Dr. Lichtman’s primary research interests are the epidemiology of heart disease and stroke. Dr. Lichtman has created a national, longitudinal, 14-year database from Medicare data to examine disease trends, patterns of care, and outcomes among elderly patients with heart disease and stroke. She is also Principal Investigator for several studies examining heart disease in young women. Despite perceptions that young women are protected from heart disease, it is one of the leading causes of death for this group. Her research examines biological, social, and environmental factors that influence the presentation and outcomes of young women with heart disease.