Linda A. Teplin is the Owen L. Coon Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, where she is also the Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Health Disparities and Public Policy Program. In contrast to many other public health researchers, who focus on patients or general population samples, Linda studies people who are underrepresented in the health care system—people who live in jails, prisons, and under-resourced neighborhoods.

Since receiving her Ph.D. from Northwestern University, she has conducted landmark studies that have advanced public health policy for people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged as well as racial and ethnic minorities—those who suffer most from health inequities. For example, her work has highlighted the ubiquitous mental health needs of those incarcerated in jails and detention centers. Most now routinely screen for mental health problems and provide treatment or linkage services. Her work has been supported by more than 38 grants from the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, the Department of Justice, other federal agencies, and foundations. She publishes in prominent journals that are widely read and broadly distributed, such as the JAMA Network journals.

In addition, Dr. Teplin works tirelessly to ensure her findings provide the empirical basis for changes in public health policy. For example, her studies are cited in amicus briefs to the Supreme Court, presented in congressional hearings, and widely disseminated by federal agencies and advocacy groups. Her many honors include receiving a MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health and being elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Most recently, she received the 2024 American Public Health Association Award for Excellence.

Her newest project is Consequences of Incarceration on Health, Age-Related Conditions, and Risk Factors for ADRD, funded by the National Institute on Aging.