Research that's Changing the World
Debra Umberson is the first researcher to collect systematic data about the extent and timing of family member deaths in the U.S.; the unequal and earlier risk of losing a parent, child, sibling and spouse by race and ethnicity; and the profound consequences for the brain, the body and longevity. Her research has been instrumental in reframing bereavement as a public health concern, and her findings have been used to support policies and practices related to bereavement and care. Because of her efforts, bereavement leave is now available to U.S. service members, and policy makers have access to data on the prevalence of loss across various populations.
What Starts Here
Umberson, a centennial professor in the College of Liberal Arts, has spent her entire career at UT transforming the field of sociology. As former director of the renowned Population Research Center and current director of the Center on Aging and Population Sciences, she leads groundbreaking research on how social factors—such as relationships, race, gender, and sexual orientation—shape health outcomes. She has been cited more than 36,000 times in scientific literature.
Beyond the Forty Acres
Joyal Mulheron, Executive Director, Evermore: "We have moved the United States government toward addressing bereavement’s prevalence, societal implications, and unequal burden by invoking the pioneering research of Dr. Debra Umberson. I cannot overstate the importance and significance of Dr. Umberson’s research in advancing national policies and regulatory actions on behalf of millions of Americans, many of whom are tired, defeated, and often feel voiceless in the aftermath of their losses."
