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

Latest Urban Edge Stories

How Houston has changed — and stayed the same — in the past 10 years

It’s been a decade since the Kinder Institute for Urban Research was formed at Rice University. During that time, a lot has changed at the institute and in the Houston metropolitan area. In 2020, the Urban Edge will feature a number of stories related to the 10-year anniversary of the institute. To kick things off, let's compare the Houston area of 2010 with the city today.

buffalo bayou park, skater in the East End and Hurricane Harvey
News Story
: Jan 7, 2020
Demographics, Health, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Transportation

Understanding Houston: Advocate for broader perspective on mental illness addresses stigmas

This is a part of a series connected to our partnership with the Greater Houston Community Foundation's regional project Understanding Houston. This story, and others, also appears on the Understanding Houston website.

Man with headache
Feature Story
: Dec 19, 2019
Health

Sunnyside survey shows neighborhood's social fabric is strong

Results from the recently released Sunnyside Strong survey reveal promising potential for revitalizing the predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Sunnyside and South Park in south-central Houston; though there’s still work to be done.

Sign that reads Welcome to Sunnyside
News Story
: Nov 25, 2019
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Health, Urban Planning

Latest Research

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 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
Head shot of Loren Raun

Loren Raun

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Chief Environmental Science Officer, Interim Bureau Chief, Bureau of Community and Children's Environmental Health, Houston Health Department
  • Assistant Professor of Statistics, Rice University
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.