Koichiro Shiba
Profiles

Koichiro Shiba, PhD

Assistant Professor, Epidemiology - Boston University School of Public Health

617-358-3632
Talbot (T Bldg) - T420E
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Biography

My overarching research goal is using rigorous causal inference thinking and methods to improve evidence on social determinants of health and health disparities. Rather than merely applying complex methods, my motto is to harness their full potential by identifying and applying the methods to the unique challenges in social epidemiologic studies where they truly shine.

I lead a multitude of projects spanning a broad spectrum of methodological issues, including but not limited to: analyzing time-varying treatments to derive different, policy-relevant insights, and identifying when conventional single-point exposure analysis may be misleading; the use of machine learning methods for robust effect estimation and assessing high-dimensional heterogeneous exposure effects, capturing the intersectionality; the consideration of causal estimands and selection bias in trauma studies with sample attrition; novel approaches to characterize and operationalize neighborhood characteristics; and a novel causal inference method to simulate the impacts of realistic hypothetical interventions on health disparities.

In addition to these methodological focuses, I have worked on several key substantive areas that address urgent public health concerns. First, I study the effects of stressful experiences and traumatic events (such as climate change, disasters, child adversity, pandemics, and global financial crises) on population health, with a particular focus on older adult populations. Second, I investigate the roles of social relationships, social engagement (e.g., volunteering), and related exposures such as loneliness and social isolation) in promoting the health of older adults and fostering resilience. I have also explored how internet-based social interactions can influence population health. Third, I study the impacts of positive psychological factors (for instance, purpose in life, Ikigai) on health. My research further delves into inequalities in and determinants of multidimensional well-being (i.e., human flourishing), which extends beyond traditional physical and mental health outcomes and include other key domains of human well-being such as purpose in life and social well-being. In essence, my objective for this line of research is to study health in its fullest sense, defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Education

  • Harvard School of Public Health, PhD Field of Study: Population Sciences
  • University of Tokyo, MPH Field of Study: Public Health
  • University of Tokyo, BA Field of Study: Health Science

Websites

Publications

  • Published on 9/22/2025

    S Okuzono S, Shiba K, Zhu DT, Oh S, Hsu YT, Yazawa A, Hikichi H, Aida J, Kondo K, Tiemeier H, Kawachi I. Disaster-related home loss, mental health, and risk of cognitive disability: causal mediation analysis using longitudinal data of disaster survivors. Am J Epidemiol. 2025 Sep 22. PMID: 40977047.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 9/6/2025

    Ide K, Nakagomi A, Kawaguchi K, Shioya R, Takeuchi H, Tsuji T, Abe N, Kondo K, Shiba K. Points-Based Health Incentive Program and Subsequent Health and Well-Being in Japan: An Outcome-Wide Approach. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025 Oct; 73(10):3166-3176. PMID: 40913483.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 9/2/2025

    Takemura Y, Inoue K, Sato K, Haseda M, Shiba K, Kondo N. Social Participation and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Sep 02; 8(9):e2530523. PMID: 40920380.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 8/7/2025

    Macchia L, Okafor CN, Breedlove T, Shiba K, Piper A, Johnson B, VanderWeele TJ. A cross-national analysis of childhood predictors of physical pain. Commun Med (Lond). 2025 Aug 07; 5(1):337. PMID: 40775017.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 7/17/2025

    Chopik WJ, Rosella L, Helliwell J, Shiba K, Kim ES. Life satisfaction moderates the impact of daily stressors on well-being and health. Health Psychol. 2025 Jul 17. PMID: 40673995.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 7/13/2025

    Nakamura JS, Gibson CB, Woodberry RD, Lee MT, Kim YI, Shiba K, Padgett RN, Johnson BR, VanderWeele TJ. Understanding who volunteers globally through an examination of demographic variation in volunteering across 22 countries. Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 13; 15(1):25299. PMID: 40653523.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 7/11/2025

    Ritchie-Dunham JL, Yancey G, Managi S, Bartel C, Bonhag R, Padgett RN, Shiba K, Johnson BR, VanderWeele TJ. Childhood predictors of social support and intimate friends in a Cross-National analysis of the global flourishing study. Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 11; 15(1):25068. PMID: 40646068.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 6/6/2025

    Cowden RG, Chen ZJ, Wilkinson R, Weziak-Bialowolska D, Breedlove T, Gundersen C, Shiba K, Padgett RN, Johnson BR, VanderWeele TJ. Childhood predictors of suffering in adulthood across 22 countries. Commun Med (Lond). 2025 Jun 06; 5(1):217. PMID: 40481302.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 5/30/2025

    Ritchie-Dunham JL, Yancey G, Managi S, Bartel C, Bonhag R, Padgett N, Shiba K, Johnson BR, VanderWeele TJ. Demographic Variation in Social Support and Intimate Friend Across 22 Countries: A Cross-National Analysis. Int J Appl Posit Psychol. 2025; 10(2):37. PMID: 40453540.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 5/26/2025

    Nakagomi A, Kondo K, Shiba K. Heterogeneity in the association between internet use and dementia among older adults: A machine-learning analysis. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2025 Sep; 136:105912. PMID: 40456200.

     Read At: PubMed

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