Jan Cooper

I study health services and policy reforms designed to create high-quality, user-centered health systems that improve population health. A central focus of my research is to improve women’s health outcomes, since women often face compounding disadvantages that obstruct their use of needed health services for themselves and their children. To address these challenges, I have designed and conducted experiments—particularly on cash transfer programs and on maternal health services —to enhance women’s health and economic well-being. In addition, I evaluate policy reforms, using experimental and quasi-experimental methods, to determine how best to organize health services that meet the needs of the population. My research is informed by over 15 years of interdisciplinary, field-based work within multi-center global research consortiums, including the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.