Where the individual and policy collide, our health research and coverage seeks to document and improve.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Map of Houston area’s distressed and prosperous ZIP codes shows ongoing and growing inequality

Where you live determines to a great extent how much access you have to quality education, health care, housing, public services and more. More access correlates to better outcomes in life. One-third of the Black population and almost one-third of the Hispanic population of Texas live in an economically distressed community. The populations of the Houston area’s distressed ZIP codes predominantly are people of color.

Houston neighborhood
News Story
: Nov 5, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Health, Housing, Urban Disparity

Stay safe on Halloween with this color-coded map of COVID-19 risk levels by county

These are frightening times, but there are safe ways to celebrate Halloween this year. It’s important to follow the guidelines on hygiene and social distancing and know the risk of COVID-19 infection where you live. There’s even a color-coded map to help you assess the risk level by county.

Halloween emojis with masks COVID-19
Urban Edge: Oct 27, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Health

Does Atascocita really have the worst quality of life in America?

It depends on whom you ask, but according to one list, it does. Overall, suburban cities in the Houston area are affordable and economically healthy, but they don’t stack up well when it comes to education, health and quality of life.

A is for Atascocita
News Story
: Oct 25, 2020
Education, Health, Housing, Transportation

Latest Research

Texas Flood Registry 2020 Report

This report includes updates on Harvey’s long-term impact and recent findings about the health and housing effects of the May 2019 storms and Tropical Storm Imelda.
Report: Aug 25, 2020
Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2020 Results

For close to four decades, the Kinder Houston Area Survey has been tracking the changing attitudes and experiences of Houstonians.
Report: May 18, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Challenges of Social Sector Systemic Collaborations: What's Cookin' in Houston's Food Insecurity Space?

In this study, we seek to understand the nature of collaborations between organizations working in the food insecurity and food desert social spaces in Houston.
Food
Report: Mar 13, 2019
Health, Urban Disparity

Experts

Katherine B. Ensor

Katherine Bennett Ensor

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Director, Kinder Institute Urban Data Platform
  • Noah G. Harding Professor of Statistics
  • Rice University
713-348-4132
Profile
Head shot of Loren Raun

Loren Hopkins

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Chief Environmental Science Officer, Houston Health Department
  • Professor in the Practice, Statistics, Rice University
Profile
Head shot of Rachel Kimbro

Rachel Kimbro

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Professor of Sociology
  • Founding Director, Kinder Institute Urban Health Program
  • Rice University
713-348-4265
Profile
Head shot of Tony Brown

Tony N. Brown

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Professor of Sociology, Rice University
  • Associate Director, Kinder Institute’s Urban Health Program
  • Founding Director, Racism and Racial Experiences (RARE) Workgroup
713-348-3242
Profile

Related Initiatives

Urban Health Program

The program facilitates research, education and community outreach on urban health issues, broadly defined. It also brings together faculty and community affiliates from institutions across the Houston area who focus on the social determinants of health.