Diana Hernandez

Diana Hernandez (PhD) focuses her work on the social and environmental determinants of health. Her community-oriented research examines the intersections between the built environment, poverty/equity and health with a particular emphasis on energy insecurity. Growing up in the South Bronx, Hernandez observed the compounding disasters of the crack epidemic, HIV/AIDS outbreaks, poverty, and the beginnings of mass incarceration during the 80s. Witnessing these issues led her to an increased interest in their causes and the effect they have on the people suffering them. Hernandez completed her undergraduate degree at Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. Her work establishes connections between household energy and overall health. She notes, “My most innovative research looks at household energy as a determinant of health. When people can’t adequately meet their household energy needs, I call that energy insecurity.”

Learn more about Diana’s work HERE.