Hala Madanat, PhD

Dr. Hala Madanat is an assistant professor of health promotion at San Diego State University. She is a medical sociologist with a strong interest in the role of culture, traditions, and western influence on health in the global setting. Her research focuses on the impact of westernization on diet and nutrition, with an emphasis on US immigrant populations. She is currently working on developing nutrition education programs for US immigrant populations in San Diego, especially with those from the Middle East.

As SDPRC Training and Education Director, Dr. Madanat is involved in developing and giving trainings to California Department of Public Health personnel on such topics as self efficacy and community based participatory research. She also leads the organization and development of the SDPRC’s annual training conference for students, community health workers/promotoras, community organization staff, and academics on obesity prevention in Latino communities.