Scholars@Duke
Chenkai Wu

Chenkai Wu

Associate Professor of Global Health at Duke Kunshan University
DKU Faculty

Overview

Dr. Chenkai Wu is an Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Global Health at DKU. Before joining DKU, he was a faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at New York Medical College. His research interests include (1) measurement, epidemiology, and clinical implications of frailty, (2) the interplay of genetic predisposition with the social and natural environment in shaping healthy aging, and (3) implications of machine learning for improving clinical practice. Since 2016, he has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers in epidemiology and gerontology/geriatrics. 

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Global Health at Duke Kunshan University · 2025 - Present DKU Faculty
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Global Health in the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) · 2022 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers

In the News

Published July 1, 2017
Elevated blood pressure may not predict early death in those with weak grip strength
Published June 1, 2016
You’re Likely to Live Longer If You Retire After 65
Published May 9, 2016
Working Past Retirement Benefits Your Health, Study Says

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Recent Publications

Physical Resilience After Hip Fracture: Unpacking the Roles of Resistance and Recovery.

Journal Article Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · November 2025 BackgroundPhysical resilience-the ability to withstand, recover, or adapt after a stressor-is critical in older adults facing acute insults. We conceptualize physical resilience to comprise two distinct but related components: resistance (immediat ... Full text Cite

Understanding frailty changes surrounding hip fracture.

Journal Article The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · November 2025 BackgroundHip fractures significantly increase health risks in older adults, yet the evolution of frailty before and after fracture and its impact on mortality remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between frailty trajectories s ... Full text Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications

Oregon State University · 2017 Ph.D.