Research
Our research is focused on promoting health equity and improving the representation of marginalized communities in the academic literature. Guided by the principles of community-based participatory research and cultural humility, we partner with community members throughout the research process.
We recognize the critical role research plays in shaping academic discourse and guiding program development. Through mixed-methods research, program evaluation, and educational scholarship, we aim to produce evidence that drives equitable care delivery, supports sustainable community health programs, and amplifies refugee voices in academic medicine.
Goals
Advance health equity by identifying structural, cultural, and systemic barriers to health care access for refugee communities, including Afghan refugees.
Design, implement, and evaluate culturally concordant, community-informed interventions that improve health outcomes and patient experience.
Strengthen pathways into health professions by supporting and studying mentorship and pipeline programs for immigrant students.
Share research findings broadly to inform clinical practice, education, policy, funding priorities, and community-based programming.
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
Kandahari, N., Kayhani, N., Moulana Zada, F., et al. Health and Health Care Access Among Afghan Refugee Women in the United States. JAMA Network Open. 2026;9(8):e2627727. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.27727
Kandahari, N., Kayhani, N., Moulana Zada, F., & Chandy, A. Building A Culturally Concordant Mentorship Program for Immigrant Premedical Students. Journal of Surgical Education. 2025. Link.
Conferences and Academic Presentations:
Afghan Clinic regularly shares its work at academic conferences, grand rounds, and community forums. We welcome opportunities for collaboration, invited talks, and joint research initiatives.
Kayhani, N. Recruiting a Diverse Workforce: The Afghan Clinic Pre-Medical Mentorship Program. Poster Presented at 2024 APHA Conference; October 2024.
Moulana Zada, F, Kayhani, N. The Afghan Clinic Pre-Medical Mentorship Program: Evaluation of a Community-Built Program to Promote Health Equity and Diversity in Medicine. Poster Presented at 2024 AMWA Conference; March 2024.
Kandahari, N., Kayhani. Afghan Clinic: Barriers to Health for Afghan Refugees & How We Can Address Them. UCSF Family Community Medicine Grand Rounds. 2022. Link.
Kayhani, N. Health and Healthcare Access Issues Among Forcibly Displaced Afghan Immigrant Women in the U.S. Oral Presentation at 2021 APHA Conference.