Muntasir Masum

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics Link

Faculty Affiliate, Center for Aging and Policy Studies

CAPS Biography:

My research aligns with the CAPS signature theme of health and well-being, as well as the cross-cutting themes of policy, place, and specific populations. My population-level work focuses on the intersection of alcohol use, health, and mortality, with particular emphasis on geographic variations in mortality among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in the United States. This work is directly relevant to understanding the health trajectories of aging populations. My overarching research agenda is driven by a life course approach, aiming to explore how early- and mid-life exposures, such as socioeconomic status (SES) and alcohol-related behaviors, affect health outcomes in later life. This is especially pertinent to older adults, who often experience the cumulative impacts of these factors. By examining the social determinants of health, particularly in relation to NIA priority populations such as racial-ethnic minorities and rural populations, my research contributes to understanding how contextual factors shape aging trajectories, mortality, and quality of life in later years. 

One of the key aspects of my new work is identifying the mechanisms through which SES and U.S. state-level policies influence alcohol-related behaviors and mortality. My research employs advanced spatial analysis techniques and leverages large-scale, nationally representative datasets to examine these relationships, offering insights into the aging process across diverse geographic regions. Additionally, my current research investigates the geographic variation in alcohol-related mortality across U.S. counties, with a focus on how county-level factors like alcohol outlet density and SES interact with state-level alcohol policies to affect older adults’ health outcomes. As an aging-focused researcher, I aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the social and policy-driven determinants of health disparities among older adults. By integrating multilevel data on contextual factors with a focus on older populations, my work informs targeted interventions that can mitigate mortality risks and enhance quality of life for aging populations.