Darren Liu, DrPH, MS

Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Public Health

Department:

Health Policy, Management, and Leadership

Classification:

Faculty

• DrPH, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
• MS, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

Darren Liu, DrPH, MS, FGSA, is a Professor whose work focuses on healthy aging, population health management, long-term care, and health equity. He has contributed to national and international initiatives in aging, public health, and health administration through leadership, advisory, and service roles with professional organizations, accreditation efforts, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Dr. Liu has held leadership and advisory roles with organizations including the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), and the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). His work has contributed to curriculum development, accreditation, workforce development, and international collaboration in aging policy and public health education. He also contributes to the field through editorial leadership with Gerontology & Geriatric Education, Innovation in Aging, and JMIR Aging, and as co-editor of three textbooks related to health disparities, healthcare workforce diversity, and quality and safety in long-term care.

WVU School of Public Health Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership

My research examines how healthcare systems can advance quality, safety, and equity through evidence-based practices and person-centered approaches.

• Health Disparities & Systems of Care: Investigating how structural and organizational factors shape health outcomes, with emphasis on inequities in access, delivery, and workforce practices.
• Aging, Dementia, & Long-Term Care: Advancing quality and safety in long-term care and developing innovative, person-centered models to reduce ageism and improve dementia care.
• Health Communication & Policy: Exploring the role of media, politics, and public trust in shaping health behaviors and policy adoption, particularly in prevention and population health.

Books

1. Liu, D. & Castle, N. (Eds.) (2025). Managing Quality and Safety in Long-Term Care. Springer Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-8261-4934-3 [Link to Publisher; Amazon]
2. Liu, D., Burston, B.C., Stewart, S.C., Mulligan, H.H. (2020). Isms in Health Care Human Resources: A Concise Guide to Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN: 978-128-4201802. [Link to Publisher; Amazon]
3. Liu, D., Burston, B.C., Stewart, S.C., Mulligan, H.H. (2018). The Challenges of Health Disparities: Implications and Actions for Health Care Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN: 978-128-4156096. [Link to Publisher; Amazon]

1. Atassi, K. & Liu, D. (2025). “Reading 1.6 Exploring Social Class, Diversity, and Inclusion Through Five Real-World Examples.” (pp.55 - 65) In Cartwright, A., Reeves, E. (Eds.), DIVERSITY IN PERSPECTIVE Thinking and Acting (2nd edition). Cognella Academic Publishing. ISBN-13; 979-8-8233-0955-4. [Link]
2. Liu, D. & Burston, B. (2023). “Chapter 2: The Societal Context for Health and Health Care.” (pp.11 - 21) In Evashwick, C., Turner, J., Singh, S. (Eds.), Population, Community and Public Health Management: Cases and Concepts. Chicago: Health Administration Press. ISBN-13: 978-1-64055-400-9. [Link]
3. Yamashita, T., Liu, D., Lopez, E.B., Stevens, J.M., Brown, J.S. (2016). “Chapter 5: Public Health Perspective on Health Literacy.” In Karen Kopera-Frye, Ph.D. (Eds.), Health Literacy Among Older Adults. Springer Publishing Company. [Link]

1. Chang, C.F., Liu, D., Kuan, C.Y., Chang, Y.M., Chiang, T.L. (2025). HPV Vaccine Reporting in Taiwan: Media and Politics, 2005-2018. Women and Health. [Link]
2. Liu, D. & Karasik, R.J., (2025). Innovations in Dementia Care, Functional Support, and Learning Strategies. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 46(2), 163-166. [Link]
3. Karasik, R.J. & Liu, D. (2025). Transforming Perspectives on Aging: Educational, Professional, and Research Innovations to Address Ageism. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 46(1), 1-4. [Link]

Full Publications on NCBI

 Select publications in 2026

Liu, D., & Kopera-Frye, K. (2026). Preparing for a longevity-ready society. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 47(2), 135-138. [Link]

Chen, D.R., Kuo, C.T., Liu, D., & Chang, Y.T. (2026). When privacy yields to solidarity: national identity and the legitimacy of government AI public health surveillance in Taiwan. AI & Society. [Link]

Full Publications on [Google Scholar]