Undergraduate student, Divyani Tangudu, represented USF鈥檚 iSchool Health Informatics Research Lab at the 2024 Global Health Catalyst Summit held at Johns Hopkins on June 9, 2024. As a Young Catalyst presenter, Ms. Tangudu presented her lab鈥檚 research on analyzing disease trends in Florida and examining vaccine hesitancy.
The Global Health Catalyst Summit aims to foster international collaboration to eliminate health disparities in the United States and globally. Ms. Tangudu joined the Health Informatics Research Lab as a research assistant in January 2024. Her role involves analyzing data and conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Christina Eldrege, Director of Health Informatics Programs for USF鈥檚 School of Information, and Dr. Etienne Pracht, Professor at USF鈥檚 College of Public Health. The team鈥檚 focus is on vaccine hesitancy, which formed the basis of her presentation.
鈥淥ur research revealed that vaccine hesitancy rates are higher among lower-income
groups and racial minorities,鈥� says Ms. Tangudu. 鈥淒isparities in access to medical
care and financial resources are significant contributing factors.鈥�
Ms. Tangudu also highlighted, 鈥淲e observed a notable hesitancy toward Pneumococcal,
shingles, hepatitis A, and COVID-19 vaccines.鈥� She further explained, 鈥淎s part of
our research, we compared pediatric and adult patients and identified hesitancy towards
these top four vaccines. This trend was identified by assessing the average length
of stay in hospitals for patients hospitalized with these conditions.鈥�
Ms. Tangudu鈥檚 research as a lab student will continue to focus on this critical topic.
鈥淚 plan to further explore these groups and assist in creating educational programs
with Dr. Eldrege and Dr. Pracht to promote vaccine awareness.鈥�
Ms. Tangudu is an undergraduate student at USF double majoring in Biomedical Sciences
and Information Sciences with a concentration in Data Science and Analytics, and a
minor in Health Informatics. Outside her research role, she works as a medical assistant
at Florida Digestive Health Specialist. Upon graduation, Ms. Tangudu aspires to attend
medical school and specialize in pediatrics.