Dr. Dilip V. Jeste is a distinguished psychiatrist and internationally recognized authority in the field of social determinants of mental health. He currently serves as Director of the Global Research Network on Social Determinants of Mental Health and Exposomics, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the profound social factors that influence mental health outcomes. Dr. Jeste previously held the position of Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care and served as Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego for 36 years. His medical education began in Pune, India, with psychiatry training in Mumbai, followed by residency at Cornell University and neurology training at George Washington University, establishing a foundation for his pioneering work in integrative mental health approaches.
Dr. Jeste pioneered the integration of social determinants into mental health research and clinical practice, establishing the foundational framework for understanding how social factors like economic status, housing, and social connections impact mental health outcomes. His development of the Global Research Network has catalyzed international collaboration among psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and biological researchers to address the complex interplay between social environments and mental illness. His seminal 2025 publication Addressing social determinants of health in individuals with mental disorders in clinical practice provides evidence-based guidelines for clinicians to systematically evaluate and address social factors that significantly impact patient outcomes. This groundbreaking work has demonstrated that social determinants of health have a greater impact on overall health than traditionally considered medical risk factors, particularly for individuals with mental disorders, transforming clinical approaches to mental healthcare.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Jeste serves as President-Elect of the World Federation for Psychotherapy and Editor-in-Chief of the International Psychogeriatrics journal, shaping the global discourse on mental health treatment and aging. He has been instrumental in developing the Cultural Formulation Interview in DSM-5-TR, which creates standardized approaches for clinicians to acknowledge social factors in patient assessments and treatment planning. His leadership has resulted in over 30 publications since 2022 and the establishment of a robust international collaborative network with more than 20 global leaders in the field. Dr. Jeste continues to advance the science of social determinants of mental health through ongoing research, professional training initiatives, and community-based clinical projects that aim to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by mental illness worldwide.
