Ghada A. Khan

M.P.H., Ph.D.

Professor | Part-time Faculty

School: Milken Institute School of Public Health

Department: Prevention and Community Health

Contact:

Email: Ghada A. Khan

Milken Institute School of Public Health 950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20052

Dr. Ghada Khan is a public health practitioner, researcher, educator, and leader whose philosophy and career centers on enriching the lives of individuals and empowering communities, while building the organizations that serve them. Her diverse portfolio encompassed various roles, including her current appointment as a part-time faculty member in the Department of Prevention and Community Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. Dr. Khan’s research focus and expertise lies in Women’s Health; Maternal and Child Health; Infant and Young Child Feeding; and Community Based Participatory Research; with an underlying focus on addressing both health and gender inequities. She has investigated such areas as maternal nutrition, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, mental health, breastfeeding and young child feeding practices and policies, and community led health communication programs. In her research, Dr. Khan applies advanced mixed methods and strategies with an emphasis on qualitative approaches to further advance exploratory and explanatory aims.

Dr. Khan is a recipient of multiple health research and service awards from such platforms as the American Public Health Association, the Global Women’s Institute, the Global Women’s PEACE Foundation, The Nashman Prize for Community Engaged Participatory Research, and George Mason University. She has also served on numerous research review committees.

Dr. Khan has taught courses in nutrition, food security, global health, maternal and child health, qualitative research methods, public health foundations, health behavior theory, and program evaluation. Throughout her academic career, she has also been an academic advisor and research mentor to students at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level. Her contribution to health policy and practice has been highlighted in multiple newspapers and media outlets, both nationally and internationally.

Education

Doctor of Public Health, Health Behavior-The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, August 2018
Master of Public Health, Community Health- George Mason University, May 2010
Graduate Certificate in Nutrition- May 2010
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Genetic Engineering Concentration- University of California, Santa Barbara

Publications

Peer-Reviewed & Book Chapters

Shen, G. C., Chahal, R., Khan, N. A., Hussain, S. H., Khan, G., Adam, A., Wajid, A., & Laird, L. D. (2022). Muslim community-based health organizations: a hybrid of voluntary, religious and healthcare logics. Voluntary Sector Review, 13(3), 436-461
Khan, G. (2018). An Exploration of Lactation Support Programs within Accredited Academic Public Health Universities. GW Libraries and Academic Innovation, Dissertation Scholar Space. 2018.
Kavle J. Mehanna S. Khan G. Hassan M., Saleh G. Engmann C. “Program considerations for integration of nutrition and family planning: Beliefs around maternal diet and breastfeeding within the context of the nutrition transition in Egypt”. Maternal & Child Nutrition. 2017;0: e12469.
Khan, G. (2015). The Role of Growth Pattern Interpretations on U.S. Women’s Breastfeeding Decisions. In Smith, P & Labbok, M. (Eds),It takes a Village: The role of the greater community in inspiring and empowering women to breastfeed. (pg-234-236). Amarilloo, TX. Praeclarus Press.
Kavle J. Mehanna S. Khan G. Hassan M., Saleh G. Galloway R. “Coming Full Circle: Addressing Perceptions and Cultural Beliefs of Maternal Dietary Practices, Weight Gain and Breastfeeding for Birth Spacing from Pregnancy to Postpartum in Egypt”. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 5 (5) (Special issue). 2015
Kavle J. Mehanna S. Saleh G. Foad M. Ramzy M. Hamed D Hassan M. Khan G. Galloway R. “Exploring why junk foods are ‘essential’ foods and how culturally tailored recommendations improved feeding in Egyptian children”. Maternal & Child Nutrition. Dec. 2014. 11(3)

Reports, Policy Briefs, and Editorial Work

Advancing Equity for Muslim Physicians in the Healthcare Workforce. Initiative on Islam and Medicine, 2022.
The US End FGM/C Network, Equality Now, End FGM European Network “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Call for A Global Response” Mar. 17th, 2020. New York, NY
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) and End FGM European Network “Mental Health and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Recommendations for Accelerating Action in Research, Programs and Policy” Jan, 2020. Washington DC
The US End FGM/C Network “U.S. Foreign Policy Can And Should Address Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)”. Oct. 2019. Washington DC
Kavle J. Mehanna S. Khan G. Hassan M., Saleh G. Galloway R. Cultural Beliefs and Perceptions of Maternal Diet, Weight Gain During Pregnancy, Birth Spacing, and Family Planning in Egypt. April 2014. United States Agency for International Development
Kavle J. Mehanna S. Khan G. Hassan M., Saleh G. Galloway R. Examining Factors Associated with Stunting in Lower Egypt in Comparison to Upper Egypt: Bridging the gap between cultural beliefs and feasible feeding practices through Trials for Improved Practices (TIPs). April 2014. United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 2010. Report to Congress on Health-Related Research and Development Activities. Washington, DC

Op-Eds, News Articles, and Blog Posts

Dobbs heightens the moral imperative to close Medicaid coverage gaps, The Hill, July 2022
National Faith Leaders Push for Medicaid Expansion and Black Maternal Health Investments in Budget Reconciliation. Network Lobby, June 2022
It’s All About Health for Women and Girls: Ghada Khan on Ending FGM, Philanthropy Women, July 2019
Seven American States Have Criminalized FGM This Year, The Economist, May 2019
Female Genital Mutilation Occurs in the United States, Voice Of America, Feb 2019
GWSPH Researcher Presents on Women’s Health at APHA Annual Meeting. GWSPH, Nov, 2017