Health Determinants Science
Within health determinants science, our faculty are generating knowledge to inform our understanding of health equity, special and vulnerable populations, healthful aging, health promotion behavioral change, and community and environmental factors that affect both individual and public health.
Determinants of health are multiple and complex, and fall into five broad categories. These are 1) social and economic environment (e.g., education, employment, social networks); 2) physical environment (e.g., natural and built environment); 3) health care behaviors (e.g., individual lifestyles, cultural practice, family/community beliefs); 4) genetics (e.g., genetics and epigenetics); and 5) the health care system (e.g., access, cost, quantity, and quality of health care services).
Our goal is to discover knowledge and implement programs that will improve the health and well-being of diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations across the lifespan.
Faculty
Hyochol Brian Ahn
Hyochol Brian Ahn , PhD, MSN, MS-CTS, MS-ECE, APRN, ANP-BC, FAAN
Research Impact
My research is aimed at enhancing health and promoting independence within vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities. Currently, my primary focus lies in leveraging innovative technologies to advance pain and symptom management.
Terry A Badger
Terry A Badger , PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAPOS, FAAN
Director, Research Initiatives
Endowed Chair, Eleanor Bauwens - Nursing
Professor
Professor, Psychiatry
Professor, Public Health
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Research Impact
My research helps cancer survivors and their caregivers to reduce psychological distress and manage cancer symptoms during and after cancer treatment. I remove the barriers to receiving supportive care services by using the telephone to provide health education and counseling.
Aleeca Bell
Aleeca Bell , PhD, RN, CNM
Research Impact
I aim to improve the health and well-being of mothers and babies by promoting physiologic birth, a positive birth experience, and healthy mother-baby attachment/interaction. I also aim to understand the role of oxytocin as an underlying mechanism of conditions related to birth, attachment and adversity.
Elise Erickson
Elise Erickson , PhD, CNM, FACNM
Assistant Professor, BIO5 Institute
Assistant Professor, Clinical Translational Sciences
Assistant Professor, Nursing
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice-Science
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Rina S Fox
Rina S Fox , PhD, MPH
Research Impact
I conduct research to identify non-pharmacological interventions that can help individuals with chronic illnesses, particularly cancer, have better quality of life and lower symptom burden. Although I study many different symptoms, I am currently focusing on the role of sleep disturbance in health-related quality of life.
Judith S Gordon
Judith S Gordon , PhD
Associate Dean, Research
Professor
Professor, BIO5 Institute
Professor, Family and Community Medicine
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Research Impact
I conduct research to help people engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors, primarily tobacco use cessation and prevention. Currently, I focus on reaching tobacco users in a variety of healthcare settings, and using integrative approaches and technology to reduce tobacco use.
Kathleen C Insel
Kathleen C Insel , PhD, RN
Research Impact
My area of research focuses on cognitive function and how cognition is influenced by age, illness, and treatment; this also informs how cognitive function influences self-management. Using cognitive theories, we developed an intervention to improve medication adherence. We are now translating this intervention to an App.
Thaddeus Pace
Thaddeus Pace , PhD
Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
Associate Professor, Psychology
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Research Impact
I study mechanisms of stress-biological changes in cancer survivors who experience distress, fatigue and depression. Informed by this work, I also investigate effectiveness of novel integrative interventions for survivors designed to optimize psychosocial wellness. These include Cognitively-Based Compassion Training, a compassion meditation program, and curcumin.
Kimberly Denise Shea
Kimberly Denise Shea , PhD, RN, CHPN
Research Impact
I conduct research that combines serious illness care (palliative and hospice) and technology, primarily in residential settings. Currently, I am focusing on tele-palliative care that uses mobile device instant video conferencing to reduce stress and time to symptom reduction.
Timothy Joseph Sowicz
Timothy Joseph Sowicz , PhD, RN
Research Impact
I conduct research to facilitate personal access to health care. Presently, I concentrate on the barriers and facilitators to treatment access that Hispanic adults living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders experience.
Ruth E Taylor-Piliae
Ruth E Taylor-Piliae , PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Research Impact
My research focuses on increasing physical activity among older adults, especially those with heart disease and stroke. I use innovative interventions such as Tai Chi, to help them improve their physical and cognitive function, reduce fall rates, ameliorate negative symptoms, and enhance quality of life.