Ifrah "Iffy" Abshir
Health Services Research & Policy PhD Student
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
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Area of Emphasis: Health Policy
Advisors: Dr. Jean Abraham and Dr. Manka Nkimbeng
Bio: Hi! My name is Iffy and I am a PhD student broadly interested in the structural and emotional forces that drive migration (across homes, neighborhoods, and borders) and how health systems respond once people are in motion. Methodologically, I am particularly interested in quantitative methods and the challenge of translating evidence into real-world policy and practice.
Key areas of interest:
Drivers of Migration: War, persecution, climate change, and bureaucratic displacement.
Health Equity & Systems Response: Refugee resettlement pipelines, culturally competent screening tools, care pathways/service delivery, and how institutions identify, coordinate, and respond to need.
Transnational Dynamics: Global remittances, care networks, status making, and cross-border policy impacts.
Policy: Using research to inform more responsive health and migration policy in real-world settings.
Education
Education
Masters of Science | Health Services Research & Policy
Bachelors of Applied Science | Health Systems Management
Selected Publications
Selected Publications
Abshir, I., White, K. M., Farley, J. F., Sorge, L. A., Pradeep, S., Cannon, A., Tran, K., Pestka, D. L. Considerations for Sustaining Comprehensive Medication Management in Transitions of Care at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (JAACP).
Orakwue K, Abshir IM, Sayal A, Albury L. Breathless Injustice: Association between Exposure To Racial Discrimination and Asthma Outcomes in Children. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2025 Dec 5. doi: 10.1007/s40615-025-02771-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41348135.
Invited Presentations and Awards
Invited Presentations and Awards
2026 SAHM Conference Poster: Orakwue K, Abshir I 200. Breathless Injustice: Association Between Exposure to Racial Discrimination and Asthma Outcomes in Children Journal of Adolescent Health, 78, S107-S108
2026 SAHM Conference Poster: Karbeah J, Abshir I 121. Racial Socialization Messaging by Ethnically Diverse Black Parents and Youth Journal of Adolescent Health, 78, S66-S67
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Inauguration speaker: Minute 3:40
Abshir, I. (2024, March 21). Achieving Health Equity: Unraveling the Political and Social Determinants of Health in America. MSSA 2024 Annual Conference and Expo, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship in African Studies for Academic Year 2024-25.
Editorials and Opinion Pieces
Editorials and Opinion Pieces
Abshir, I. (2024). The First Prayer is for Health. Minnesota Daily. Read here
Abshir, I. (2015). Hillary Visits Seattle High School and Student Resentments Surface. Occupy.com. Read here
Abshir, I. (2015). Fighting Inequality: Seattle Students Lead Protests to Change School and Transit Policies. Occupy.com. Read here
Contact
Contact
abshi027@umn.edu
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