STI
Women's HealthCongenital syphilis prevention required more than individual-level interventions. It required an understanding of the social, behavioral, and institutional systems that shape care access and treatment engagement. I examined how healthcare infrastructure, stigma, and fragmented services contribute to missed prevention opportunities in high-burden regions of California. Through qualitative and participatory approaches, I documented how patients and providers navigate systemic barriers in real-world clinical settings. These studies underscored the need for interventions that address both patient-level experiences and broader health system inequities.
Park E, Yip J, Harville E, Nelson M, Giarratano G, Buekens P, Wagman J. Qualitative Assessment on the Rise of Congenital Syphilis in California: Identifying Gaps in Preventing Congenital Syphilis. BMC Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):129. doi:10.1186/s12879-022-07100-3
Wagman JA, Park E, Giarratano GP, Buekens PM, Harville EW. Understanding perinatal patient’s health preferences and patient-provider relationships to prevent congenital syphilis in California and Louisiana. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022;22(1):555.
Chan EYL, Smullin C, Clavijo S, Papp-Green M, Park E, Nelson M, Giarratano G, Wagman J. A qualitative assessment of structural barriers to prenatal care and congenital syphilis prevention in Kern County, California. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0249419.
