Karsten Lunze, MD, MPH, DrPH, FACPM, FAAP

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Karsten Lunze holds a medical degree and doctorates in genetic epidemiology and public health. Following clinical training in pediatrics at Charité Berlin, Germany, and the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, and in public health/preventive medicine and addiction medicine at BMC, he has conducted research concerned with individual and structural risks affecting disadvantaged populations. His clinical health services research has been devoted to improving the health of women and newborns in resource-limited environments. Karsten's federally and foundation-supported global health research aims to improve access to quality care for disadvantaged populations worldwide by addressing intersectional stigma and other barriers to prevention and care via multi-level behavioral and pharmacological interventions for people with addictions, HIV, TB and other conditions.

Director of Global Health, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center
Co-Director, Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Substance Use Research Core

Access to quality care for disadvantaged people
Stigma, HIV prevention and care in key populations
Behavioral interventions in humanitarian settings
Implementation Science
Global maternal and newborn health

Publications

  • Published 5/11/2025

    Kirvalidze M, Kasrashvili M, Tskitishvili A, Aladashvili G, Chelidze N, Tvildiani N, Lunze K, Nadareishvili I. Access to Medical Residency: A Qualitative Study of Medical Graduates' Experiences in Georgia. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2025; 12:23821205251342050. PMID: 40357006.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/30/2025

    Aladashvili G, Kirvalidze M, Tskitishvili A, Chelidze N, Tvildiani N, Pkhakadze G, Bossert TJ, Lunze K, Nadareishvili I. Strengthening Health Workforce in Georgia: Identifying Gaps and Integrating Evidence-Based Strategic Planning. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2025 Mar 30. PMID: 40159301.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/1/2025

    Davis A, Nyblade L, Sun Y, Balabekova O, Landers SE, Gryazev D, Tucker JD, Gulyaev V, Rosenthal SL, Lunze K, Tang W, Kuskulov A, Terlikbayeva A, Primbetova S, Chang M, Denebayeva AY, Akhmetova AU, Absemetova A, Karzhaubayeva S, Kassymbekova S, Maximova M, Mussina Z, Bekenova G, Nugmanova Z, Kalmatayeva Z, Polyakova L, Zhazykbaeva ZK, Vinogradov V, Shaikezhanov A, Darisheva M, Orynbetova B, Norakidze E, Kozhakhmet M, Tolegenova A, Imadillda A, Satkhozhina D, Kartamyssov A, Kanieva Z, Aleshina A, Makhan O, Muravyova A, Rahimzanova A, Duisenbayev A, Tursynbek Z, Dias N, Beken M, Murzakhan M, Brown ZA, Maitekov D, Li A, Mergen S, Mergenov D, Kuanysh A, Rakhimbekov A, Baisbay Y, Aruzhan A, Kozhambet Z, Grebenchishikov D, Bekker D, Kozhamberdiev S, Salykov D, Sagimbayeva M, Yussupova K, Mergenova G. A digital citizen science intervention to reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing: a randomized clinical trial among adolescents and young adults in Kazakhstan. Sex Health. 2025 Mar; 22. PMID: 40146739.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/13/2025

    Salnikova A, Makarenko O, Sereda Y, Kiriazova T, Lunze K, DeHovitz J, Ompad DC. Depression among people living with tuberculosis and tuberculosis/HIV coinfection in Ukraine: a cross-sectional study. Glob Health Action. 2025 Dec; 18(1):2448894. PMID: 39943845.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/7/2024

    Lunze K, Carroll JJ, Ahuja N, Lira MC, Tsui JI, Ventura A, Colasanti JA, Liebschutz JM, Del Rio C, Samet JH. Opioid risk-reduction strategies for people with HIV on chronic opioid therapy: A qualitative study of patient perspectives. SSM Ment Health. 2024 Dec; 6. PMID: 39990723.

    Read at: PubMed

Other Positions

  • Faculty, Medicine
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Education

  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, MD
  • Boston University School of Public Health, DPH/DrPH
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, DM
  • Harvard School of Public Health, MPH