Michael Freeman

What attracted you to the health metrics field?

Throughout college, I struggled to reconcile my interest in social justice with a propensity for quantitative courses. Once I was exposed to rigorous social research methods, I began to understand how my quantitative skills could be applied to fields such as public health. My specific interest in global health research evolved during a semester spent studying health and development in Kenya. Being exposed to the dire health conditions there reinforced the idea that high-quality data analysis is a prerequisite to generating support for and properly implementing interventions.

What work are you doing at IHME?

Studying public health from a sociological perspective sparked my interest in differential risk exposure, so I was excited to join the Risk Factors research team at IHME. I am embarking on a project on tobacco use that aims to develop age- and sex-specific estimates of smoking for every country from 1960 to present. The purpose is to track the distribution of tobacco risks over time and geography and to identify trends. The goal is to inform policymakers and others about high-risk populations and future projections. The project will involve developing a mathematical model combining micro-level tobacco surveys with macro-level tobacco trade data.

How do you think your experience at IHME will contribute to your future work?

I plan to pursue positions that address social justice issues using a quantitative framework. My experience here will undoubtedly provide me with the technical skills and critical eye that are fundamental to success in this field. Because the projects at IHME demand robust statistical methods, I hope to leave with a refined technical understanding of quantitative approaches to addressing social inequalities.

Published Works