Dhruv Khurana, Ph.D.

I study how health systems can identify, measure, and respond to unmet social needs, especially when traditional data systems make vulnerable populations administratively invisible.

My work combines applied econometrics, causal inference, behavioral economics, and implementation partnerships with safety-net health systems. I focus on whole-person care, social determinants of health, LGBTQ+/SOGI data equity, substance use disorder policy, and the design of practical tools that help organizations move from measurement to action.

A central focus of my work is the Whole PERSON Health Score (WPHS), a holistic assessment tool designed to help care teams identify patients’ comprehensive health and social needs and support timely, targeted interventions. This work was recognized as a New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst: Innovations in Care Delivery Editors’ Pick and featured in the CDC’s Science-in-Action brief.

I have contributed to more than $22 million in grants and contracts, partnering with Riverside County, the California Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public-sector and health-system partners. My work includes evaluations of California’s Naloxone Distribution Program, Recovery Incentives/Contingency Management, 1115 waiver initiatives, cannabis policy, and integrated service delivery.

I also teach health economics for UCLA’s executive EMPH and MHA programs and give public-facing talks on economics, game theory, negotiation, identity, and everyday decision-making.

Research areas: health economics; causal inference; medicaid; safety-net systems; SOGI data equity; whole-person care; substance use policy; behavioral economics; social determinants of health.