Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards is an associate professor of medicine at Duke University. Her interdisciplinary research examines the influence of racism, gender, and cultural factors on human development across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on African American populations. Dr. Bentley-Edwards’ scholarship highlights cultural assets—such as religiosity—for their influence on healthy development in families, communities, and schools. She identifies and seeks solutions to structural barriers that heighten disparities in preventable conditions including heart disease, infant and maternal deaths, and kidney disease. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Bentley-Edwards is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of structural racism and bias, and she frequently engages with policymakers, practitioners, families, and media to inform equity-driven approaches in health, education, and social policy.  

Dr. Bentley-Edwards explores the intersection of race, gender, and religion in shaping health outcomes. She argues that public health frameworks must expand beyond individual behaviors and beliefs to include the institutional norms that inform them. While often referred to collectively as the “Black church,” African American religious institutions are diverse, with denominations holding distinct views on womanhood, leadership, and sacrifice. These differences offer critical nuance in understanding the relationship between faith and well-being. Dr. Bentley-Edwards’ research reveals a unique connection between religious participation, denominational affiliation and health for Black women, highlighting the need for deeper conversations about Black women’s experiences in church life and the broader implications for communal care and support.