Our work spans from high-level epidemiological modeling to the ethical foundations of primary care practice. Below are our core active research lines and selected publications. 

Selected Publications:

Acosta-Batista, C. "Revisiting the healthy immigrant paradox in mental health: a Bayesian approach." Gaceta Sanitaria.  DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2026.102576 

• Summary: Investigating the erosion of the "Healthy Immigrant Effect" among the Latin American population in Europe. Our Bayesian model compares depression prevalence between 2014 and 2020, revealing a 96.8% probability that the initial mental health advantage of migrants has diminished over time. The study highlights the "double penalty" of the COVID-19 pandemic and transnational stress on migrant mental health.

Acosta-Batista C, Rios-Alonso D, Verrier Maden K, Morera Gomez R, Vidal Rodriguez M. The Resilience of the Hispanic Paradox: An Ecological Study of Cultural Density, Poverty, and Mortality in Florida (2020-2024). Cureus 18(2): e103269. doi: 10.7759/cureus.103269 

• The “Hispanic paradox” describes the observation that Hispanic communities may experience lower mortality rates than expected given socioeconomic disadvantage. We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study across all 67 Florida counties. 

Acosta-Batista, C. (2025). "Beyond clinical skills: assessing prudent ethical competence for underserved populations." Canadian Medical Education Journal. [Published ahead of issue]. doi: 10.36834/cmej.82718.

• Summary: A critical analysis challenging traditional competency metrics. Using a Bayesian framework, we identified a measurable disconnect between theoretical ethical knowledge and prudent clinical performance in primary care trainees. We propose "prudent ethical competence" as a vital metric for ensuring readiness in underserved settings.

Acosta-Batista, C. "Geography is not Destiny: A Bayesian Reassurance for Future Rural Physicians." PRiMER (Peer-Reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research). Published: 2/6/2026 | DOI: 10.22454/PRiMER.2026.588711 

Summary: Addressing the stigma of rural residency tracks. We performed a Bayesian re-analysis of preceptor evaluation data, defining a Region of Practical Equivalence (ROPE). The study provides mathematical confirmation (near 100% probability) that the quality of mentorship in rural versus urban settings is effectively equivalent, reassuring applicants that choosing a rural track does not compromise educational rigor.

C. Preprints & Working Papers

• • Acosta-Batista, C. (2025). "Bioethics in primary health care: a Bayesian approach to conceptual dichotomy." medRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2025.11.21.25340770.

Methodology: Application of Bayesian inference to quantify the gap between bioethical theory and clinical practice among primary care faculty.