University of Southern California · Social ScienceThe Healthy Habitat Lab
Ashlesha Datar · Los Angeles, California
Research Focus
Dr. Ashlesha Datar's research lab focuses on understanding how changes in environment, particularly in public housing settings, can impact obesity rates among disadvantaged communities. By studying the redevelopment of the Jordan Downs public housing in Los Angeles, the lab aims to uncover how improvements in living conditions affect residents' health behaviors and weight. The research is particularly relevant as it addresses the rising obesity epidemic in low-income populations through natural experiments and community partnerships.
obesitypublic housingneighborhood revitalizationcommunity healthnatural experiment
Research Aims
3AIM 01Examine the redevelopment's impact on residents' obesity during ongoing changes.
AIM 02Evaluate behavioral changes linked to the redevelopment over time.
AIM 03Investigate how building design and resident composition affect obesity-related behaviors.
Skills the Lab Values
data collectioncohort studieslongitudinal analysiscommunity engagementstatistical analysis
Output against the department
Publications108bottom 40% of dept.46th of 77
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.8ktop 44% of dept.34th of 77
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.