Turning Research into Action: Lessons from a Public Health Educator and Student

Coinciding with the annual observance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Dr. Alvin Tran and Krupa Ann Mathew ’25 MPH reflected on what they hope will be the impact of their research on improving education around eating disorders.

Every year, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve education around eating disorders. Held in late February through early March, the campaign emphasizes early detection, timely intervention, and better access to treatment—all critical for supporting those affected.

Given this timely backdrop, Krupa Ann Mathew, a recent graduate of our Master of Public Health Program, and I had the incredible opportunity to present our latest research to healthcare providers working in school-based health centers (SBHCs) across Connecticut.

Our study, , explored a key question: How can SBHCs better support young patients struggling with or at risk for an eating disorder?

SBHCs serve as crucial access points for youth mental health services, yet our research uncovered a significant gap in provider familiarity and screening practices related to eating disorders. Through a survey of 56 SBHC providers in Connecticut, we found:

• While most felt confident in addressing mental health concerns broadly, they were far less familiar with eating disorders.
• Despite recognizing the importance of eating disorder screenings, these screenings were rarely conducted.
• Providers highlighted two key challenges:
1. The need for more training and continuing education, as well as tools for addressing misconceptions about eating disorders.
2. Staffing and resource constraints, which limit their ability to provide comprehensive mental health care.

As a public health educator, I found this experience to be especially meaningful. Not only did I get to mentor Krupa on presenting to a public audience, but I also had the chance to emphasize the power of research dissemination in translating findings into real-world practice.

Beyond sharing our results, we made sure to provide clinicians with actionable resources to help them better screen for, identify, and support young patients with eating disorders. To me, research should not end at the publication stage. It should inform and lead to meaningful change.

Among the 50 attendees at our session was of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. But what truly made the presentation impactful was hearing directly from the Director of the , who, after listening to our findings, committed to ensuring eating disorder training will be incorporated into next year’s annual conference.

For me, as a public health professor dedicated to conducting research that promotes and protects health, I found this to be an incredibly validating moment. It reinforced exactly why research dissemination matters because it turns data into dialogue, insights into action, and findings into real-world impact.

Reflecting on my experience presenting our research on eating disorders to healthcare providers, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude. The opportunity to work alongside Dr. Alvin Tran, an incredible mentor whose guidance continues to shape my understanding of public health, was both enlightening and motivating. Our presentation, framed within the context of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, added an urgent, timely relevance to the subject matter, emphasizing the critical need for awareness and intervention.

"It’s not enough to simply conduct research; we must use it to influence policy, practice, and, ultimately, the lives of those who need it most."Krupa Ann Mathew ’25 MPH

This experience was a poignant reminder of the profound impact research can have when it is disseminated effectively. As a recent graduate of the Master of Public Health Program, I have always believed in the importance of research, but this was the first time I truly understood how data, when shared in the right way, can drive change on a systemic level. Dr. Tran’s focus on the importance of research dissemination—transforming data into meaningful action—resonated with me deeply. It’s not enough to simply conduct research; we must use it to influence policy, practice, and, ultimately, the lives of those who need it most.

Our study revealed a gap in knowledge and practices among SBHC providers regarding eating disorders. While most providers were confident in addressing general mental health concerns, many felt ill-equipped to recognize and properly screen for eating disorders. This discovery highlighted the need for more training and better resources, but it also provided a clear opportunity for us to offer actionable solutions. During our presentation, we didn’t just share our findings; we provided concrete tools and resources to help these providers better screen for, identify, and support young patients struggling with eating disorders.

The most impactful moment of the session came when the Director of the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers, after hearing our findings, committed to incorporating eating disorder training into next year’s annual conference. This moment brought our research full circle. It was no longer just data. It was about creating lasting change. To know that our work had contributed to a shift in priorities at such a critical organization was deeply validating and inspiring.

This experience reaffirmed my belief in the importance of research that leads to action. It reinforced the responsibility we, as public health professionals, bear to ensure that research doesn’t just sit on a shelf but actively contributes to real-world solutions. Public health research, when properly disseminated and acted upon, can create lasting change, especially when it addresses the needs of vulnerable populations.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Tran and to learn from his expertise. His mentorship continues to inspire me to pursue research that doesn’t just inform but empowers, and I look forward to continuing this journey of turning research into action and contributing to positive change in public health.

Dr. Alvin Tran is an Assistant Professor of Population Health and Leadership in the School of Health Sciences. He directs the WeEmbody Lab. Krupa Ann Mathew completed her Master of Public Health from the School of Health Sciences in December 2024 and will participate in Commencement in May.