Sneha Challa, PhD, MPH

Sneha Challa is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Challa obtained her PhD in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University. She obtained her MPH from the University of Michigan in Health Behavior and Health Education with a concentration in Global Health. Her research interests include studying the impact of gender norms on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This interest is inspired by the women in her life who fought to overcome traditional gender norms to achieve their educational, professional, and health goals. In her work she aims to mitigate stigma and create an enabling environment for people to freely discuss and make choices about sex, contraception, and reproductive wellbeing throughout the life course. Dr. Challa's current work focuses improving: 1) person-centered, rights-based measurement in SRH, 2) SRH access for women navigating the menopausal transition, and 3) representation of South Asians in SRH research in the US. Dr. Challa has conducted work in Ghana, Niger, Uganda, Nigeria, and the US to understand normative and interpersonal influences on SRH.