Doctor of Philosophy Population Health, Behavioral Health and Science 2019 -2023 Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health, Philadelphia, PA
Dissertation: Improving Hepatitis B Birth Dose Uptake in Nigeria.
Master of Public Health- Community and Behavioral Health 2014 – 2016
East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, Johnson City, Tennessee
Bachelor of Arts, Major- Biology, Minors- Communication and History 2008 – 2012 Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana
View Dr. Freeland’s recent publications on Google Scholar
Dr. Catherine Freeland’s research focuses on improving the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of hepatitis B, with an emphasis on global health, implementation science, and patient-centered care. Her work examines barriers to accessing hepatitis B services and develops practical, community- and health-system-based approaches to improve care and advance hepatitis B elimination. Her research spans the United States and global settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, and includes hepatitis B testing and treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, liver cancer prevention, stigma and discrimination, and patient-reported outcomes. She works closely with patients, communities, researchers, health systems, and public health organizations to translate research into effective programs, policies, and clinical practice.
Dr. Freeland’s current research focuses on translating evidence-based hepatitis B recommendations into practice and identifying scalable approaches to improve prevention, testing, treatment, and long-term care. Her projects include implementation research to strengthen hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination and prevention of mother-to-child transmission in sub-Saharan Africa; evaluating community- and health-system-based models to improve hepatitis B testing, linkage to care, and treatment access; and examining barriers and facilitators to implementation of hepatitis B guidelines. Her patient-centered research examines the lived experience of hepatitis B, including stigma and discrimination, quality of life, treatment preferences, shared decision-making, and patient-reported outcomes. She is also expanding her implementation science research to address disparities in liver cancer prevention and surveillance among people living with chronic liver disease. Through collaborations with community organizations, academic partners, health systems, and regional and global public health organizations, her work aims to develop practical and sustainable strategies that accelerate hepatitis B elimination and reduce preventable liver cancer.
Selected Citations:
Okinedo PO, Freeland C, et al. (2026). Insights from strengthening perinatal hepatitis B prevention in healthcare facilities in Delta State, Nigeria: A prospective, pilot implementation intervention. SAGE Open Chronic Disease.
Freeland C, et al. (2025). The urgent need to end hepatitis B stigma and discrimination. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Freeland C, Qureshi A, Wallace J, et al. (2024). Hepatitis B discrimination: global responses requiring global data. BMC Public Health.
Freeland C, Kanu F, Mohammed Y, et al. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to hepatitis B birth dose vaccination: Perspectives from healthcare providers and pregnant women accessing antenatal care in Nigeria. PLOS Global Public Health.
Freeland C, Racho R, Kamischke M, et al. (2022). Health-related quality of life for adults living with hepatitis B in the United States: a qualitative assessment. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes.