’s website.
- “Sexual orientation identity disparities in health behaviors, outcomes, and services use among men and women in the United States: a cross-sectional study” – BMC Public Health, 2016.
- “Sleep as a potential fundamental contributor to cardiovascular health disparities” – Annual Review of Public Health, 2015.
- “Racial/ethnic disparities in short sleep duration by occupation: the contribution of immigrant status” – Social Science and Medicine, 2014.
- “Association between sleep duration and diabetes in black and white adults” – Diabetes Care, 2013.
- “Black-white disparities in overweight and obesity trends by educational attainment in the United States, 1997-2008” – Journal of Obesity, 2013.
