Curriculum Vitae

CURRICULUM VITAE

JOHN K. DUAH, DHA, MPH, MA
Assistant Professor of Health Services Administration (Tenure-Track) Office Phone: +1 (334) 844-6234
Email: jkd0046@auburn.edu City: Auburn, AL 36849
Country: USA

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Dr. John K. Duah is a health systems researcher and Assistant Professor at Auburn University, specializing in health systems strengthening, public health preparedness and response, maternal and child health disparities, infectious disease surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement. His work integrates policy analysis, epidemiology, and advanced methodological approaches to examine systemic barriers to healthcare and enhance equitable access.
His ongoing research addresses maternal health, childhood immunization, and equitable healthcare delivery in fragile and humanitarian settings, as well as how broader health policy and IHR core capacities influence public health readiness and response. Dr. Duah is committed to preparing future healthcare professionals through innovative curriculum design, mentorship, and applied problem-solving strategies that strengthen health systems and improve patient care.

EDUCATION
Doctor of Health Administration                                                                                            June 2022
Health Administration (Major)
The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions 
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
Dissertation: Assessing Cross-Border Threats for Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19 in Ghana Using a Logic Model Approach

Master of Arts, Emergency Management and Homeland Security                                May 2017 
Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Major)
College of Public Service and Community Engagement
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Master of Public Health                                                                                                 January 2013
Health Policy (Major)
Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy
 University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences                                                                                 December 2009 
Department of Animal Sciences
Washington State University, Pullman, WA

WORK EXPERIENCE
2023-Present                                       Assistant Professor
Auburn University
Health Services Administration Program 
Department of Political Science, Auburn, Alabama
John instructs courses covering healthcare management, leadership, medical terminology, and health policy to ensure students gain comprehensive knowledge in these critical areas.
John designs and delivers a curriculum that integrates theoretical concepts with practical applications, aligning with the core competencies outlined by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).
John motivates students to engage in health-related research projects, recognizing the potential to enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, ultimately contributing to improved quality and patient outcomes.

2020-2021                                            Epidemiology Lead III (Contract role) 
Medasource/Texas Department of State Health Services 
Austin, Texas
Directed a team of infectious disease outbreak investigators amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on containing disease spread and addressing pressing health threats within the community.
Offered leadership to ensure the achievement of daily targets and the successful delivery of project outcomes, aligning with COVID-19 objectives to mitigate the spread of the virus and optimize the utilization of healthcare resources.
Guided and inspired team members to improve team dynamics and foster collaboration, aligning efforts with the COVID-19 team's objectives of coordinated response and efficient resource utilization.

2014-2018                                                Management Analyst and Epidemiology Coordinator
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
Healthy Start Program
San Antonio, Texas
John coordinated the San Antonio Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) initiative and the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review (MMMR) perinatal project to help eliminate disparities in perinatal health as required by HRSA.
Offered subject matter expertise in case review meetings, crafting actionable recommendations that align with HRSA's guidelines for Healthy Start grantees, thus contributing to the program's objectives.
Managed contract staff and upheld HIPAA compliance standards during project meetings in alignment with program goals and objectives.

2016-2018                                                  Quality Improvement Lead (Other duties as assigned)
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
 Healthy Start Program 
San Antonio, Texas
Oversaw and guided program staff in various continuous quality improvement initiatives, aligning with Healthy Start's program benchmarks and performance measures.
Educated staff on quality improvement methodologies, including the PDSA cycle and SWOT analysis, to ensure alignment with Healthy Start benchmarks and performance measures.
Provided technical support and facilitated capacity building in primary data collection and analysis, aligning with Healthy Start benchmarks, performance measures, and monitoring functions.
Facilitated focus group sessions and incorporated patient feedback to enhance service delivery, in line with meeting the objectives of the Healthy Start program and leveraging participant input for continuous improvement.

2012-2013                                                         Public Health Consultant/Contractor 
Fresh Health Group of Companies Ltd 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Directed strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of quality safety measures and care bundles, streamlining processes and utilizing system-related data to enhance maternal health outcomes and prevent adverse birth outcomes in resource-scarce care delivery settings.
Emphasized the prioritization of healthcare services for women throughout the preconception, prenatal, and postnatal stages, integrating a systems thinking approach to enhance maternal health outcomes and prevent adverse birth outcomes.
Employed perinatal periods of risk analysis (PPOR) reports to identify and rectify gaps in care delivery, thereby strengthening the continuum of care and improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

PAST RESEARCH PROJECTS
Evaluated the association between prenatal smoking and maternal health outcomes, identifying systemic barriers to prenatal care through the Three Delays Model and PRAMS Phase 8 data. This research pinpointed disparities in maternal health within the prenatal care continuum and proposed context-specific public health and policy solutions to enhance outcomes for women of reproductive age.
Examined strategies for strengthening infectious disease surveillance at Kotoka International Airport to enhance Ghana’s capacity to prevent disease importation amid Ebola and COVID-19 threats. Utilizing the social-ecological framework, the IHR capacity monitoring framework, and a logic model approach, the study identified critical contextual factors such as laboratory capacity and public health response that shape surveillance effectiveness. Findings pinpointed resource gaps and infrastructure needs, informing targeted recommendations to optimize preparedness strategies, enhance surveillance systems, and strengthen public health resilience in resource-limited settings.
Conducted and led perinatal case reviews and stakeholder engagement initiatives to nhance perinatal health outcomes by identifying systemic gaps, improving care quality, and reducing perinatal mortality. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examined disparities in maternal and neonatal health, informed evidence-based interventions, and fostered collaborative solutions with key stakeholders to advance maternal and child health equity.
Directed strategic planning and quality improvement initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes in resource-scarce settings by prioritizing care across the preconception, prenatal, and postnatal continuum. Employed the Perinatal Periods of Risk Analysis (PPOR) framework to identify critical gaps and inform targeted, evidence-based recommendations for enhancing maternal and infant health.
Led community-based initiatives to advance health equity by reducing implicit bias and maternal mortality through strengthened collaboration and local engagement. Applied the Collective Impact and Asset-Based Community Development frameworks to promote accessible, culturally responsive health services, mobilize community assets, and cultivate partnerships among healthcare providers to support sustainable improvements in maternal health outcomes.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
Project 1: Barriers to Prenatal Care Access: A Latent Class and Mixed Methods Study on Pregnancy Intentionality
This study looks at how a woman's intentions about pregnancy affect when she starts prenatal care. Using latent class analysis within the Health Care Access Barriers model, it examines both structural and personal factors that shape whether and when women seek care. The findings offer practical ways to help more women get early and fair access to prenatal services.
Project 2: Measles Epidemiology and Immunization Challenges in Somalia
This work looks at how measles spreads in different parts of Somalia and identifies the challenges that prevent people from getting vaccinated. It connects local disease trends with larger public health issues. The study’s goal is to offer practical ideas for tracking diseases, responding to outbreaks, and improving vaccination programs in difficult and unstable environments. 
Project 3: Evaluation of Tuberculosis and TB-HIV Co-infection Challenges in Fragile Health Systems. 
This project supports broader disease control efforts by prioritizing surveillance, integrating health services, and developing recovery strategies in areas with limited resources and those recovering from conflict. The aim is to strengthen health security where it’s needed most.

RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENT
Public Health Preparedness for Monkeypox Containment in West Africa
This project examines how well public health systems in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo are prepared to contain Mpox along their shared borders. It focuses on disease monitoring, risk communication, and health systems readiness. The International Health Regulations (IHR) framework guides the analysis to identify weaknesses in current systems and recommend practical steps to strengthen cross-border collaboration and regional preparedness.
Evaluating Surveillance and Laboratory Capacity for Measles Control in West Africa
This study looks at the connection between national surveillance (C.5) and laboratory (C.2) capacity scores and measles cases in 15 West African countries from 2010 to 2024. Using a longitudinal ecological panel design and negative binomial mixed models, it analyzes whether yearly improvements in SPAR indicators are linked to fewer measles cases, while accounting for immunization coverage and socioeconomic factors. The results aim to guide regional policies for implementing the IHR and help target investments to strengthen efforts against vaccine-preventable diseases. 
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Duah, J. K. (2026). Tuberculosis and tuberculosis-human immunodeficiency virus in post-conflict West Africa: Lessons for integrated surveillance from 2000 to 2022. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 17(1), a1700. https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1700
Duah, J.K. Conflict-aware geospatial diagnostics to inform subnational immunization microplanning in Somalia from 2015 to 2023. Discov Public Health 23, 773 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02141-4
Parker-Jenkins, N., & Duah, J. K. (2026). Compensation Stability and Workforce Retention During COVID-19: A Paired Comparative Study of Home Care Nurses. Healthcare, 14(3), 414. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14030414
Duah, J. K. (2025). Beyond Intentionality: A Latent Class Analysis of Barriers to Prenatal Care in an Explanatory Mixed Methods Study. Healthcare, 13(13), 1546. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13131546
Duah, J. K. (2025). Smoking During Pregnancy and Its Association with Maternal Health Among Women of Reproductive Age in Alabama: An Analysis Using the Three Delays Model and PRAMS Phase 8 Data. Healthcare, 13(11), 1277. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111277
Ali, H., Sa'd Hamasha, Fatemi, Y., Turochy, R., & Duah, J. (2025). Impact of COVID-19 on maternal health and birth outcomes: A network analysis in Alabama. Public Health, 246, 105838–105838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.105838 
Duah, J. K., Dotun-Olujinmi, O., Johnson, J. A., & Greenhill, R. G. (2023). Points of entry dynamics: understanding the cross-border threats for ebola virus disease and Covid-19 in Ghana using a logic model approach. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2023.2264
Book Chapters
Duah, J. K., & Dotun-Olujinmi, O. (2023). Response of four African countries to COVID-19 pandemic amidst fragile health systems. In J. A. Johnson & N. E. Deshore (Eds.), COVID-19 Global Pandemic: The World Responds. Sentia Publishing.
Duah, J. K. (2023). Infectious disease management at points of entry. In J. A. Johnson & N. E. Deshore (Eds.), COVID-19 Global Pandemic: The World Responds. Sentia Publishing.
Manuscripts Under Review
Duah, J. K. (2025). Predictive value of IHR surveillance (C.5) and laboratory (C.2) capacities for national measles incidence: A 2011-2023 panel analysis of 14 West African countries. Currently under review by BMC Public Health
Duah, J. K., Ani, N. A., & Laate, D. N. (2025). Conflict hotspot trajectories and immunization coverage in Nigeria: A descriptive spatial analysis of ACLED and DHS data from 2010 to 2024. Currently under review by BMC Public  Health. Preprint available at: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7809165/v1 
Duah, J. K. (2025). Food price volatility and child wasting in global hotspots: An ecological panel study of early-warning signals and health-system resilience. Currently under review by BMC Public Health.
Duah, J. K. (2026). A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study of Financing Structure and Timely Entry into Prenatal Care as a Health System Access Metric in the United States, 2021–2024. Currently under review by BMC Health Services Research.
Public Outreach
Duah, J.K. (2024). Public health surveillance, from social media to sewage, spots disease outbreaks early to stop them fast. The Conversation, available at https://doi.org/10.64628/AAI.ms3fwx94d
Interviews and Media Appearances
As a featured guest on the Let’s Talk Public Health Podcast, I examined structural and systemic barriers to prenatal care in Alabama and highlighted ways to strengthen support systems for pregnant women to enhance birth outcomes. Recorded in December 2025 and published on December 5, 2025. Episode: Beyond Intentionality: A Latent Class Analysis of Barriers to Prenatal Care in Explanatory Mixed Methods Study. Available at https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tt3xr-19e14d9
Auburn University news feature, Health Services Administration faculty member studies global health care systems, published November 3, 2025. Available at https://wire.auburn.edu/content/ocm/2025/11/031333-john-duah-health-services-administration-faculty.php
Featured guest on Let’s Talk Public Health Podcast. Discussed maternal mortality in Ghana, including challenges and potential solutions to improve outcomes. Recorded in June 2024, published July 7, 2024. Episode: Maternal Mortality in Ghana. Available at https://letstalkpublichealth.podbean.com/e/maternal-mortality-in-ghana/
Peer Review Contributions
Peer review completed for BMC Public Health (Springer Nature), August 1, 2026; May 21, 2026; May 1, 2026; March 26, 2026; August 30, 2025; August 30, 2025. Certificates of Recognition received. Six reviews completed.
Peer reviews completed for BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (Springer Nature), January 12, 2026; December 21, 2025; October 24, 2025; October 20, 2025; October 3, 2025; July 22, 2025. Certificate of Recognition received. Six reviews completed.
Peer reviews completed for Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio), November 28, 2025; October 24, 2025. Certificates of Recognition received. Two reviews completed.
Peer review completed for Reproductive Health (Springer Nature), July 11, 2026; August 30, 2025. Certificate of Recognition received. Two reviews completed.
Peer review completed for Contraception and Reproductive Medicine (Springer Nature), July 26, 2025. Certificate of Recognition received.
Peer review completed for Western Journal of Nursing Research (SAGE Publishing), November 30, 2025. Recognition received and verifiable via Web of Science.
Peer review completed for SAGE Open Nursing (SAGE Publishing), July 26, 2025. Recognition received and verifiable via Web of Science.
Peer review completed for JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (JMIR Publications), February 14, 2025. Recognition received and verifiable via Web of Science.
All records verified via Web of Science Researcher Profile (ID: MIQ-4485-2025)
University Reader, PhD Dissertation Defense
Auburn University, May 2025
Served as the University Reader for a doctoral dissertation in the College of Engineering, providing an independent scholarly evaluation of the dissertation’s rigor, methodology, and overall contribution. Responsibilities included reviewing the full dissertation manuscript and participating in the final defense proceedings.
Research Mentorship and Student Collaboration
Served as co-author and research mentor for two PhD students on the manuscript Conflict hotspot trajectories and immunization coverage in Nigeria: A descriptive spatial analysis of ACLED and DHS data from 2010 to 2024, currently under review at BMC Public Health. In this role, I supported analytic design, interpreted results, contributed to manuscript development, and assisted with preparing the submission for peer review.
Professional Service
Independent Reviewer, Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Undergraduate Certification Review, 2024–2025 Cycle
Provided a neutral evaluation of a draft certification review report, focusing on alignment with AUPHA criteria.
Feedback given was acknowledged by the Certification Manager; the program under review did not make further revisions in response.
Recognized for thorough and well-documented review; subsequently invited to continue service for the Fall 2025–2026 cycle (declined due to time constraints).
Faculty Advisor, Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society
 Auburn University, 2024– Present
Serve as Academic Advisor for the AUPHA-affiliated honor society in Health Administration.
Revised chapter guidelines in Fall 2024 to align with national standards and promote student engagement.
Support student leadership development and academic excellence through mentoring and programming.
Teaching and Instruction
Courses emphasize applied learning, interdisciplinary integration, and student-centered engagement.
Redesigned HADM 3300 to incorporate interactive online forums and applied learning components. 
Designed service-learning components in HADM 3300 to expose students to real-world policy formulation and adoption processes. 
Scholarly Service
Reviewer for a forthcoming Jones and Bartlett textbook chapter in Health Policy.
Judge for Auburn University’s Three-Minute Thesis Competition, supporting graduate scholarship and communication.
POSTER/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Duah JK, Marjanovic J, Shahabuddin S, Studley E, Wilkerson M. "The Opioid Crisis in the United States: Overview, Origins, and Potential Solutions.”
 Public Health Seminar, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 2019 (March 15-17)
 Duah JK. “Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR): A Community-Based Intervention to Address Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes in San Antonio and Bexar County.” 
CityMatch Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference and Healthy Start Convention, Nashville, TN, 2017 (September 17- 20)
Duah JK, Murray A. “The ABCD of Impacting Change: A Model to Improve Timely and Consistent Utilization of Prenatal Care Services in San Antonio and Bexar County.” 
National Healthy Start Convention, Washington, D.C., 2016 (September 26- 28)
Accepted Poster Presentations
Duah, J. K. (2026). Integrating Global and Domestic Frameworks to Strengthen Financing and Governance in Urban Health Resilience. Poster accepted for presentation at the Urban Transitions 2026 Conference, Sitges, Spain, November 10-12, 2026.
COURSES TAUGHT
Auburn University
Medical Terminology (HADM 2100). 
Health Care Policy (HADM 3300). 
Healthcare Management and Leadership- Writing Enriched (HADM 4000). 
HONORS AND AWARDS
Certificate of Appreciation from Texas State Representative Ina Minjarez for outstanding leadership and dedication to improving maternal and child health outcomes in San Antonio (July 24, 2018).
Scholarship recipient, CityMatch Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Leadership Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2016 (September 14-16)
Scholarship recipient, CityMatch Training Course in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, 2015 (June 1-5)
LANGUAGES
Twi (Native language and highly proficient) 
English (Highly proficient)  
STATISTICAL SOFTWARE
SPSS proficient
R
↑Back to Top