Every day, millions of Americans struggle with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, child care, and daily living expenses. Economic insecurity has profound and lasting effects on an individual’s health and well-being from childhood to their senior years. A lifetime perspective reveals how early exposure to economic hardship during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood can shape long-term economic and health outcomes. These disparities influence access to essential resources such as healthcare, stable housing, and financial security. However, addressing these challenges remains complex due to uneven policy implementation, resource limitations, and systemic barriers.
BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) is proud to host this Research in Action event, where six BUSSW researchers present critical findings that explore policy solutions aimed at breaking cycles of economic insecurity:
• How can we use data and research evidence to inform advocacy and policy for children, specifically in immigrant families?
• How can we strengthen child care to support families, expand access, and equip providers with needed resources?
• What are the implications of expanding federal low-income housing assistance programs for children and families?
• What type of policy interventions can help strengthen economic opportunities for young adults?
• How do Medicaid policies affect access to opioid use disorder treatment for low-income adults?
• How can we address the persistent gender gap in economic security in later life?
Join us as we examine the social issues and policy solutions that shape economic security, health, and well-being across an individual’s lifetime.
PROGRAM:
5:30-7:00 l Lighting Talk Presentations/Q&A (Hybrid)
7:00-8:00 pm l Reception (In-Person)
Featured Speakers
Hyeouk “Chris” Hahm, PhD (moderator) – Professor and Associate Dean for Research, BUSSW
Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, PhD – Professor and Director, Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity & Healthy Development (IECOHD), BUSSW
Yoonsook Ha, PhD – Associate Professor, BUSSW
Tom Byrne, PhD – Associate Professor, BUSSW
Mary Collins, PhD – Professor, BUSSW
Peter Treitler, PhD – Assistant Professor, BUSSW
Judith Gonyea, PhD – Professor, BUSSW
Accessibility
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in its facilities, programming, and academic offerings. Your experience at this event is important to us. If you have a disability or believe you may require accommodation for another reason, please contact BUSSW at bussw@bu.edu at least one week prior to the event date to discuss your needs.
Instructions on accessing this webinar will be sent to you via email from alumni@bu.edu once registration is complete. Please check your junk/spam folder for the confirmation. If content from the webinar is available after the event, it will be sent to you directly from the event host at BU School of Social Work. If you have any questions or cannot find the confirmation email in your inbox, please contact alumni@bu.edu.
The virtual livestream will be conducted using the online Zoom webinar platform. This webinar is open to all members of the BU community including alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the public.