Jason D. Flatt

Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Health
Expertise: LGBTQ health, Gerontology, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, Health disparities, Social and behavioral health, Neurodegenerative diseases

Biography

Jason D. Flatt is an associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Health at UNLV's School of Public Health. His most recent research works to better understand the concerns and needs of LGBTQIA+ seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as the needs of their chosen families. He also teaches courses on community based participatory research and social and behavioral health theory.

For the last decade, Flatt has leveraged his platform as a public health researcher to work as an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. To further the reach of his advocacy efforts in Las Vegas, he partners with the LGBT Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Trans Pride, Nevada Alliance for Student Diversity, and the Nevada Minority Health Equity Coalition. He is also working with several Southern Nevada community leaders to create Building H.O.U.S.E. Las Vegas, a group dedicated to organizing and creating affordable and welcoming housing for LGBTQIA+ people aged 50 and older.

Flatt’s work has been featured on NPR, U.S. News & World Report, The Advocate, and Newsweek, as well as in Alzheimer's Association outreach.

Education

  • Ph.D., Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
  • M.P.H., Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina
  • B.S., Health Science, University of Florida

Jason D. Flatt In The News

P.B.S.
Researchers say threats to federal research funding and President Donald Trump’s promise to eliminate any policy promoting “diversity, equity and inclusion” are threatening a decades-long effort to improve how the nation studies the health of women and queer people, or improve treatments for the medical conditions that affect them. Agency employees have been warned not to approve grants that include words such as  “women,” “trans” or “diversity."
The 19th
Trump's federal funding cuts are shutting down studies on Alzheimer’s care, uterine fibroids and pregnancy risks — all because they focus on gender.
Las Vegas Review Journal
UNLV professor Jason Flatt was finalizing his $1.4 million grant in February for research related to dementia and caregiving among LGBTQIA+ veterans. Despite having received the notice of award before President Donald Trump took office, the Department of Defense revoked it afterward.
Las Vegas Sun
Four months ago, Tara McKay, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University, received an award from the National Institutes of Health recognizing her contributions to the field of LGBTQ+ health research.

Articles Featuring Jason D. Flatt

spring flowers
Campus News | March 6, 2025

The rosiest headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of UNLV.

Josh Hawkins, UNLV
Campus News | July 3, 2024

News highlights featuring UNLV students and staff who made (refreshing) waves in the headlines.

individual holding pride progress flag on pride-colored sidewalk
People | August 28, 2023

The research expert recently received a $3.5M grant to conduct a study on LGBTQIA+ caregivers of dementia patients and their experiences.

Graduation surprise
Campus News | August 1, 2023

News stories from the summer featuring UNLV students and faculty.