Health | The Kinder Institute for Urban Research

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

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Did cash incentives move the needle on COVID-19 vaccinations in Harris County?

After over a month of incentive programs, outreach efforts, public pressure and mounting fears around the more virulent COVID-19 Delta variant, Harris County has tens of thousands more newly vaccinated people than it did over a month ago. But despite millions spent on incentive programs, uptake is slowing.

COVID-19 and Cities, Health

Mapping project brings Houston’s flood, environmental hazards into clear view

A flood on its own can be disastrous. But floodwaters combined with decades-old toxic waste sites and releases of potentially cancer-causing chemicals—that’s dangerous. Unfortunately, heightened flood risks are unevenly dispersed throughout Harris County.

Health, Hurricane Harvey, Urban Disparity

Without mask mandates, Texas undermines school districts' efforts to undo pandemic learning gaps

The Texas Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates means the state has officially told public schools to start the 2021-2022 school year as if the COVID-19 pandemic never happened. More correctly, as if it was still not happening. Others have already pointed to the health risks posed by not having a mask mandate in place at schools, and schools around the Houston area have already had to close because of outbreaks. But beyond the dangers posed to the health of students, staff, and families, the state’s approach is undermining schools’ ability to accelerate students’ learning and close gaps created and compounded over the past 18 months.

Perspective

: Aug 30, 2021

COVID-19 and Cities, Education, Health

Latest Research

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2021 Results

For the past four decades, Rice University’s Kinder Houston Area Survey (KHAS) has been tracking the changing attitudes and beliefs of Harris County residents. The 2021 survey summarizes the most consequential changes and their implications for public policy initiatives going forward.

Report: May 11, 2021

COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation

A Bottom-Up Infrastructure Strategy for American Renewal

This report identifies infrastructure priorities identified by local and regional leaders around the nation. Conclusions provide an important set of guideposts about priorities the new administration should take into account in crafting a national infrastructure strategy.

Report: Feb 10, 2021

COVID-19 and Cities, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Transportation, Urban Planning

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

Experts

Katherine Bennett Ensor

Kinder Fellow
Director, Kinder Institute Urban Data Platform
Noah G. Harding Professor of Statistics
Rice University

713-348-4132

Loren Hopkins

Kinder Fellow
Chief Environmental Science Officer, Houston Health Department
Professor in the Practice, Statistics, Rice University

Profile

Rachel Kimbro

Dean, School of Social Sciences Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences
Kinder Fellow
Professor of Sociology
Founding Director, Kinder Institute Urban Health Program
Rice University

rtkimbro@rice.edu

713-348-4265

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

tnbrown@rice.edu

713-348-3242