Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H. headshot

Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Internal medicine physicianClarkston Community Health Center

Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified internal medicine physician with expertise in digital health communications. An advocate for health equity and health literacy, Dr. Cassoobhoy treats patients at the nonprofit Clarkston Community Health Center in Clarkston, GA, and she is the medical director at Equity Health, L.L.C., in Atlanta, GA.

Education

  • Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
  • Residency, internal medicine, Primary Care Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
  • Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.), anthropology and human biology, Emory University, Atlanta, G
  • Academic honors: summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, dean’s scholar, National Merit scholar

Affiliations

  • Internal medicine, Clarkston Community Health Center, Clarkston, GA,
  • Medical director, Equity Health, L.L.C., Atlanta, GA

Professional Organizations

  • Emory School of Medicine alumni board
  • Former chair of the Sahiyo U.S. advisory board
  • American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Georgia State medical license

Professional Accomplishments

  • Former chief medical editor at Everyday Health
  • Former senior medical director at WebMD and Medscape
  • Media spokesperson on medical matters

Related

A man holds his stomach in pain
Digestive Health

Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

If you feel a sharp or dull pain in your lower left abdomen, it’s important to get to the root of your discomfort. Discover a few of the possible culprits.

A man holds his stomach in pain
Digestive Health

Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

If you feel a sharp or dull pain in your lower left abdomen, it’s important to get to the root of your discomfort. Discover a few of the possible culprits.

patient consult doctor on cellphone video call
General Health

Should I Go to the Doctor for a Cold or the Flu?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Use this guide to know which symptoms mean it’s time to seek medical care.

patient consult doctor on cellphone video call
General Health

Should I Go to the Doctor for a Cold or the Flu?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Use this guide to know which symptoms mean it’s time to seek medical care.

COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19

Novel Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know

Medically Reviewed: Vincent A. Covelli, D.O.

COVID-19 may be the defining (and scariest) global crisis of our time. Your best defense is knowledge and preparedness. Minus any fake news.

COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19

Novel Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know

Medically Reviewed: Vincent A. Covelli, D.O.

COVID-19 may be the defining (and scariest) global crisis of our time. Your best defense is knowledge and preparedness. Minus any fake news.

Woman points on the ribcage
General Health

What’s Making Your Ribs Hurt?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

The pain can be due to a minor muscle strain or major event like a pulmonary embolism. Learn more about possible causes—and what to do about it.

Woman points on the ribcage
General Health

What’s Making Your Ribs Hurt?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

The pain can be due to a minor muscle strain or major event like a pulmonary embolism. Learn more about possible causes—and what to do about it.

woman pouring microwave popcorn from the bag into a bowl
General Health

Forever Chemicals and Your Chronic Condition

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

You’ve likely got chemicals called PFAS in your body. Here’s how they could be affecting your health—and four key ways to reduce your exposure.

woman pouring microwave popcorn from the bag into a bowl
General Health

Forever Chemicals and Your Chronic Condition

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

You’ve likely got chemicals called PFAS in your body. Here’s how they could be affecting your health—and four key ways to reduce your exposure.

A man touches his arm in pain
Chronic Pain

What Causes Muscle Soreness Besides Exercise?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

If there’s no obvious reason for your aches and pains, talk with your doctor about these less-common explanations.

A man touches his arm in pain
Chronic Pain

What Causes Muscle Soreness Besides Exercise?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

If there’s no obvious reason for your aches and pains, talk with your doctor about these less-common explanations.

Senior woman lying in bed with chest pain
General Health

Chest Pain When Lying Down: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

The most common causes of chest pain while lying down aren’t life-threatening. Here’s what experts want you to know.

Senior woman lying in bed with chest pain
General Health

Chest Pain When Lying Down: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

The most common causes of chest pain while lying down aren’t life-threatening. Here’s what experts want you to know.

A chart showing causes of stomach and back pain
Back Pain

Stomach Pain and Back Pain: Possible Causes

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Although back and stomach issues may not be related, there are some conditions where the two could be linked. Here are the top culprits, along with treatments that may help.

A chart showing causes of stomach and back pain
Back Pain

Stomach Pain and Back Pain: Possible Causes

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Although back and stomach issues may not be related, there are some conditions where the two could be linked. Here are the top culprits, along with treatments that may help.

Halle Berry and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden speak during a roundtable discussion highlighting women's health research at University of Illinois on January 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Women’s Health

Will a New Government Initiative Really Bridge the Gap in Women’s Health Research?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Inside the $100 million “moonshot” plan to find breakthroughs for conditions that hit women harder.

Halle Berry and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden speak during a roundtable discussion highlighting women's health research at University of Illinois on January 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Women’s Health

Will a New Government Initiative Really Bridge the Gap in Women’s Health Research?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

Inside the $100 million “moonshot” plan to find breakthroughs for conditions that hit women harder.

Gloved hands examine a DNA sequence on a screen
Sickle Cell Disease

Which Chronic Diseases Could New Gene Editing Technology Eradicate?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

By repairing a genetic fault in the DNA, certain conditions, explored here, may be eliminated. Here’s how.

Gloved hands examine a DNA sequence on a screen
Sickle Cell Disease

Which Chronic Diseases Could New Gene Editing Technology Eradicate?

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

By repairing a genetic fault in the DNA, certain conditions, explored here, may be eliminated. Here’s how.

3D illustration, Regenerative medicine and therapeutic stem cell therapy
Healthy Aging

Regenerative Medicine Is Changing the Way We Age

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

A look at the next-gen therapies that hope to turn the field of medicine—and treating age-related chronic conditions—upside down.

3D illustration, Regenerative medicine and therapeutic stem cell therapy
Healthy Aging

Regenerative Medicine Is Changing the Way We Age

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

A look at the next-gen therapies that hope to turn the field of medicine—and treating age-related chronic conditions—upside down.

Conceptual illustration medicine that uses artificial intelligence
General Health

Coming Soon to a Doctor’s Office Near You: AI-Driven Health Care

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

No longer a plot in a science-fiction novel, artificial intelligence is the next big thing in diagnosing and treating chronic disease.

Conceptual illustration medicine that uses artificial intelligence
General Health

Coming Soon to a Doctor’s Office Near You: AI-Driven Health Care

Medically Reviewed: Arefa Cassoobhoy, M.D., M.P.H.

No longer a plot in a science-fiction novel, artificial intelligence is the next big thing in diagnosing and treating chronic disease.