Howard is an expert in health disparities of cardiovascular disease. She is the co-principal investigator for the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national study that examines why more African-Americans die from strokes than other races. The study has received nearly $100 million in funding from the National Institute of Health since it began in 2003.

Howard's research focuses on stroke symptoms and associated risk factors, such as diet, education and geographical locations. She recently published a study that found that the amount of sleep African American and white men receive each night impacts their risk of stroke. She is able to discuss racial health disparities in relation to cardiovascular disease, as well as stroke risk and prevention.