Ada Kwan, PhD, MHS
I am a health and development economist working with Drs. Priya Shete and Adithya Cattamanchi in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care and with Dr. Brie Williams and the Amend team in the Center for Vulnerable Populations. My research focuses on evaluating health systems interventions and programs, often ones related to measuring quality and equity of care delivery. Methodologically, I utilize randomization, quasi-experiments, and complex surveys, such as simulated standardized patients, to assess the effects and implications of scaling up related health programs. By measuring healthcare as a good with attributes that remain unobservable to patients and program implementers even after delivery, this research can help inform policy, intervention, and program design.
I have 13+ years of experience conducting at-scale or multi-site economic, impact, and quality of healthcare evaluations in roles at institutions such as the Mexico National Institute of Public Health (CIEE) and the World Bank (DECRG). My research spans examining: private provider networks and public sector service delivery in India, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, and China; social protection programs in Zimbabwe; COVID-19 response measures in U.S. state prisons; and equity-focused interventions in California. In previous roles, I have advised on integrating digital technologies to improve population health, domestically and internationally. This work has been sponsored by the United Nations Foundation, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sesame Workshop, and other agencies.