Originally from Ghana, Akua Asante has called Newark, New Jersey home since she was 4-years-old. As Research Analyst at the American Institute for Research (AIR) Equity, Akua works with an array of populations and communities, prioritizing underrepresented groups such as Black communities and communities of color, low-income individuals, rural populations, LGBTQIA+ communities, and individuals with disabilities. As a member of the Human Services and Health Division, Akua leads various projects for stakeholders such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Medicaid Services on patient-reported outcomes and experiences. This work informs and promotes policy to address social determinants of health in marginalized communities. Akua also oversees project coordination, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and communication management. Having lived in Ghana and raised in the U.S., Akua has witnessed the impacts of health inequities facing different populations and how interconnected these issues can be. As a GHC fellow, she aspires to deepen her understanding of how the local impacts the global. She believes "this immersive experience will equip me with the necessary skills to shape impactful policies and programs that address health disparities both within the U.S. and on a global scale."