Population and Community Health
Engaging with communities to understand determinants of health and develop interventions to improve health outcomes.
Engaging and partnering with populations and communities in a culturally appropriate manner to understand determinants of health and develop interventions to improve health outcomes. Population and community health refers to the overall health and the distribution of health outcomes within and across communities and populations. Research in population and community health outcomes addresses the social determinants of health and health disparities to achieve health equity.
Within population and community health, our researchers are addressing topics such as cancer survivorship, management of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pain, substance use, and symptoms, and maternal-child health.
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.
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.
Shu-Fen Wung
Shu-Fen Wung , PhD, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN
Director, Nursing-Engineering Initiatives
Professor
Professor, BIO5 Institute
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Research Impact
I conduct research to help clinicians and caregivers effectively and safely use of health technologies when caring for patients who are acutely ill or with multiple chronic illness. Currently, I focus on improving interactions between nurses and medical devices to lower medical device alarms and associated sensory overload among critical care nurses to improve critical care working environment.