About

Brian J. Hall is the Founding Director of the Center for Global Health Equity and a tenured Professor of Global Public Health at NYU Shanghai. He is also an Affiliated Professor at the Department of Global and Environmental Health, School of Global Public Health, New York University. Since 2014, Hall has been an associate faculty member in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and in 2024, he was invited as an Adjunct Professor at the Sun Yat-sen University School of Public Health. Hall earned his PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from Kent State University and completed his clinical internship at the Medical University of South Carolina as a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) T32 predoctoral traumatic stress fellow. He specialized in epidemiological methods, public mental health, and global mental health during a two-year NIMH T32 Fellowship in Psychiatric Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In 2013, he moved full-time to China to conduct research in infectious disease epidemiology and migrant health, participating in several global health programs and collaborations. Hall was the inaugural Global Mental Health Fellow of the World Health Organization in 2017, where he co-developed the cultural sections of the ICD-11 and contributed to the formulation of WHO's scalable mental health interventions, including Step-by-Step, which he adapted for different populations and conducted implementation science trials in Asia. His epidemiologic investigations in China have focused on diverse populations, including studies on the health of African communities, transnational Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers, and migrant populations, examining social determinants of health outcomes. Hall has served as a Commissioner on the Lancet Commission for Mental Health in China and has been recognized for his mentorship and research contributions with multiple awards. He is a prolific scholar with over 320 publications, highly cited globally, and serves as a Senior Associate Editor for Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. His work emphasizes global mental health, social and psychiatric epidemiology, scalable digital interventions, and the health of migrant populations.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Demography
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Geography
• Gerontology
• Surgery
• Nursing
• Medical physics
• Nuclear medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Psychiatry
• Economics
• Radiology

Selected publications

• Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Background Language barriers in healthcare continue to pose major challenges to equitable, high-quality care, particularly in mental health settings where communication is central to diagnosis, therapeutic alliance, and treatment planning. Translation technologies, including machine translation applications, offer potential solutions, but their real-world usability in mental health care remains underexplored. This cross-country qualitative study examined the experiences, attitudes, needs, and suggestions regarding the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental health care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 175 participants, including healthcare providers, interpreters, service users, supporters, and stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, community organisation representatives), across five countries: Germany, South Africa, Romania, the Netherlands, and China. The data were analysed thematically using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach, with Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model applied as a sensitising framework. Results Six overarching themes emerged: (1) perceived effectiveness and limitations of translation tools, (2) cultural, linguistic, and social fit, (3) human aspects of communication and care, (4) ethical and attitudinal dimensions, (5) implementation and improvement pathways, and (6) access barriers. Participants often found the translation tools to be helpful for basic communication but inadequate for complex or emotional interactions central to mental health care. Key concerns included translation accuracy limitations, cultural inappropriateness, reduced empathy and trust, data protection issues, and poor workflow integration. Infrastructure constraints, institutional barriers, and lack of formal guidance hindered effective implementation. Participants emphasised the importance of hybrid models combining technology with human interpreters, tailored training, and clear policy frameworks to address these challenges. Conclusion Translation technologies can help bridge language gaps in mental healthcare, particularly in urgent or resource-constrained settings. However, their effective use remains highly context-dependent and constrained by technical, ethical, relational, and infrastructural challenges. Adequate and equitable implementation requires system-level investment, participatory design, and safeguards that protect both the emotional and cultural dimensions of communication, among others. Translation tools should be seen as supplementary, not substitutive, in delivering safe and person-centred mental healthcare. Clinical trial registration Not applicable.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 1

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 1

  PublisherDOI

• How is Child Maltreatment Defined and Assessed in China: A Scoping Review

  Trauma Violence & Abuse · 2026-03-17

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Studies show considerable cultural variation in the definitions and measurements of child maltreatment (CM). This limits the comparability of findings, the formulation of policy, and tailored interventions. This review systematically maps existing published research regarding CM definitions and measurements, as well as related laws in China. A scoping review was conducted to explore the relevant published literature in English and Chinese from eight databases and legal documents between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2025. Our review identified 34 full-text studies on perceptions of CM in China, six laws related to CM and child protection, and seven scales that are frequently used to assess CM. Five characteristics emerged that explain CM operational definitions in China: frequency, outcome, intention, blood relationship, and perpetrator. Most scales focus solely on abusive behaviors, neglecting multiple characteristics, which may lead to culturally biased interpretations. Discrepancies exist between the CM operationalization framework and its measurement in China. The interpretation of CM results should be approached with caution, considering the operational definitions applicable to different cultural contexts.

  PublisherDOI

• Giant cervical facet joint osteophyte causing myelopathy: illustrative case

  Journal of Neurosurgery Case Lessons · 2026-03-30

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylosis frequently leads to osteophyte formation to stabilize degenerative spinal segments. While osteophytes presenting with cervical myelopathy typically arise from the vertebral body, a cervical facet joint osteophyte causing spinal cord compression has not been described. OBSERVATIONS: This report details the case of a 57-year-old right-handed male waiter with progressive myelopathy. Imaging confirmed a 2-cm calcified extradural mass at the C5 level causing significant spinal cord compression. Surgery revealed a giant osteophyte originating from the right C5-6 facet joint that was compressing the thecal sac and exiting nerve roots, which was subsequently resected. The patient experienced significant recovery postoperatively, with improved strength, balance, and resolution of sensory deficits. LESSONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a cervical facet joint osteophyte presenting with cervical myelopathy. This case highlights the variability of cervical degenerative disease. The proposed mechanism suggests that asymmetric joint stress resulting from his occupation with the right arm elevated initiated a cycle of facet degeneration and medial osteophyte proliferation, progressively occluding the central canal and causing myelopathy. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25987.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Additional file 2 of Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 2

  PublisherDOI

• Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Background Language barriers in healthcare continue to pose major challenges to equitable, high-quality care, particularly in mental health settings where communication is central to diagnosis, therapeutic alliance, and treatment planning. Translation technologies, including machine translation applications, offer potential solutions, but their real-world usability in mental health care remains underexplored. This cross-country qualitative study examined the experiences, attitudes, needs, and suggestions regarding the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental health care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 175 participants, including healthcare providers, interpreters, service users, supporters, and stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, community organisation representatives), across five countries: Germany, South Africa, Romania, the Netherlands, and China. The data were analysed thematically using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach, with Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model applied as a sensitising framework. Results Six overarching themes emerged: (1) perceived effectiveness and limitations of translation tools, (2) cultural, linguistic, and social fit, (3) human aspects of communication and care, (4) ethical and attitudinal dimensions, (5) implementation and improvement pathways, and (6) access barriers. Participants often found the translation tools to be helpful for basic communication but inadequate for complex or emotional interactions central to mental health care. Key concerns included translation accuracy limitations, cultural inappropriateness, reduced empathy and trust, data protection issues, and poor workflow integration. Infrastructure constraints, institutional barriers, and lack of formal guidance hindered effective implementation. Participants emphasised the importance of hybrid models combining technology with human interpreters, tailored training, and clear policy frameworks to address these challenges. Conclusion Translation technologies can help bridge language gaps in mental healthcare, particularly in urgent or resource-constrained settings. However, their effective use remains highly context-dependent and constrained by technical, ethical, relational, and infrastructural challenges. Adequate and equitable implementation requires system-level investment, participatory design, and safeguards that protect both the emotional and cultural dimensions of communication, among others. Translation tools should be seen as supplementary, not substitutive, in delivering safe and person-centred mental healthcare. Clinical trial registration Not applicable.

  PublisherDOI

• Unequal Effects of the Lockdown on Mental Health in Shanghai: The Moderating and Mediating Role of Neighborhood Environment and Online Social Connections

  UNC Libraries · 2026-01-10

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The COVID‐19 pandemic profoundly impacted population mental health worldwide. Few studies examined how the neighborhood environment and online social connections might influence the social gradient in mental health during the pandemic lockdown. We aim to examine the moderating and mediating role of neighborhood environment and online social connections in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health outcomes. We conducted a cross‐sectional online survey of 3763 Shanghai residents during the COVID‐19 lockdown between April 29 and June 1, 2022. Employing OLS linear regression analyses, our findings reveal that SES was negatively associated with depressive symptoms ( B = 0.173, p < 0.001) and anxiety ( B = 0.147, p < 0.001). The findings supported our hypotheses that this disparity in mental health was partially mediated by neighborhood social capital, community management, and the extent of online social connections measured by the frequency of social connection through the social media WeChat (all p < 0.05). Additionally, neighborhood social capital, community management, and online social connections also mitigated SES‐driven mental health inequalities (all p < 0.05). The study underscores the significance of the neighborhood environment and online social interactions in amplifying SES‐related mental health effects, offering valuable insights for urban planning and health equity strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 2 of Exploring the use of translation technologies to overcome language barriers in mental healthcare: a qualitative cross-country study

  Figshare · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 2

  PublisherDOI

• Policy and care in tandem: structuring youth volunteerism for psychological benefits in pediatric palliative care

  BMC Palliative Care · 2025-03-14

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Terminally ill children (TIC) in pediatric palliative care often encounter psychological deprivation due to isolation, impacting their self-discovery and identity formation. The Young Pioneer Voluntary Teams (YPVTs), initiated by the Ministry of Education of China, address these challenges while also benefiting adolescents with enhanced self-esteem and self-efficacy. However, the current lack of a standardized approach in integrating youth volunteerism into pediatric care raises concerns about potential negative impacts on TIC. This paper introduces a framework to standardize YPVTs training, focusing on psychological resilience, respectful attitudes, and enthusiasm, which are crucial for quality engagement with TIC. This framework includes a selection session, a training session, a feedback collection mechanism, and a framework evaluation. The selection session is composed of a questionnaire for basic information, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Motivation of Volunteers Scale, accompanying a scenario-based interview to assess genuineness of their capability to navigate situational challenges. The training session starts with program orientation and responsibility introduction. Lectures, workshops, and exercises are incorporated, aiming to strengthen the three main qualities. Further feedback will be collected from YPVTs with the assistance from child psychologists to detect present flaws and enhance operational quality. Framework effectiveness is evaluated by reassessing the Identity Scale for Adolescents, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Motivation of Volunteers Scale for YPVTs and TIC. Developed through observations at a pediatric palliative care center in China, this framework aims to enhance the well-being of both TIC and YPVTs, embodying person-centered care in healthcare.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Gen Li

  Huazhong University of Science and Technology

  108 shared

• Joseph D. Tucker

  100 shared

• Stevan E. Hobfoll

  Rush University Medical Center

  72 shared

• Jon D. Elhai

  71 shared

• Carl A. Latkin

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  63 shared

• Wen Chen

  Sun Yat-sen University

  59 shared

• Ling Li

  Deutsches Herzzentrum München

  57 shared

• Li Wang

  Zhengzhou University

  56 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Global Public Health

  New York University

Awards & honors

• Faculty Excellence in Advising Award, Center for Global Heal…
• Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award, Internation…
• American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished C…
• The Theodore Blau Early Career Award for Distinguished Profe…
• Fellow of the American Psychological Association (D52: Inter…