Grace Karikari

Current Courses

• IH 790 Indigenous Health Seminar 
• PH573: Grant Writing and Management 
• PH 582: Social and Ecological Determinants of Indigenous Health
• PH 584: Public Health Programming in Indigenous Populations 

Previous Courses at UND

• IH 745: Indigenous Leadership and Ethics 
• PH 572: Health Care Budgeting & Finance
• PH545: Public Health Leadership and Interprofessional Practice 
• PH510: Public Health & Health Care Systems 
• POLS552: Health Policy 

Other Courses Taught 

• Stress Management and Prevention
• Aging, Health & Diverse Population
• Marriage and Family Interactions

My scholarly work broadly center on holistic well-being and the determinants of thriving across the lifespan.

• Global aging (older adults)
  • Successful aging and healthy aging
  • Global age-friendly initiatives
  • Dementia-friendly communities
  • Gerontology and geriatrics education and research

• Global health disparities and equity
  • Rural health

• Holistic health and wellness education
  • Stress and resiliency
  • Indigenous health and wellbeing
  • Students success and wellness 

• Community-based participatory research
• Qualitative methods in socio-behavioral research

Sample Publications 

• Kyere, E., Karikari, G., Lee. J. & Smith, B. (2025). From Cape Coast to covid-19: Tracing health inequities through racialized space, collective trauma, and slavery era. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.DOI: 10.1007/s40615-025-02793-z.
• Schroeder, S., Luger, B., Wilson, G., Smith-Yliniemi J. & Karikari, G. (2025). [Report]. A Visual Journey of Indigenous Health Doctoral Research Students - Photovoice Research. Available at https://commons.und.edu/ih-fac/31/.
• Karikari, G., Lohrmann, D. K., Huber, L., Adamek, M., & Omodior, O. (2024). An application of the reasoned action approach to clinical students' intention toward a career in geriatrics. Nursing & Health Sciences, 26(1), e13076.
• Asante, S., & Karikari, G. (2023). The State of Geriatric and Gerontology Education in Ghana: A Literature Review. International Education Studies, 16(4), 66-76.
• Asante, S. & Karikari, G. (2022). Social relationships and health of older adults: An examination of social connectedness and perceived social Journal of Aging and Longevity, 2(1), 49-62.
• Karikari, G., Lohrmann, D. K., Huber, L., Adamek, M., & Omodior, O. (2022). Attitudes of Graduating Health Practitioners Toward Older Persons in Ghana. UND Commons. Indigenous Health Faculty Publications. 1. Retrieved from: https://commons.und.edu/ih-fac/1
• Karikari, I., Karikari, G., & Kyere, E. (2021). Differential impact, differential adjustments: diverse experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic by college students in an Upper-Midwestern University, USA. SN social sciences, 1(12), 1-25.
• Ashirifi, G. D., Karikari, G., & Adamek, M. E. (2021). Prioritizing the National Aging Policy in Ghana: Critical Next Steps. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 1-18.
• Karikari, G., Huber, L., Lohrmann, K. D., & Ozdogan, Z. (2020). Medical students perspectives and consideration of geriatrics for future practice. An exploratory study of a public school in Ghana. Gerontology and Geriatric Education, DOI: 1080/02701960.2020.1724997
• Anderson, K. R., Naaman, K., Omodior, E., Karikari, G., Pennington-Gray, L., & Omodior, O. (2020). Predicting Chikungunya disease personal protective behaviors: Results of a cross-sectional survey of US- Caribbean Health Promotion Perspective, 10(1), 44.
• Karikari, G., Lohrmann, D. K., Huber, L., (2020). Stimulators of medical students’ interest in geriatric A systematic review. Australasian Journal of Ageing. DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12825
• Hausermann, H., Ferring, D., Atosona, B., Mentz, G., Amankwah, R., Chang, A., Hartfield, K., Effah, E., Asuamah, G.Y., Mansell, C. & Sastri, N. (2018). Land- grabbing, land-use transformation and social differentiation: Deconstructing “small- scale” in Ghana's recent gold rush. World Development, 108,103-114

Sample Presentations 

• Asante, S., Karikari,, & Bang EJ (2025). Healthy family dynamics: The perceptions of older adults living in family settings. - APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo. Washington. DC. November 2-5, 2025.
• Karikari, G. & Asante, S. (2025). Caring for the Aging Population in Ghana: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Best Practices. Annual Meeting and Expo, 2025. DC. November 2-5, 2025.
• Karikari, G., Kyere, E., Lee. J., & Boddie, S. (2025). Colonial Legacies, Structural Racism, and Health Inequities: A Transnational Examination. Annual Meeting and Expo, 2025. Washington. DC. November 2-5, 2025.
• Karikari, G. (2025). Tribal Aging Care Scholars Program: Strengthening Health Workforce for Elder Care in the Great Plains. AI/AN Helthcare Workforce Development Summit. Chandler, AZ. September 12, 2025.
• Schroeder, S., Luger, B., Smith-Yliniemi, J., Karikari, G. & Wilson, G. (2025). A Visual Journey of Indigenous Health Doctoral Students: Promoting Community. Presentation and Art Exhibit. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota. March 25, 2025.
• Karikari G. (2024). Developing a holistic toolkit for advancing educational equity for Indigenous graduate student. Oral Presentation at the Doing Research in Indigenous Communities (DRIC) Conference. Arizona State University Tempe Campus. December 5-6,2024.
• Karikari G., & Asante S. (2024). Promoting age-friendly cities in Ghana. a holistic approach to healthy ageing. Oral Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo. Minneapolis, MN. October 27-30, 2024.
• Asante, S. & Karikari, G. (2024). Modernization matters: Loneliness and social exclusion through the eyes of older Ghanaians. Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo. Minneapolis, MN. October 27-30, 2024.
• Kyere, E., Lee. J., Boddie, S. & Karikari, G. (2024).Exploring the mechanism through which historical racial structures and practices persist health inequalities. Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo. Minneapolis, MN. October 27-30, 2024.
• G. & Asante, S. (2024). Wellness and resiliency of indigenous graduate and professional students. what is known. Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo. Minneapolis, MN. October 27-30, 2024.
• Kyere, E., Lee. J., Boddie, S. & Karikari, G. (2024).Exploring the mechanism through which historical racial structures and practices persist health inequalities. Oral Presentation at the University of North Dakota Multicultural Conference, Grand Forks, North Dakota. October 7-8, 2024.
• Karikari, I.,Karikari, G., Kyere, E. & Gast, K. (2024). From awareness to action post-Covid-19: Fostering supportive classrooms through trauma-informed and crisis intervention practices. Oral Presentation at the University of North Dakota Multicultural Conference, Grand Forks, North Dakota. October 7-8, 2024.
• Karikari, I.,Burns, C., & Karikari, G. (2024). Glocalized learning: A creative strategy for promoting public and rural health. Oral Presentation at the 2024 Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Grand Forks, North Dakota. June 4-6, 2024.
• Karikari, G., & Asante, S. (2023). A nation-wide aging studies curriculum in Ghana: Key issues and recommendations. Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2023 Annual Meeting and Expo. Atlanta, GA. November 12-15, 2023.
• Karikari, G., & Asante, S. Developing and implementing a nationwide curriculum for aging studies. what are the key considerations for Ghana. Poster presentation at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Tampa, FL. November 8-12, 2023
• Asante, S & Karikari, G. (2023) Forging a path to developing age-friendly cities and communities in Ghana: issues and recommendations. Paper presentation at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Tampa, FL. November 8-12, 2023.
• Asante, S. & Karikari, G. Achieving UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing goals in Ghana: Issues and policy recommendations. Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo. Boston. MA (November 6-9, 2022)
• Asante, S. & Karikari, G. Achieving Universal Health Coverage for Older Adults: A Review of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme. Poster Presentation at the GSA 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting. Indianapolis. IN (November 2-6, 2022)
• Karikari, G. & Asante S. Differences in Geriatric-Focused Education Preparation and Beliefs About Providing Care to Older Patients in Ghana. Paper presentation at the Gerontological Society of America 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Online. November 10-13, 2021.
• Karikari G. & Asante S. The State of Gerontological Training in Ghana: Implications for a Specialized Workforce and the Aging Population II. Paper presentation at the American Public Health Association 2021 Annual Meeting Online. October 24 - 27, 2021.
• Karikari, G., Lohrmann, K. D., Huber, L., Adamek, M., & Omodior, O. Attitudes of graduating medical and nursing students toward older persons in Ghana. Gerontological Society of America 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting Online. November 4-7, 2020.

CURRENT AWARDS

Award: Rural and Environment Research Award

Date awarded: November 2025

Institution:  Aging & Public Health Section, American Public Health Association. 

Award: Mohammad R. Torabi Early Career Distinguish Alumni Award

Date awarded: November 2023

Institution:  Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health.

Award: Excellence in Course Development and Innovative Teaching Strategies

Date awarded: February 2023

Institution:University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. 

CERTIFICATIONS

National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC - ID A-3938806)

Date earned:  April 2024

Institution: The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching, San Diego, CA.   

Health and Wellness Coaching Graduate Certificate

Date earned: August 2023

Institution: University of North Dakota, Nutrition & Dietetics Department, Grand Forks, ND.

Mindset Coaching Certificate                                                                                 

Date earned:Feb 2022

Institution: Proctor Gallagher Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona

Gerontology and Health Graduate Certificate

Date earned: May 2019

Institution: Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN.

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES ID 28705)

Date earned:  April 2017

Institution: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., Whitehall, PA.

Doctor of Philosophy                                                                                       

Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN                                

Major: Health Behavior. Minor: Gerontology

Master of Public Health                                                                                   

Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN                                

Major: Behavioral, Social and Community Health

Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Economics              

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana               

Minors: Sociology & Social Work

Select Previous Professional Experiences 

• Teaching Assistant Professor (Aug 2020 – Aug 2022)

University of North Dakota, Public Health Program, Grand Forks, ND.                     

• Associate Instructor (2017 - 2019)

Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN.

• Global Health and Wellness Educator ( 2015 - 2019)

Indiana University Health Center, Bloomington, IN.                                                    

• Peer Health and Wellness Education Assistant Programs Coordinator (2016 - 2017) 

Indiana University Health Center, Bloomington, IN.                                                        

• Grant Writer/Project Coordinator (2012 – 2014)

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation, Kumasi, Ghana.