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Virat Agrawal, PhD
I am a health policy and economics researcher at the USC Schaeffer Center, where I study how macro-level shocks, government policies, and regulations affect health and economic well-being.
My work spans several areas, including the effects of COVID-19 policies and global vaccination campaigns on health outcomes, mental health, and health-related behaviors. Currently, I am examining: 1) how post-pandemic inflationary shocks influence household consumption and health, and 2) how Medicare Advantage plans affect healthcare utilization and health outcomes compared to Traditional Medicare. My research has been published in leading health economics journals, highlighted by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and featured in major media outlets such as The Economist, The Washington Times, Newsweek, MarketWatch and The Sydney Morning Herald.
I focus on using advanced econometric methods to understand how macro-level shocks, government policies and regulations, social determinants, and rapid societal changes affect health and economic well-being. My goal is to provide policymakers and professionals with insights into the costs, benefits, and spillover effects of policy choices. In the long run, I aspire to work hand-in-hand with policymakers to craft practical, evidence-based policy solutions that improve quality of life and address diverse socioeconomic and geographical needs.
I earned my Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. Before transitioning into policy research, I worked as a Manufacturing Engineer in the medical device industry. I hold a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), India, and an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Outside of research, I enjoy working out, playing tennis, listening to policy podcasts, exploring Bollywood & 60-80s rock music, and spending time at the beach. I love road trips, national parks, and discovering new cities. Some of my favorites include the Tetons, Zion, Madrid, Rome, and Washington, D.C.
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