Augusta University
Biplab Datta, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Management, Economics, and Policy
- Augusta GA UNITED STATES
Dr. Datta focuses on biopsychosocial determinants of health and the scope of psychosocial attributes in healthcare management.
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February 06, 2025
3 min
September 17, 2024
2 min
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Biography
Dr. Biplab Datta is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Management, Economics, and Policy within AU's School of Public Health. Prior to joining Augusta University he served as a Prevention Effectiveness Fellow Economist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Datta’s expertise broadly covers the areas of health economics and population health. He primarily investigates the burden, determinants, and consequences of chronic conditions and related health care management. He has special interest in biopsychosocial factors that are critical for prevention and disease management.
His research contributes to understanding both the influence of biopsychosocial factors on health outcomes and behaviors, and the socioeconomic and psychosocial burden of certain health conditions. He primarily focuses on cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic conditions including cancer. He also studies biopsychosocial determinants of health-promoting- (e.g., screening, vaccination) and health-risk- behaviors (e.g., tobacco use, alcohol consumption).
Dr. Datta is an expert in secondary data analysis. He uses large population surveys including National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, and registry data such as SEER-Medicare Linked Data to address research questions. He also frequently uses Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from various countries for his global health research.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Best Budding Economist of South Asia, 5th South Asian Economics Students’ Meet
2008
Award of Honor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
2008
GRA Outstanding Award, Georgia State University
2014, 2015
Honor of Excellence, Notre Dame Abritti Dal (Recitation Club)
2009
The Quantitative Economics Award, Georgia State University
2015
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Fellowship
2015, 2016
E.D. (Jack) Dunn Fellowship, Georgia State University
2016
Student Fellow of the Public Choice Society
2016
Education
Georgia State University
Ph.D.
Economics
2017Simon Fraser University
M.A
Economics
2011University of Dhaka
M.S.S.
Economics
2009University of Dhaka
B.S.S.
Economics
2008Links
Media Appearances
Annual Healthy Georgia Report looks at public health in the Peach State
Augusta University News online
2025-02-06
“Every year we strive to present data in a way that policymakers may find helpful in making policy choices,” Datta said. “There are several new topics that were added to this year’s report and some of those are concerning for the state of Georgia, particularly the communicable diseases like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. High prevalence rates of these conditions in Georgia, compared to the rest of the U.S. and the Southeastern Region, warrant attention of the public health community.”
Study shows long COVID is associated with food insecurity
Augusta University News online
2024-09-17
Biplab Datta, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Public Health, recently completed a study on the effects of long COVID and the association with food insecurity among low-income families, defined as those with income of less than 200% of the federal poverty line.
A new report checks the health of Georgians and shows room for improvement
Yahoo! News online
2024-02-25
The annual Healthy Georgia report is out. The publication comes from the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University. It looks at rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer and other issues. Watch our interview with Dr. Biplab Datta, and find out how Georgia compares to other parts of the country.
AU report rates Georgians’ health compared to other states
WRDW tv
2024-02-13
One area where the state has fallen behind is obesity rates, Assistant Professor Bipab Datta said. “It increased particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. So, to be exact, we increased by almost four percentage points. So it’s a huge increase,” said Datta.
FOX54 Mornings: Augusta University releases Healthy Georgia Report
WFXG tv
2024-02-07
Augusta University released its annual Healthy Georgia report. It is a one-of-a-kind report in the state and it shows how Georgia ranks in the southeast and the entire United States when it comes to health issues. The report looks at health related issues. The report will end up in the hands of state legislators to help them potentially direct funding and resources to certain areas.
Preventative action is needed now to reduce Georgians' risk of disease in the future
GPB radio
2024-02-06
More and younger people are struggling with obesity and diabetes, especially in rural parts of the South. The annual Healthy Georgians report from Augusta University has suggestions for policy makers. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge has more.
New health research at Augusta University aims impact Georgia public health
WJBF tv
2023-02-22
Dr. Biplab Datta, assistant professor at Augusta University’s Institute of Public and Preventative Health, tells us that one major finding is that urban populations and younger Georgians aged 18-49 are showing higher rates of cardiovascular diseases.
The Means Report
WJBF tv
2023-02-19
Dr. Biblop Datta joins us to talk about the Healthy Georgia Report. Researchers at Augusta University’s Institute of Public and Preventive Health compile the annual assessment. Dr. Datta discusses how Georgia compares to other parts of the country in several health categories. Please watch this interview, then join us for The Means Report. We are on Monday afternoons at 12:30 on WJBF NewsChannel 6.
FOX54 Mornings: Augusta University releases Healthy Georgia report
WFXG tv
2023-02-06
Augusta University released its annual Healthy Georgia report. It is a one-of-a-kind report in the state of Georgia and it shows how Georgia ranks in the southeast and the entire United States when it comes to health issues.
One on One with Richard Rogers | How healthy are we?
WRDW tv
2023-02-05
Let’s get real- just how healthy are we? A new report, Healthy Georgia, says where you live can make a difference. Dr. Biplab Datta talks one on one with Richard Rogers to break it down for us.
It’s Time to Treat Housing Insecurity as a Health Risk
Wired UK online
2022-10-07
So it’s not one factor alone that likely contributes to cancer disparities, but rather the joint impact of race, ethnicity, housing, and other different factors acting together, argues Biplab Datta, assistant professor at the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University. A potential solution is identifying populations that are at greater risk from cancer, he says, and if housing insecurity is higher among a population or location, then critical improvements—such as improving cancer screening and quality of care, and reducing stress—should be pursued in those places, through policy.
Cost of cancer treatment can impact health of survivors
Augusta University News online
2022-09-15
“When you have catastrophic financial consequences from fighting cancer, what do you do? You cut back,” explains co-author Dr. Biplab Datta, a health economist in the Augusta University Institute of Public and Preventive Health. “You don’t shop at the local grocery store. You don’t go to local restaurants. You cannot spend your money in the community, which also impacts other people living in the community. It’s a domino effect. We cannot thrive alone. We thrive as a community.”
Cost of cancer treatment can impact health of survivors
Yahoo! online
2022-09-15
“When you have catastrophic financial consequences from fighting cancer, what do you do? You cut back,” says Dr. Biplab Datta, an author on the study and health economist at the Augusta University Institute of Public and Preventive Health in a press release. “You don’t shop at the local grocery store. You don’t go to local restaurants. You cannot spend your money in the community, which also impacts other people living in the community. It’s a domino effect.”
New study shows child marriage could cause long-term hypertension
Augusta University News online
2022-08-11
“The finding that child marriage is a risk factor for hypertension later in life adds to the long list of reasons why we need to prevent these marriages from happening,” said Datta. “Furthermore, those who already were married at a young age are in need of standard hypertension care.
Answers
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When it comes to cancer, Georgia has a low prevalence rate, but other data shows higher incidence rates, what needs to be done next?
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“I think we need more investigation into this particular issue. Why are we seeing such low numbers of cancer prevalence when we know that cancer incidence rates are very high in Georgia?”
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Obesity rate in Georgia is the 14th highest in all of the U.S. and it's on the rise. Also, the number of younger people with obesity is increasing, why is this concerning?
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“That is problematic because if someone is developing some cardiometabolic conditions in this age group, they will be at a high risk for adverse cardiovascular events at an older age. So we need to focus on food habits, physical exercise and other health promoting behaviors to prevent and control obesity."
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Why is the Healthy Georgia Report important and what impact do you hope it has on policy and lawmakers?
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“They have a good appetite for data-driven policy changes. I think this report actually helps them in that direction. We tried to present data in a way that policymakers may find helpful in deciding on appropriate policy choices.”
Articles
Family history of cancer as a risk factor for Long COVID among United States adults
Cancer Causes & ControlHannah L. Wilkey & Biplab Kumar Datta
2026-01-13
Background Previous research has identified several risk factors for Long COVID, including cancer. This study aims to assess whether adults with a family history of cancer had a higher risk for Long COVID. Methods This cross-sectional study used data on 25,389 adults, who were not cancer patients or survivors, from the nationally representative 2023 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable generalized linear models were estimated to assess the prevalence of Long COVID (i.e., having symptoms for ≥ 3 months) for self-reported family history of cancer by sequentially adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic attributes, health behaviors, and underlying health conditions. Karlson–Holm–Breen (KHB) method was applied to assess potential mediating effects of health conditions.
Medical debt and insufficient sleep among U.S. adults
Sleep Epidemiology2025-08-06
Background Medical debt is a rising public health concern in the United States. This study aims to examine whether family-level medical indebtedness, defined as inability to pay medical bills, was associated with insufficient sleep (≤ 6 hours) among US adults of different generations (boomers, generation X, and millennials) during pre- and post- Affordable Care Act (ACA) and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Nationally representative data from 2011–2013, 2015–2018, and 2022 and 2024 waves of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used. Since both medical debt and sleep health are tied with socioeconomic positions, separate investigations across disaggregated income levels were performed, followed by random effect meta-analyses, to obtain an overall estimate of the relationship for respective generations across periods. Robustness-check analyses were performed for sub-samples stratified by sex.
Medical debt is associated with higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among U.S. adults
Journal of Epidemiology and Population HealthSohawm Sengupta, Biplab Kumar Datta, Steven S. Coughlin
2025-06-14
Background Medical debt is associated with poor mental and physical health outcome among US adults. Extant evidence also suggests an association between psychological distress and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Building on these two strands of literature, this paper aimed to assess whether medical debt, defined as inability to pay medical bills, was associated with higher SSB consumption in US adults. Methods Using data on 26,559 adults from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, we estimated two-part models to assess aggregate monthly frequency of SSB consumption. We used logistic regression to model the binary consumption decision (first part) and a generalized linear model (GLM) with log link and Poisson distribution to model the continuous frequency of consumption (second part). Adjustments were made for demographic, socioeconomic, and other known determinants of SSB consumption along with interview month fixed effects.
Long COVID and financial hardship: A disaggregated analysis at income and education levels
Health Services ResearchBiplab Kumar Datta, Ishtiaque Fazlul, M. Mahmud Khan
2024-12-02
Objectives To examine how long COVID is associated with financial hardship (food insecurity, inability to pay bills, or threat of losing service) across income and education levels, and to assess the role of employment loss or reduced work hours in this hardship. Data Source and Study Setting We used nationally representative data on 271,076 adults from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Role of Child Marriage and Adolescent Childbearing on Hysterectomy Among Married Women in India: A Cross-Sectional and Time-to-Event Analysis
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & GynaecologyBiplab Kumar Datta, Ashwini Tiwari
2024-09-06
Objective Child marriage forces a girl into adult roles before physical and psychological maturity, which can take a toll on women's health over the life course. This article aims to assess whether child marriage and adolescent childbearing are associated with elevated risk of gynaecologic disorders leading to hysterectomy. Design Cross-sectional and time-to-event analysis
Medical financial hardship in the Southern United States: the struggle continues across generations pre- and post- the Affordable Care Act
Research in Health Services & RegionsBiplab Kumar Datta, Steven S. Coughlin, Justin Xavier Moore & Jie Chen
2024-09-04
Introduction Medical financial hardship in the United States is a growing public health concern. This study aims to assess the south vs. non-south disparities in medical financial hardship among US adults of different generations – Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980), and the Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) across periods pre- and post- Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Long COVID and the higher risk of food insecurity among participants and non-participants of food assistance programs in the United States
Science DirectBiplab Datta, Serena Phillips
2024-08-01
Background In the aftermath of the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is important to understand the extent of socioeconomic burdens of long COVID, defined as continuation of symptoms after initial infection, including food insecurity. Objective This study aimed to assess the association between long COVID and family food insecurity among low-income individuals (or any of their family members living with them) who were participants and non-participants of public food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, and NSLP) in the United States.
Health disparity at the intersection of religion and caste: Evidence from India
Science DirectBiplab Kumar Datta, Shriya Thakkar
2024-07-26
The provisions and recognition of Schedule Castes (SCs), the constitutional term for the Dalits in India, have been exclusively extended to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs (HBS). Omission of Dalit Muslims and Christians (MC) from the SC category stripped them of the affirmative action benefits tied with the SC status. This study aimed to explore how such differential treatment might play a role in differential health outcomes in Dalit women in India.
Religious minority status and risk of hypertension in women: Evidence from Bangladesh
HeliyonBiplab Kumar Datta, Sanjoy Kumar Chowdhury
2024-06-22
Discrimination based on religion and communal violence against religious minorities have been on the rise worldwide. Despite growing incidences of violence against religious minorities, little is known on the relationship between minority status and population health outcomes in the low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). This study intends fill this gap by assessing the prevalence of hypertension among religious minority women in Bangladesh, a South Asian country with high levels of social hostilities involving religion.
Role of life satisfaction, emotional support, and feeling of social isolation on adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations among US women
Journal of Cancer PolicyBiplab Kumar Datta, Aneesha Gummadi, Steven S. Coughlin
2024-03-01
Background Psychosocial factors can play important roles in promoting preventive health behaviors. This study aimed to assess how life satisfaction, receipt of emotional support, and feeling of social isolation were associated with adherence to the USPSTF recommendation of breast cancer screening in a nationally representative US population. Methods Using data on 71,583 women aged 50 to 74 years, from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, we estimated multivariable logistic regressions to assess the odds of adherence across different categories of the respective psychosocial constructs. We accounted for various demographic and socioeconomic correlates and checked the robustness of the relationship within income and educational sub-groups.
Psychosocial well-being and firearm storage practices: evidence from five US states
BMJ JournalsBiplab Kumar Datta, Jennifer E. Jaremski, Aaron Johnson
2024-02-08
Objective Gun safety practices can play a pivotal role in preventing suicide and unintentional injuries involving a firearm. This study aimed to assess whether psychosocial well-being, measured by emotional support, feeling of social isolation and life satisfaction, influenced safe storage practices among individuals who had firearms in or around their home. Methods Data are from the firearm safety module of the 2022 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System survey of 11 722 individuals having firearms and living in California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico and Ohio. Respondents were asked to identify how guns were stored in their homes including: (1) not loaded, (2) loaded but locked and (3) loaded and unlocked. Multinomial logistic regression models with controls for sociodemographic correlates assess the relative risks of certain storage measures.
Prevalence of intellectual disability among adults born in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States
Wiley Online LibraryTeal Benevides, Biplab Datta, Jen Jerneski, M. McKee
2024-01-16
Background Prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) is currently estimated through parent report on surveys of children. It is difficult to estimate the number of adults living with ID in the United States because no comprehensive survey or surveillance allows for identification. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and number of adults with ID born between 1980 and 1999 using multiple years of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Census data. Methods We concatenated the NHIS from 1997–2016 that evaluated parental response about whether a child aged 3–17 years had an ID. Using weighted survey analyses, we estimated the prevalence of ID among individuals across four birth cohorts—(1) 1980–1984, (2) 1985–1989, (3) 1990–1994, and (4) 1995–1999. The number of adults with ID was then extrapolated by applying these prevalence rates to Census population estimates (as of 1 July 2021) of respective birth cohorts.
Health disparity at the intersection of religion and caste: Evidence from India
Science DirectBiplab Kumar Datta, Shriya Thakkar
2023-12-01
Objective The provisions and recognition of Schedule Castes (SCs), the constitutional term for the Dalits in India, have been exclusively extended to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs (HBS). Omission of Dalit Muslims and Christians (MC) from the SC category stripped them of the affirmative action benefits tied with the SC status. This study aimed to explore how such differential treatment might play a role in differential health outcomes in Dalit women in India. Methods Drawing data on 177,346 Dalit women, aged 20 to 49 years, from two successive nationally representative surveys, we assessed the differential likelihood of hypertension and diabetes, between MC- and HBS- Dalit women. Accounting for birth cohort-, survey wave-, and state of residence- fixed effects, along with socioeconomic conditions and cardiometabolic risk factors, we obtained adjusted odds of having hypertension and diabetes in MC women. To check the validity of our results, we conducted similar analyses using data on 170,889 Scheduled Tribe (ST) women, another marginalized group, whose ST-status recognition were not tied to religion.
COVID-19 and health care related financial toxicity in the United States: Evidence from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey
American Journal of Infection ControlBiplab Datta, Steven S. Coughlin, Ishtaque Fazlul, Ajay Padey
2023-11-10
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the health and wellbeing of individuals from almost all walks of life. Illness due to SARS-CoV-2 has brought numerous hardships to individuals and families including job loss, financial hardship, reductions in income, diminished social connections, and decreased access to healthcare. Several studies explored these issues primarily in the context of psychological resilience and mental health outcomes. Few studies examined barriers in access and utilization of health care during the pandemic, and these were conducted on special populations such as survivors of different types of cancer. Evidence on the relationship between COVID-19 and health care related financial toxicity in the general population has been limited.
Perceived Social Support and Cardiovascular Risk Among Nonelderly Adults in the United States
The American Journal of CardiologyBiplab Datta, Steven S. Coughlin, Aneesha Gummadi, Daniel Mehrabain, Benjamin Ansa
2023-12-15
Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity are major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. A recent study projected a marked surge in these cardiometabolic conditions in the United States by the year 2060, posing a challenge for cardiovascular disease management in the coming years. This study aimed to explore and quantify the relation of a key psychosocial factor, social support, with the cardiovascular risk factors among nonelderly US adults (aged 18 to 64 years).
Relationship between social support, life satisfaction, and smoking status among US adults with cardiovascular risks
Taylor & Francis OnlineBiplab Kumar Datta, Steven S. Coughlin, Jiheyne
2023-09-28
Social support and life satisfaction are important determinants of health behaviors and health outcomes. Cigarette smoking, a health risk behavior that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, is deemed to have association with perceived social support and life satisfaction. This study assessed this relationship among US adults with one or more cardiovascular (CV) risks, namely, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Using nationally representative data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey on 17,557 adults with at least one CV risk, we examined whether individuals with low life-satisfaction and weak social-support were more likely to smoke compared to those with high life-satisfaction and strong social support.
Role of perceived social support in COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. adults
ScienceDirectBiplab Kumar Datta, Jennifer Jaremski, Benjamin Ansa, Lorraine Odhiambo, K.M. Monirul Islam, J Aaron Johnson
2023-04-27
Background Vaccine uptake concerns in the Unites States were at the forefront of public health discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022, approximately 80% of the U.S. population was vaccinated against the virus. This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. adults. Methods Using nationally representative cross-sectional data on 21,107 adults from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey, we assessed the COVID-19 vaccination rates across individuals with strong, some, and weak levels of social support. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to obtain the odds of being vaccinated in adults with different levels of perceived social support for the full sample and sub-samples of age groups.
The role of child marriage and marital disruptions on hypertension in women - A nationally representative study from India
ScienceDirectAshwini Tiwari, Biplab Kumar Datta, Mohammad Rifat Haider, Murshed Jahan
2023-04-17
Child marriage is associated with negative health trajectories among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Marital disruptions in LMICs are also associated with adverse socioeconomic and health outcomes in women. Yet, little is known about the compounded health effects of experiencing both child marriage and marital disruptions. Using nationally representative data from India among women aged 18–49 years, we examined the effects of marital age (i.e., marriage before or after 18 years) and martial disruptions (i.e., widowed/divorced/separated) on the odds of having hypertension.
Inequities in routine preventive care utilization among persons with overweight/obesity in the United States: An analysis of nativity, racial and ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status
Science DirectBiplab Kumar Datta, Stephen S. Coughlin, Ben Majeed
2023-03-13
Extant literature documented various health disparities among immigrants and racial and ethnically marginalized individuals in the United States. However, health disparities in the intersection of nativity and race are generally less visited. This cross-sectional study assessed utilization of routine preventive care among adults with overweight/obesity at the junction of their nativity, racial/ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status (i.e., income and education).
Early Marriage in Adolescence and Risk of High Blood Pressure and High Blood Glucose in Adulthood: Evidence from India
WomenBiplab Datta and Ashwini Tiwari
2022-07-27
Adolescence, the transition phase to adulthood, is a critical period for physical and psychological development. Disruptions during this period, such as getting married, could result in various adverse short- and long-term health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the differential risk of two common chronic conditions—high blood pressure and high blood glucose—in adult women (20–49 years) who were married during different stages of adolescence (10–19 years) compared to women who were married in their youth (20–24 years). Using the most recent nationally representative data from India, we separately assessed the odds in favor of having the two chronic conditions for women who were married during early (10–14 years), middle (15–17 years), and late (18–19 years) adolescence.
The risk of hypertension among child brides and adolescent mothers at age 20 s, 30 s, and 40 s: Evidence from India
Journal of Human HypertensionBiplab Kumar Datta, Mohammad Rifat Haider, Ashwini Tiwari & Murshed Jahan
2022-07-23
Hypertension in reproductive age women, particularly in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) is an area that is less explored. This study assesses the risk of hypertension in relation to two critical women’s health issues in the LMICs – child marriage and adolescent childbearing. The health consequences of these issues have been primarily studied in the context of reproductive health. There is a dearth of evidence on the long-term health outcomes associated with these early life events. The current study, by linking child marriage and adolescent motherhood with hypertension in young adult and early middle-aged women, is commensurate with the body of literature that examines the link between potentially early adversity and later life risk of chronic health outcomes.
Stolen childhood taking a toll at young adulthood: The higher risk of high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity among child brides
PLOS Global Public HealthBiplab Datta, Ashwini Tiwari, Lynn Glenn
2022-06-24
Despite notable progress being made in preventing child marriage, a significant proportion of women worldwide are still married before reaching adulthood. Though many aspects of child marriage have been widely studied, little is known on the later life health outcomes of child brides, let alone the critical need for healthcare during adulthood. This paper examines whether child brides at a young adult age bear a greater risk of high blood pressure (HBP) and high blood glucose (HBG) comorbidity than those who were married as adults.
