Kaleigh is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Human Development and Family Sciences department at the University of Connecticut studying Gerontology. She completed her Masters’ degree at UConn and holds a Bachelor’s in Public Health from the University of Saint Joseph. 

Her research interests focus on social determinants of health and disease, living with chronic conditions and spatial disparities among rural older adults.

Upon graduation from her doctoral program, Kaleigh plans to pursue a career focused on health services research. Kaleigh is currently AcademyHealth's Public Policy Fellow.

Authored by Kaleigh Ligus, M.A.

Blog Post

The present and future of rural America’s hospitals

Rural health care systems have seen dramatic shifts in recent decades. This ‘plain language summary’ reviews recent research published in AcademyHealth’s official journal, HSR, which addresses the current state of rural hospitals and how new investments can prevent ongoing health disparities and reinvigorate the health of rural Americans.
Posted By Kaleigh Ligus, M.A.
Topics HSR Resources & Methods Translation, Dissemination & Implementation Hospitals & Health Systems
Blog Post

Medicaid expansion increased total physician visits but failed to bring in new physicians in early expansion states

The Affordable Care Act enacted Medicaid expansion with hopes that more states would provide health insurance to low-income Americans. This ‘plain language summary’ reviews recent research published in AcademyHealth’s official journal HSR which shows that early Medicaid expansion in six states led to an increase in the total number of physician visits but did not lead to an increase in total physician participation.
Posted By Kaleigh Ligus, M.A.
Topics HSR Resources & Methods Translation, Dissemination & Implementation Insurance, Medicare & Medicaid
Blog Post

Medicare Advantage improves patient-centered care efficiency for older beneficiaries

New research indicates Medicare Advantage enrollment provides favorable outcomes over traditional Medicare for those with mental health issues and those at end-of-life, indicating a high efficiency of care aligning with beneficiaries’ preferences. This ‘plain language summary’ reviews recent research published in AcademyHealth's official journal, HSR, which addresses the role of Medicare Advantage in mental health care and end-of-life outcomes for older adults.
Posted By Kaleigh Ligus, M.A.
Topics HSR Resources & Methods Translation, Dissemination & Implementation Insurance, Medicare & Medicaid