Paula Lantz is the James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy at Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a University Professor of Diversity and Social Transformation at the University of Michigan. She is also director of the Ford School's undergraduate programs and holds an appointment as professor of health management and policy in the School of Public Health. Dr. Lantz, a social demographer/social epidemiologist, teaches and conducts research regarding the role of public policy in improving population health and reducing social disparities in health. She is currently engaged in research regarding abortion policy, housing policy, and on how COVID-19 continues to exacerbate existing social, economic, and health inequities in the United States. An elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the National Academy of Medicine, Lantz received an MA in sociology from Washington University, St. Louis, and an MS in epidemiology and PhD in sociology with a focus on social demography from the University of Wisconsin.