Research

A young man with red hair, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, speaking at a podium during a presentation at a university event.

Research Focus

Econometric and epidemiologic methods

Transgender and intersex health equity

Medicare and Medicaid policy

Chronic disease, HIV care, and mental health

Intersectional analysis, researching with communities

You can download my full CV here (PDF) or explore selected highlights below.

Publications

Peer-reviewed Publications

  1. Babbs G, Dai D, Boskey ER, Balkan E, Hughto JMW. Challenges and Best Practices Using Claims Data to Study Gender-Affirming Surgery in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Populations. Accepted at American Journal of Public Health.

  2. Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Shireman TI, Hughes LD, Meyers DJ. Chronic Conditions and Healthcare Utilization Between Transgender and Cisgender Medicare Beneficiaries in 2011–2020. Accepted at Transgender Health.

  3. Stetten NE, Kelly PJA, Shireman TI, Balkan E, Babbs G, Alpert AB, Wolfe HL, Meyers DJ, Hughto JMW. Understanding Provider Treatment Approaches for the Provision of Gender-Affirming Hormones in the Current US Political Climate. Accepted at American Journal of Public Health.

  4. Balkan E, Babbs G, Meyers DJ, Kelly PJA, Yee K, Pletta DR, Shireman TI, Alpert AB, Hughto JMW. Estimates of Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Medicare Beneficiaries. JAMA Network Open. 2025; 8(5). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.8072

  5. Hughto JMW, Varma H, Yee K, Babbs G, Hughes LD, Pletta DR, Meyers DJ, Shireman TI. Characterizing Disparities in the HIV Care Continuum Among Transgender and Cisgender Medicare Beneficiaries. AIDS Care. 2025; 37(3). DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2025.2453831

  6. Babbs G*, Mulcahy A*, Ellison J, Varma H, Pletta DR, Yee K, Hughes LD, Shireman TI, Hughto JMW. Chronic Conditions Among Transgender Medicare Beneficiaries: Variation by Race/Ethnicity and Medicaid Dual-Enrollment, Disability, and Health. Disability and Health Journal. 2025; 18(2). DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101764

  7. Babbs G*, Alpert AB*, Sanaeikia R, Ellison J, Hughes L, Herington, Dembroff R. Doing Justice: Ethical Considerations Identifying and Researching Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Insurance Claims Data. Journal of Medical Systems. 2024; 48(96). DOI: 10.1007/s10916-024-02111

  8. Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Shireman TI, Meyers DJ. Emergency Department Use Among Transgender and Cisgender Medicare Beneficiaries in 2011–2020. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2024 Feb 12; DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.8209

  9. Babbs G, Weber S, Abdalla S, Cesare N, Nsoesie EO. Use of Machine Learning Methods to Understand Discussions of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting on Social Media. PLOS Global Health. 2023; 3(7):e0000878. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000878

  10. Hughto JMW, Varma H, Babbs G, Yee K, Alpert A, Hughes L, Ellison J, Downing J, Shireman TI. Disparities in Health Condition Diagnoses Among Aging Transgender and Cisgender Medicare Beneficiaries, 2008–2017. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2023 Mar 13; 14. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1102348

  11. Babbs G, Raifman JR, Wolfe HL, Lipson SK. Sexual and Gender Minority University Students Report Distress Due to Discriminatory Health Care Policies. Stigma and Health. 2023. DOI: 10.1037/sah0000459

In Preparation

  1. Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Trivedi AN, Meyers DJ. Quality Disparities in Chronic Disease Care Between Cisgender and Transgender Medicare Beneficiaries.

  2. Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Trivedi AN, Meyers DJ. The Effect of Provider Experience With Transgender Patients on Quality Disparities Among Transgender Medicare Beneficiaries.

  3. Babbs G, Skaggs C, Grimstad FW, Baratz AB, Saenz A, Davies A, Hughto JMW, Meyers DJ. Exploring Chronic Disease in Intersex Populations: A Novel Approach to Studying an Underserved Population.

  4. Babbs G, Bilinski A. Health Sciences Have a Replicability Problem. (Invited perspective for JAMA Internal Medicine)

  5. Thompson KD, Santostefano CM, Lee Y, Babbs G, Rahman M, Wilson IB, Galárraga O, Shireman TI. Medicaid Prescription Cap Policies Have Little-to-No Effect on Cardiovascular Medication Adherence Among Persons Living With HIV and Cardiovascular Disease.

  6. Stanley BJ, Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Meyers DJ. Mental Health Therapy Utilization Among Transgender Medicare Beneficiaries, 2011–2019.

  7. Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Varma H, Yee K, Meyers DJ, Shireman TI. Disparities in the HIV Care Continuum Among Transgender and Cisgender Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Under Review

  1. Milando CW, Polka E, Grady ST, Brand C, Mueller SC, Handricken K, Babbs G, Canate T, Sinha A, Friedman A, Senier L, Heiger-Bernays W, Fabian MP, Schlezinger JJ, Scammell MK. Communication Recovery in the Classroom: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Pilot Program.

  2. Babbs G, Offiaeli K, Hughto JMW, Hughes LD, Shireman TI, Meyers DJ. Cardiovascular Health Disparities at the Intersection of Race and Gender Modality in Medicare: Insights From a Quantitative Intersectional Study. (Post-revision at JAMA Health Forum)

  3. Moyo Dow P, Babbs G, Hughto JMW, Galárraga O, Shireman TI. Trends in Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder by Medicaid Enrollees in States With and Without Medicaid Prescription Cap Policies, 2006–2021.

  4. Babbs G*, Breslow AS*, Cavic E, Thomas I, Progovac AM, Restar A, Sims GM, Zelaya DG, Hanna DB, Datta D, Reopell R, Golub S, Alpert J, Cook BL, Garrett-Walker J. The Trans Care Paradox: Mental Health Disparities Among Transgender and Nonbinary Patients in a Trans-Protective Environment.

  5. Babbs G*, Breslow AS*, Cavic E, Thomas I, Gibaldi I, Progovac AM, Restar A, Sims GM, Alpert J, Cook BL, Fiori KP, Levano S, Chambers EC. Disparities in Documented Screening and Odds for Health-Related Social Needs Among Transgender Patients in an Urban Safety-Net Healthcare System.

  6. Koma JW, Khong K, Freitas Dias A, Babbs G, Rosenthal M, Charlton B, Huskamp HA, McDowell A, Fung V. Unmet Mental Health Need and Barriers to Care Among Transgender and Cisgender Adults.