Sara Casey, DrPH

  • Assistant Professor of Population and Family Health at the Columbia University Medical Center

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Overview

Sara Casey, DrPH, has spent the past 20 years working to improve the availability and quality of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in countries whose health systems have been weakened by war or natural disaster. She works with governmental and non-governmental partners to establish program monitoring and evaluation systems and conduct implementation research. She is a pioneer in conducting research and implementation science on contraceptive and abortion-related services in humanitarian settings in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.  Dr. Casey is Director of the Reproductive Health Access, Information and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative, a global program collaborating with program partners to identify and respond to challenges to improve SRHR in humanitarian settings globally. 

Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor of Population and Family Health at the Columbia University Medical Center

Administrative Titles

  • Director, Reproductive Health Access, Information and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • DrPH, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
  • MPH, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
  • MIA, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
  • BA, Washington University in St. Louis

Committees, Societies, Councils

Steering Committee Member, Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises

Research

Research Interests

  • Global Health
  • Humanitarian Health
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Selected Publications

S E Casey, A Ngarmbatedjimal, T Varelis+, A Diarra+, T Kodjimadje, M Abdelaziz, V Djerambete, Y Miangotar, S Tamira, A Ndingayande, K Vourbane, R Madjigoto, S Luketa, VdP Allambademel. (2024) Sexual and reproductive health of Sudanese refugee girls in Chad: mixed methods study with perspectives from 12-19 year old girls, parents, and health workers. BMC Public Health 24, 3217. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20581-y.
A Ngarmbatedjimal, M Abdelaziz, VdP Allambademel, A Diarra+, V Djerambete, T Kodjimadje, S Luketa, R Madjigoto, Y Miangotar, A Ndingayande, S Tamira, T Varelis+, K Vourbane, S E Casey. (2024) Refugee women’s and providers’ perceptions of person-centered maternity care: a qualitative study in two refugee camps in Chad. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 24, 225 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06424-z
T Varelis+, VdP Allambademel, A Ngarmbatedjimal, A Ndingayande, A Diarra+, K Vourbane, R Madjigoto, S Luketa, S E Casey. (2024) Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors: A survey of 12–17 year old Sudanese refugees in Chad. PLOS Glob Public Health 4(1): e0002597. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002597
S M Perera, G P Isa, A Sebushishe, P Sundararaj+, M Piccirillo+, S Xia+, A Langaigne+, J Ali and S E Casey. (2023) "Midwives are heroes of the country": Qualitative evaluation of a midwifery education program in South Sudan. Front. Glob. Womens Health 4:1215405. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1215405
E Maistrellis, K Juma, A Khanal, G Kimemia, T McGovern, A C Midy+, M A Rakotondratsara, M R Ratsimbazafy, L Ravaoarisoa, M J J Razafimahatratra, A Tamang, J Tamang, B A Ushie, S E Casey. (2022). Beyond abortion: impacts of the expanded global gag rule in Kenya, Madagascar and Nepal. BMJ Global Health;7:e008752. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008752.
S E Casey, G P Isa, E I Mazambi, M M Giuffrida+, M J Kulkarni+ & S M Perera (2021). Community perceptions of the impact of war on unintended pregnancy and induced abortion in Protection of Civilian sites in Juba, South Sudan, Global Public Health, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1959939 https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2021.1959939
L Ravaoarisoa, M J J Razafimahatratra, M A Rakotondratsara, N Gaspard+, M R Ratsimbazafy, J F Rafamantanantsoa, V Ramanantsoa, M Schaaf, A C Midy+, S E Casey (2020). Slowing progress: the US Global Gag Rule undermines access to contraception in Madagascar, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 28:3, https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2020.1838053
B A Ushie, K Juma, G Kimemia, M Magee+, E Maistrellis, T McGovern, S E Casey (2020). Foreign Assistance or Attack? Impact of the Expanded Global Gag Rule on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Kenya. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters 28:3. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2020.1794412
S E Casey, M C Gallagher, E F Dumas, J Kakesa, J M Katsongo, J B Muselemu (2019). Meeting the demand of women affected by ongoing crisis: increasing contraceptive prevalence in North and South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS ONE 14(7): e0219990. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219990
S E Casey, V J Steven+, J Deitch+, E F Dumas, M C Gallagher, S Martinez+, C N Morris, R V Rafanoharana, E Wheeler (2019). “You must first save her life”: Community perceptions towards induced abortion and post abortion care in North and South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 27:1. https://doi.org/10.1080/09688080.2019.1571309

For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov

Global Health Activities

Reproductive Health Access, Information and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative

RAISE catalyzes change in how sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is addressed in humanitarian settings. We work by applying the power of cooperative partnerships and adhering to the public health principles of equity and evidence-based practice. RAISE is a pioneer in collaborating with partners to identify and respond to challenges to improve SRH services in humanitarian settings. We have been in the forefront of strengthening SRH capacity and ensuring people living in humanitarian settings have high quality SRH services. Our work has provided an evidence base for, and been used to improve, SRHR in humanitarian settings.

Recent programs include:
  • Partner with International Rescue Committee and University of N'Djamena to conduct action research to improve access to and use of SRHR services in Chad
  • Partner with International Medical Corps (IMC) to assess the strengths and weakness of IMC-supported midwifery education in South Sudan