Caroline Dignard

Caroline Dignard graduated from Boston University School of Public Health with her MPH in 2024 with a focus on health policy, epidemiology, and biostatistics. As a student, she was a 2023 PHP writing fellow. She cares deeply about using data-informed health policy to improve health outcomes. Caroline is interested in improving health care accessibility, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ health, and Indigenous rights.

Caroline's Work:

03.05.2024 Visual comparison of coverage of Puerto Rico as compared to all 50 states in CDC-supported public health monitoring and surveillance systems

Visual comparison of coverage of Puerto Rico as compared to all 50 states in CDC-supported public health monitoring and surveillance systems

Puerto Rico’s Health Data Divide

Puerto Rico faces a significant health surveillance gap compared to the 50 U.S. states, making it ever more difficult to make data-driven decisions that support the well-being of its residents.

Fellow Caroline Dignard

02.20.2024 close up of prison cell bars

Stripped of Medicaid: Ex-Inmates' Struggle for Coverage

Entering the carceral system leaves many without insurance coverage, even after release.

Fellow Caroline Dignard

02.12.2024 bar graph depicting the availability of information about abortions versus colonoscopies on hospital websites

Abortion Scavenger Hunt

On many hospitals' websites, information about abortion services is often hidden, if even available at all, creating an additional barrier for those seeking care.

Fellow Caroline Dignard

02.06.2024 water flowing into to drain that is contaminated with oil and gas and other harmful chemicals

Thirst Trap: Oil and Gas on Tap

A quarter of LA County’s water systems are at risk for oil and gas contamination, with historically disenfranchised communities most at risk.

Fellow Caroline Dignard

01.29.2024 Two line graph depicting the associations of weekly air pollution exposure with gestational age. Top graph shows nitrogen dioxide exposure and the bottom graph shows particulate matter exposure.

Two line graph depicting the associations of weekly air pollution exposure with gestational age. Top graph shows nitrogen dioxide exposure and the bottom graph shows particulate matter exposure.

Smoggy Beginnings

Exposure to air pollution, such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM2.5), during critical times in pregnancy can lower birth weight by 1.4 ounces and 0.33 ounces, respectively.

Fellow Caroline Dignard

01.23.2024 (on left) Timing of first exclusionary school discipline (ESD) event: among all students, pattern of average GPA by year of first ESD event. (on right), Repeat annual ESD events: among students whose first ESD was in year 1

(on left) Timing of first exclusionary school discipline (ESD) event: among all students, pattern of average GPA by year of first ESD event. (on right), Repeat annual ESD events: among students whose first ESD was in year 1

Excluded from the Honor Roll

Black and Latine students experience expulsions or suspensions from school more often than their peers, facing nearly 10 and 3 times more exclusionary punishments than White students, respectively.

Fellow Caroline Dignard