Kristine A. Siefert

Edith S. Gomberg Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work

Kristine Siefert’s research focuses on identifying modifiable social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of health, with an emphasis on addressing socioeconomic and racial/ethnic health disparities.

Siefert joined the faculty in of the School of Social Work in 1979. She held the Edith S. Gomberg Collegiate Professorship in Social Work from 2007 until her retirement in 2012. She also served as associate dean for academic affairs and assistant dean for research.

In 2003, a survey published in Social Work Research named her one of the most influential researchers in social work. In 2012, she was named a trailblazer in public health social work by the Public Health Social Work Section of the American Public Health Association.

Research Interests

Racial/ethnic health disparities, poverty, food insecurity, pregnancy outcome, maternal depression

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

  • [email protected]

  • 4668 SSWB
    University of Michigan
    School of Social Work
    1080 S. University
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

  • 1980 PhD Social Work
    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
  • 1979 MPH Maternal and Child Health
    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
  • 1975 MSW Social Work
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • 1972 AB English
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Activities

Publications

Sohrsdahl, K., Slopen, N., Siefert, K., Seedat, S., Stein, D. J., & Williams, D. R. (2011). Household food insufficiency and mental health in South Africa. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 65, 426-431.
Watkins, D. C., Hudson, D. L., Caldwell, C. H., Siefert, K., & Jackson, J. S. (2011). Discrimination, mastery, and depressive symptoms among African American men. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), 269-277.
Finlayson, T., Williams, D. R., Siefert, K., Jackson, J. S., & Nowjack-Raymer, R. (2010). Oral health disparities and psychosocial correlates of self-rated oral health in the National Survey of American Life. American Journal of Public Health, 100(S1), S246-255.
Ranjit, N., Siefert, K., & Padmanabhan, V. (2010). Bisphenol-A and disparities in birth outcomes: A review and directions for future research. Journal of Perinatology, 30(1), 2-9.
Gavin, A., Holzman, C., Siefert, K., & Tian, Y. (2009). Maternal depressive symptoms, depression and psychiatric medication use in relation to risk of preterm delivery. Women's Health Issues, 19, 325-334.
Xu, X., Grigorescu, V., Siefert, K., Lori, J., & Ransom, S. B. (2009). Cost of racial disparity in the rate of preterm birth: Evidence from Michigan. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 20(3), 729-747.
Xu, X., Siefert, K., Jacobson, P. D., Lori, J. R., & Ransom, S. B. (2009). Malpractice burden, rural location, and discontinuation of obstetric care: A study of obstetric providers in Michigan. Journal of Rural Health, 25(1), 33-42.
Xu, X., Siefert, K., Jacobson, P. D., Lori, J. R., & Ransom, S. B. (2008). The impact of malpractice burden on Michigan obstetrician-gynecologists' career satisfaction. Women's Health Issues, 18(4), 229-237.
Xu, X., Lori, J. R., Siefert, K., Jacobson, P. D., & Ransom, S. B. (2008). Malpractice liability burden in midwifery: A survey of Michigan certified nurse-midwives. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 53(1), 19-27.
Xu, X., Siefert, K., Jacobson, P. D., Lori, J. R., & Ransom, S. B. (2008). The effects of medical liability on obstetric care supply in Michigan. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 198(2), 205.e1-9.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2012 Named Public Health Social Work Trailblazer
American Public Health Association
2007 Awarded University Collegiate Professorship, The University of Michigan
2003 Named one of the most influential researchers in social work, Social Work Research 27(2): 105-115
2001 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award, The University of Michigan
2001 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award, The University of Michigan
1996 Career Development Award for Women Faculty, The University of Michigan
1977-1979 National Institute of Mental Health Predoctoral Fellow
1977-1979 National Institute of Mental Health Predoctoral Fellow

Presentations

Year Description
2007 Padmanabhan, V., Siefert, K., Anderson, E., Pinkerton, J., Ransom, S., Tao, L., et al. (2007, July). Maternal Serum Bisphenol A concentrations: An environmental risk for fetal well-being? Presented at the XI Congress of International Toxicology, Montreal.
2007 Siefert, K. (2007, June). Poverty, discrimination, and African American women's mental health. Invited. Presented at Health Disparities to Health Equity: Pathways to Solutions, Second Annual Texas Conference on Health Disparities, Fort Worth, TX.
2006 Xu, X., Siefert, K., Lori, J., Jacobson, P., Gueorguieva, I., & Ransom, S. B. (2006, November). Providers' medical liability concerns: Will it exacerbate disparities in birth outcomes? Presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
2005 Finlayson, T., Siefert, K., & Ismail, A. (2005, December). Social, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of young children's oral health in Detroit. Presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
2005 Finlayson, T., Siefert, K., & Ismail, A. (2005, May). Social, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of young children's oral health in Detroit. Presented at the National Oral Health Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Courses

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2015 007 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2014 002 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2013 003 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2012 003 08:30 am 04:30 pm View Course
Human Differences, Social Relationships, Well-Being, & Change Through the Life Course Siefert, Kristine A. Fall 2011 002 08:00 am 11:00 am View Course
Racial, Ethnic and Gender Issues in Intervention Siefert, Kristine A. Fall 2011 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Independent Studies: Health Spring / Summer 2011 175 12:00 am 12:00 am View Course
Social Work Practice in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2011 001 08:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Siefert, Kristine A. Spring / Summer 2011 004 08:30 am 04:30 pm View Course
Human Differences, Social Relationships, Well-Being, & Change Through the Life Course Siefert, Kristine A. Fall 2010 002 08:00 am 11:00 am View Course