FOCUS
Zong’s research is focused on examining the drivers of economic inequality and understanding the effects of social welfare programs. For example, he is currently studying the role of Medicaid in addressing the opioid epidemic, one of the worst drug crises in U.S. history. Federal spending disproportionately impacts the poor, and it is therefore critical to understand how the U.S. government can most efficiently fight poverty, a major barrier to health equity. Zong hopes that his research will help public officials form better, evidence-based decisions on the types of interventions to pursue.
MORE ABOUT ZONG
As a child of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Zong is passionate about poverty reduction and socioeconomic mobility. He is committed to the ideal that academic research can help advance policy solutions that build a more equitable and prosperous society.
