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Valerie A. Smith

Professor in Population Health Sciences
Population Health Sciences

Overview


Valerie A. Smith, DrPH, is a Professor in the Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences. Her methodological research interests include methods for semicontinuous and zero-inflated data, cost and utilization modeling, causal inference methods, observational study design, and longitudinal data analysis.

Dr. Smith works largely in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, with a focus on health policy interventions, health care utilization and expenditure patterns, program and policy evaluation, bariatric surgery and obesity treatment evaluation, aging, and caregiving.

Areas of expertise: Biostatistics, Health Services Research, Health Economics, and Health Policy

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2025 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Biostatistics & Bioinformatics · 2025 - Present Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Professor in Medicine · 2025 - Present Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Medicine

Recent Publications


Impact of time zero designation on estimated COVID-19 antiviral effectiveness in observational studies.

Journal Article Am J Epidemiol · February 5, 2026 In a well-designed clinical trial, time zero is when eligibility is determined, treatment is assigned, follow-up time begins, and each of these elements is aligned. Attaining this alignment can be challenging in observational studies, risking potential bia ... Full text Link to item Cite

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes following bariatric surgery: Reconciling seemingly conflicting evidence.

Journal Article Epidemiology · January 21, 2026 Substantial observational evidence exists in support of bariatric surgery being associated with reduction in risk for a wide range of outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes. Two recent studies, however, argued that much ... Full text Link to item Cite

Filling Diabetes Medications Through VA or Medicare, or Both: Factors in Decision Making, Challenges, and Informational Needs.

Journal Article J Gen Intern Med · January 2026 BACKGROUND: Veterans' dual use of VA and Medicare Part D to fill diabetes medications is common and has advantages as well as disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To understand the factors Veterans and their care partners consider when choosing whether to fill their ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Developing robust anti-Obesity Medication ImplemeNtatiOn approaches to maximize population health (the DOMINO study)

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2015 DrPH
Stanford University · 2008 M.S.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2007 B.S.