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David Watkins, PhD

Associate Professor, Global Health

Core Faculty

About Me

My research focuses on the generation of evidence that can be used to formulate, implement, and evaluate health policy and health system reforms in low- and middle-income countries. I am particularly interested in the transformation of health systems to pivot towards emerging challenges like noncommunicable diseases and injuries. I am one of the PIs on the Disease Control Priorities (DCP) Project, and I lead the DCP site at the University of Washington. Additionally, I am core faculty in the Implementation Science Program in the Department of Global Health and I am the Co-Director of the Learning for Action in Policy Implementation and Health Systems (LAPIS) Initiative, a resource hub for members of the UW community who are interested in collaborating on global health systems and health policy projects.

I trained in general internal medicine, so my research ranges from cross-cutting topics (e.g., primary healthcare and universal health coverage) to investigations related to specific conditions and interventions. I have done a lot of work on rheumatic heart disease as a “model” disease for integrated care and health system strengthening, but my current projects span topics as diverse as cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health, surgical care, and emergency and critical care including during pandemic outbreaks. My areas of methodological expertise include health metrics, implementation science, health economics, and policy analysis. I have several large multi-year projects underway and welcome inquiries from students, staff, and faculty who want to collaborate. If I’m not at work or spending time with my family, I’m probably exploring nature, checking out the local live music scene, or immersing myself in a cooking or baking project.

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