Marni Sommer, DrPH, MSN, RN, has worked in global health and development on issues ranging from improving access to essential medicines to humanitarian relief in conflict settings. Dr. Sommer’s particular areas of expertise include conducting participatory research with adolescents, understanding and promoting healthy transitions to adulthood, the intersection of public health and education, gender and sexual health, and the implementation and evaluation of adolescent-focused interventions. Her doctoral research explored girls’ experiences of menstruation, puberty and schooling in Tanzania, and the ways in which the onset of puberty might be disrupting girls’ academic performance and healthy transition to adulthood. Dr. Sommer’s current research focuses on the intersections of gender, health and education for girls and boys transitioning into adulthood in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Recent Publications
- Sommer M., Gruer, C., Smith, R. C., Maroko, A., & Hopper, K., (2020). Menstruation and Homelessness: Challenges faced living in shelters and on the street in New York City. Health & Place, Vol. 66.
- Sommer M., Lee C., Liu D., Gruer, C. (2020). The Extent to Which Menstruation-Related Issues Are Included in Graduate-Level Public Health Curricula. Frontiers in Public Health, 8(442)
- Hennegan, J., Tsui, A., & Sommer, M. (2019) Missed periods: Menstruation matters for family planning. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 45: 55-59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1363/45e7919
Menstrual Health & Gender Justice 