KFF Honored with Prestigious AAPOR Awards for Research Excellence and Inclusion

On May 15, 2026, the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) recognized Mollyann Brodie, Ph.D., of KFF, with the AAPOR Award for Distinguished Achievement. This honor acknowledges Brodie’s leadership and her contributions to the field of public opinion research over a period of three decades.

The award highlights the significance of long-term dedication to the methodologies and application of public opinion data. Brodie’s work has focused on the intersection of data collection and the understanding of public sentiment, a critical component in shaping health-related discourse and policy.

In addition to the individual recognition of Brodie, KFF’s Surveys of Immigrants received the 2026 AAPOR Inclusive Voices Award. This specific accolade is designed to recognize research that examines complex challenges related to populations that are frequently underrepresented in traditional data sets.

The recognition of the Surveys of Immigrants underscores the importance of inclusive data collection in public health. By focusing on underrepresented groups, researchers can better identify disparities in health access and outcomes that might otherwise remain invisible in broader population surveys.

Public opinion research serves as a vital tool for health organizations to understand the barriers individuals face when navigating healthcare systems. When these surveys specifically target immigrant populations, they provide essential insights into how language, legal status, and cultural factors influence health behaviors and the utilization of medical services.

The dual recognition from AAPOR emphasizes the value of both individual expertise and systemic efforts to broaden the scope of health research. By combining rigorous methodology with a commitment to inclusivity, public health researchers can create a more accurate portrait of the health needs of the general public.