Dhruv Khurana, Ph.D., is a professor in the Health Policy and Management Department at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

His most impactful work involves designing, implementing, and evaluating the groundbreaking Whole PERSON Health Score. This holistic assessment tool empowers care teams to execute timely, targeted interventions by quantifying and highlighting Social Determinants of Health. The paper was honored as the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst Editors’ Pick of the Year 2022 and recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their Science-in-Action brief.

Previously, he worked as a Senior Economist at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, driven by a fervent commitment to transforming healthcare through innovative interventions and promoting equity. At UCLA, Dr. Khurana’s research is geared toward evaluating the impact of pivotal SUD healthcare policies. His investigations delve into the transformative effects of initiatives like the CA 1115/DMC-ODS waiver, Naloxone Distribution Program, and Recovery Incentives, focusing on their implications for overdose rates, overdose deaths, and treatment access for marginalized populations.

The core of his research is focused on policy implications for underserved communities, including racial/ethnic minorities and individuals of diverse sexual orientations.

Owing to his multidisciplinary background and training, he was recognized as a “Diversity Scholar” by the American Society of Health Economists (ASHE) in 2020. In addition, he has been recognized as the “Most Valued Professor” for three consecutive years by the California State University.

He holds a Ph.D. in Economics, specializing in Health Economics and Econometrics, and an M.A. in Economics, with a concentration in Behavioral and Neuroeconomics, both from Claremont Graduate University and an M.S. in Finance from the London School of Economics.