Hannah E. Hardy, PhD, MPA
Public Health Leader | Aging Services Innovator | Community Engagement Scholar
I work at the intersection of public health, aging services, and community systems to improve population health and advance health equity.
Professional Focus
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Aging Services Innovation
Advancing programs and policy that support older adults in living healthy, independent lives in their communities.
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Research & Teaching
Scholarship and teaching focused on community engagement, urban health, and interdisciplinary approaches to public health.
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Public Health Leadership
Leadership in government public health programs focused on chronic disease prevention, injury prevention, and health equity.
Personal Statement
About Me
I'm passionate about understanding and improving community health through the lens of population dynamics, development, and investment patterns.
Current Focus
Applying a population health lens to the delivery of aging services in Allegheny County. This work combines my passion for community development with a data-driven approach to improving health outcomes.
Philosophy
I believe in the power of place and community. My goal is to leverage my diverse experience and interdisciplinary approach to address inequity and improve community health.
Professional Journey
My career path has been diverse and interconnected. I have experience in the following areas.
Community Development: Early work focused on urban revitalization.
Environmental Projects: Led initiatives like the Steel Valley Trail development.
Public Health: Projects to reduce racial health disparities in Allegheny County.
Human Services: Currently managing the internal systems for Aging Services.
Education
Undergraduate thesis on gentrification and community change. Dissertation on deindustrialization and impacts on public health.
Core Competencies
Experience & Research
Professional experience and research capacity in the fields of community development, public health, and public policy in non-profit, local government, and academic settings. Expertise at applying anti-racism approaches in community-based settings, chronic disease prevention, and public health.
Systems Thinker
Systems thinker who is passionate about bringing diverse groups of people together to improve health and social outcomes through systems change. Strong working and applied knowledge about the social determinants of health and public health strategies that are known to impact upstream factors.
Manager, Convener, Educator
High-performance manager, convener, and educator with extensive experience initiating, managing, and growing a wide variety of successful programs focusing on public health, community engagement, and social justice.