Nathan L. Delafield, M.D.

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SUMMARY

Nathan L. Delafield, M.D., researches the social determinants of health (SDoH), the equities and disparities in health and community engagement research.

Focus areas

• Social determinants of health. Dr. Delafield explores new strategies to improve SDoH-related factors that negatively impact people's health outcomes.
• Health equity. Dr. Delafield implements strategies that improve equitable access to healthcare.
• Health disparities. Dr. Delafield discovers and explores healthcare disparities. He researches the root causes of these disparities and implements new solutions.
• Community engagement research. Dr. Delafield explores strategies to meaningfully engage community members and organizations to participate in and implement research design. This engagement improves community health.

Significance to patient care

The impact of this research on health inequity is significant : 50% to 80% of all diseases that people face is rooted in SDoH-related factors. Finding new solutions to SDoH will improve healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Improving health equity and exploring strategies to reduce healthcare disparities will extend this impact into traditionally marginalized communities. Community engagement research is critical to the success of any community-facing initiatives.

Professional highlights

• Associate chair of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
• Associate program director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2022-present.
• Executive board member, Vitalyst Health Foundation, 2021-present.
• Community Health Assessment and Improvement Measures Program Award, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
• Educator of the Year, Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2023.