Introducing David Brown, Ph.D

David Brown, PhD came to the Department of Family Medicine in 2003 from Canada as a research fellow interested in addiction policy to work with Michael Fleming, MD, MPH. He is now beginning a senior scientist appointment in the department.

David attended the University of Alberta in western Canada, earning his PhD in Sociology. He went on to become an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. While there, David co-founded an interdisciplinary center for research in health promotion and community studies under a five-year Canadian Federal Grant, in partnership with health professionals in the community.

After a decade in academic life, David shifted into policy work as Research Director with the Province of Manitoba's Addictions Foundation. Over the following three years, he became interested in prevention and intervention strategies for addressing harms associated with alcohol and other drugs. In 2002, he joined the DFM research fellowship to work with Dr. Mike Fleming on research in the area of substance misuse.

During his fellowship, David began to work with DFM faculty on their research projects, contributing his social science background in methodology. He has worked with Kathleen Carr, MD on the exercise habits of women before during and after pregnancy. And he has co-authored publications with Bruce Barrett, MD, PhD on the concept of clinical significance and with Alex Adams, MD, PhD on community research partnerships.

David has continued to work as a consultant in the area of substance abuse policy community in Canada during his time at the DFM. He has an appointment as an Associate Researcher with the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse (CCSA) in Ottawa. As part of that role, he has been asked by the Canadian government to write a policy paper on how to expand physician-based routine screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems.

Over the past year, Dr. Brown has worked with Dr. Fleming to direct the DFM research fellowship seminars, work that he will continue as part of his current appointment. He will also continue working over the coming year with Dr. Fleming on the data analysis of the chronic pain and college drinking grants, and with Dr. Adams on her work on childhood obesity with the American Indian community.

In case you need research assistance, David will also devote a portion of his time to work with DFM researchers to develop analysis plans for research and provide analysis for DFM funded and unfunded research projects. He provides similar help on a volunteer basis to local groups. He has been working with the South Madison community on how to address issues of crime and substance misuse.

David is married to Sara Sasse, MD, a Pediatrician and DFM research fellow who shares his interest in public health policy. When he is not working, David enjoys photographing life in and around Madison. One thing you may be surprised to know is that he spent four years as a mailman. He says that delivering mail during Canadian winters provided him with a high tolerance for cold weather and the determination to go back to the University.