Paula M. Lantz

Paula M. Lantz, is a Professor Emerita of Public Policy and Health Management and Policy.  Lantz, a social demographer/social epidemiologist, studies the role of public policy in improving population health and reducing social disparities in health. Lantz is currently engaged in research regarding abortion policy, housing policy, and how health care systems and insurance plans (including Medicaid) are attempting to address patient social needs.  An elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the National Academy of Medicine, Lantz received an MA in sociology from Washington University, St. Louis, and an MS in epidemiology and PhD in sociology with a focus on social demography from the University of Wisconsin.

Educational background

• PhD in sociology, University of Wisconsin, 1991
• MS in epidemiology, University of Wisconsin, 1991
• MA in sociology, Washington University, 1983
• BA in sociology/English, St. Olaf College, 1981

Professional affiliations

• National Academy of Social Insurance, elected member
• National Academy of Medicine, elected member

Current research

• Analytic methods
• Gender Race and Ethnicity
• Leadership
• Health
• Poverty and Social Policy
• Social Demography
• Medicaid

Recent publications

• Lantz PM.  Conducting Research in the New Abortion Care Policy Landscape.  JAMA Network Open. 2024; 7(8).
• Lantz PM, Carter E.  State bans on “divisive concepts” in public higher education:  Implications for population health.  Milbank Quarterly, April 2024.
• Lantz PM, Carter E.  Direct democracy and population health:  Health policymaking through state ballot initiatives.  Health Affairs, September, 2024.
• Lantz PM. The off-ramp from COVID-19 public health emergency orders: Are we on a road forward or a U-turn? Milbank Quarterly. June 7, 2023.
• Lantz PM, Goldberg D, Gollust SA. The perils of medicalization for population health and health equity. Milbank Quarterly. 2023; 101(S1).
• Lantz PM, Michelmore K, Moniz MH, Mmeje O, Axinn W, Spector-Bagdady K. Abortion policy in the United States: The new legal landscape and its threats to health and socioeconomic well-being. Milbank Quarterly. 2023; 101(S1).

Open online course

Fundamentals of Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R

Gain a foundational understanding of key terms and concepts in public administration and public policy while learning foundational programming techniques using the R programming language.

Take the course