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Welcome to the Official Site of The Attachment and Health Disparities Lab at NYU’s School of Global Public Health
Our research explores the psychosocial pathways that link stress, social determinants of health, and health outcomes, with a particular focus on potential vulnerable populations. We examine how both structural and individual stressors affect mental and physical health across the lifespan. Our work spans both virtual and physical environments, investigating how these stressors shape health behaviors and overall well-being.
We also explore the role of close relationships in either exacerbating or buffering the negative effects of stress, particularly for individuals facing multiple layers of marginalization. By understanding these complex dynamics, our lab aims to identify the pathways that contribute to health disparities and to develop strategies for reducing inequities in health outcomes.
Watch Dr. Cook’s Conversation with I Am GPH
EP161 The Science of Stress: How Social Bonds Can Protect Your Health with Dr. Stephanie Cook
Feb 27, 2025
In this episode we speak with Dr. Stephanie Cook, Associate Professor and Director of the Attachment and Health Disparities Research Lab, about the science behind minority stress and resilience. She explains how stress manifests biologically through cortisol regulation, why chronic exposure to social discrimination dysregulates the body’s stress response, and how public health research is using biomarkers like saliva and hair samples to measure these effects. Dr. Cook also highlights the power of close relationships in buffering stress, discusses her ongoing 30-day stress tracking study, and reveals how policymakers can use physiological data to drive systemic change.