Sara Hanafi, MPH

Education:

Summary:

Sara Hanafi-Cortez, MPH, is a Senior Public Health Diversity Advisor at the Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity, where she leads efforts to develop inclusive instructional curricula and training strategies that address health equity and professional development in public health. Currently, she is responsible for the oversight and day-to-day operations related to the Larson Institute’s learning management system (LMS), Making Health Happen. With over seven years of experience in e-learning systems, Sara specializes in adult learning methodology and has designed and implemented courses using various modalities for diverse audiences, including public health and intersectoral professionals, healthcare providers, community advocates, parents, teens, children, and incarcerated individuals. She is well-versed in cultural humility, anti-oppression theory, and trauma-informed practice, which she applies thoughtfully to advance health equity and address the needs of underserved and marginalized communities. Her leadership extends to collaborating with regional and national partners to identify gaps in public health education and create targeted solutions, ensuring impactful and inclusive learning experiences. 

 In addition to her wealth of experience in instructional design and technology, Sara’s research and professional interests center on equitable approaches to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) and promote comprehensive sexuality education. Prior to joining the Larson Institute team, she worked with local domestic and sexual violence organizations to support healthcare providers in developing effective IPV screening and intervention protocols, as well as collaborating with youth service providers to implement trauma-informed, inclusive sex education programming. She also serves as an instructor for the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno, teaching courses such as Injury and Violence Prevention, Ethics and Professionalism in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Health, and Health Communications.  

Expertise

• Instructional design and systems development 

• E-learning and educational technology 

• Prevention of domestic and sexual violence 

• Sexual health promotion  

• Health equity and social determinants of health 

Key Projects

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Overdose Data to Action 

• Office of Monitory Health (OMH), Black Youth Mental Health 

• Health Resources and Administration (HRSA), Nevada Public Health Training Center  

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), West Environmental Justice Center 

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Nutrition Services WIC Breastfeeding Support  

KEY PRESENTATION AND PUBLICATIONS

Presentations 

• Bridging the Gap: Development of an Innovative Cultural Competency Training for Public Health Professionals. Poster, American Public Health Association Conference (October 2024). 

• Making Health Happen: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce with Engaging Online Learning. Presentation, American Public Health Association Conference (November 2023). 

Publications 

• Hanafi, S.L., Lucero, J., & Rodriguez, K.I. (2023). Millennial perceptions of sexuality: Making the case for better sexuality education. In Taverner, W.J. (Eds.), Sex education research: A look between the sheets (pp. 241-250). Routledge. 

• Hanafi, S., Morning, K., Dermid, G., Ervin, A. (2022) Health Equity in the Workplace. Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity. University of Nevada, Reno. 

• Lucero, J.E., Hanafi, S.L., Emerson, A.D., Rodriguez, K.I., Davalos, L., & Grinnell, L. (2020). Sexual health and sexual health education: Contemporary perceptions and concerns of young adults within the millennial population cohort. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 15(4), 476-490.