Classes Taught
- Introduction to Epidemiology (MPH 502)
- Research Methods (MPH 512)
- Data Analysis II (MPH 532)
- Introduction to Biostatistics (MPH 541)
- Life Course Health (MPH 595)
- Social Epidemiology Project Implementation – Capstone (MPH 606)
Research Interests
Dr. Polos is a quantitative sociologist and demographer who studies health disparities and their development across the life course. Her recent work focuses on measuring intersecting forms of structural discrimination and understanding their implications for health inequalities. Dr. Polos’ work is grounded in sociological theoretical frameworks and examines a variety of health topics, including obesity, depressive symptoms, and maternal-child health and wellbeing.
Selected Publications
- Polos, Jessica, Shaina Alexandria, Taylor Hargrove, Stephanie Koning, Thomas McDade and Kiarri Kershaw. “Effects of an Intervention on Black Family Incomes on Self-Rated Health and Obesity in Black and White Young Adolescents and Adults.” American Journal of Epidemiology.
- Polos, J., Harris, T., Keller, A., 2024. Structural racism. In: Troop-Gordon, W., Neblett Jr., E.W. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Adolescence, vol. 3. Elsevier, Academic Press, pp. 606–617.
- Polos, Jessica, Stephanie Koning, Taylor Hargrove, Kiarri Kershaw, and Thomas McDade. 2022. “Structural Racism in School Contexts and Adolescent Depression: Development of New Indices for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and Beyond.” Social Science & Medicine – Population Health.
- Polos, Jessica, Stephanie Koning, and Thomas McDade. 2021. “Do Intersecting Identities Structure Social Contexts to Influence Life Course Health? The Case of School Peer Economic Disadvantage and Obesity.” Social Science & Medicine.
- Polos, Jessica and Jason Fletcher. 2019. “Caesarean Section and Children’s Health: A Quasi-Experimental Design.” Population Studies.