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

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Frequent crises have shown us the power of solidarity. The city needs that strength now.

The economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak coupled with the pandemic being politicized by some will challenge the feelings of solidarity and trust that have been building in Houston in recent years. It’s important to remember the city and surrounding region’s ability to unite in the face of disaster.

Houston skyline
Kinder Institute Research
: May 21, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Education, Governance, Health, Hurricane Harvey, Urban Disparity

In Houston, the new normal should include more efforts to reduce air pollution

Stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 resulted in Houstonians driving a lot less. But Houston hasn’t stopped being an industrial city during the pandemic, which shows why reducing all air pollution is key to protecting public health.

photo illustration KHAS Houston air quality
News Story
: May 19, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Health, Housing, Urban Disparity

Snapshot taken of Houston just before pandemic shows the inequalities COVID-19 would exploit

Interviews for the 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey were conducted just before the world was upended. The results of the survey reflect the existing disparities in health care and economics that the COVID-19 outbreak has underscored and exacerbated. 

Inequalities in Houston revealed in 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey
Kinder Institute Research
: May 18, 2020
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity

Latest Research

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.