Stephen Modell MD, MS

Stephen M. Modell has served 35 years in academic public health. He has been the Research and Dissemination Activities Director of the Center for Public Health and Community Genomics at the University of Michigan since 2001. The Center promotes the integration of genomic discoveries into public health practice with the goals of improving health and reducing health disparities. Prior to his current position, he was research director in genetics policy for the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Modell’s research is focused on cancer screening and genetic testing for the marginalized. His various writings address trends since the advent of the Affordable Care Act and under Medicaid Expansion. He is currently compiling information on policy options to alleviate access disparities. He has published on precision health from both clinical and public health points of view, taking into account developments from the U.S. All of Us Research Program. Electronic Health Information Exchanges linking data stored by multiple sources and communication of cancer information on the Internet are an additional interest area. These research interests are reflected in his various policy leadership roles with the American Public Health Association, most recently as Co-Chair of the APHA Joint Policy Committee. He is a guest editor of a Healthcare Special Issue on policy interventions to promote health and prevent disease.

Dr. Modell has served as chief data analyst for numerous National Human Genome Research Institute- and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded projects – “A New Genomic Framework for Schools and Communities” employing both in-class and community action research projects; the 5-state “Midwest Community Genomics Forums”; “Research Community on Genetics and Racial/Ethnic Identity”; and “Communities of Color and Genetics Policy” Project. He uses mixed methods to evaluate such projects. Dr. Modell developed a novel technique of analyzing scientists’ and religious leaders’ statements on genetic applications through pairing them into duets. Conditions of interest include breast and colorectal cancer, the long QT family of cardiac channelopathies, and coronary heart disease. He is co-author of Chapter 8 on genomic determinants of health in the 16th edition of Maxcy-Rosenau-Last, Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Stephen Modell has a keen interest in the societal implications of health interventions. He has written extensively on the benefits of participatory dialogue to resolve differing points of view and sets of values in the application of genetic technologies. His writings in this space consider the rights and viewpoints of religious and racial-ethnic groups. Along philosophical lines he has applied a model of the human body using mathematical derivatives to the operation of temporal processes. His article in The European Legacy on Aristotle’s influence on medical theory has garnered 12 citations on ResearchGate. Dr. Modell holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Stanford University. Other degrees include an M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio and a Master of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis, followed by certification in epidemiology, both from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.