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
Terry A Badger
Terry A Badger , PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Professor
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.
Accepting PhD StudentsTracy E Crane
Tracy E Crane
Assistant Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Equity, Health Promotion
Janice D Crist
Janice D Crist , PhD, RN, FNGNA, FAAN
Associate Professor
Health Determinants Science
Border Health, Health Equity, Healthy Aging
My interdisciplinary community-based participatory research (CBPR) matches the right community health system, with the right caregiving family, at the right time. With the ENCASA Community Advisory Council, we test culturally appropriate innovations; e.g., digital “graphic-novelas” to assist minority older adults to “age in place.”
Accepting PhD StudentsEvangeline M Dowling
Evangeline M Dowling , PhD, MSN/Ed, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
Judith S Gordon
Judith S Gordon , PhD
Professor, Nursing
Health Determinants Science
Health Equity, Health Promotion
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.
Accepting PhD StudentsKathleen C Insel
Kathleen C Insel , PhD, RN
Professor
Health Determinants Science
Cognition, Healthy Aging
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.
Accepting PhD StudentsMichelle Kahn-John
Michelle Kahn-John , PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, GNP
Assistant Professor
My current research focuses on resilience and protective factors in American Indian culture, spirituality and ceremony. The foundation of my research is based on the concept of Hózhó, a Diné (Navajo) Wellness philosophy. Future research will explore ways in which American Indian cultural wisdom (as found in culture, spiritual practices and ceremony) may be implemented to elevate the physical, psychological, spiritual and social health of American Indians.
Accepting PhD StudentsMary S Koithan
Mary S Koithan , PhD, RN, CNS-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
I conduct research about whole person/whole systems wellbeing and health. My current work is focused on designing and evaluating healthcare delivery systems that employ the full spectrum of interventions to reduce symptom distress and improve individual and systems outcomes.
Accepting PhD StudentsLois J Loescher
Lois J Loescher , PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor
Health Determinants Science
Border Health, Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
I conduct cancer prevention and control research, primarily targeting skin cancer. I focus on technology-based, theory-driven behavioral interventions to: reduce individual skin cancer risk, train healthcare and service providers to reduce skin cancer risk in their clients, and educate adolescents to improve sun safety behaviors.
Accepting PhD StudentsRene Allen Love
Rene Allen Love , PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP
Clinical Associate Professor
Marylyn M McEwen
Marylyn M McEwen , PhD, PHCNS-BC, FAAN
Professor
Health Determinants Science
Border Health, Health Equity, Healthy Aging
I conduct research to decrease diabetes health disparities among adults of Mexican origin who reside in the AZ-Sonora border region. Specifically, I conduct community engaged, culturally tailored, family-based interventions targeting behavioral changes to improve type 2 diabetes self-management.
Thaddeus Wesley Warren Pace
Thaddeus Wesley Warren Pace , PhD
Assistant Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Equity, Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
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.
Accepting PhD StudentsLeslie S Ritter
Leslie S Ritter , PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
My research focuses on community-based models to support those who are living with stroke as a chronic condition. I am focused on identifying inflammatory mechanisms in the microcirculation of the brain during reperfusion after ischemic stroke.
Accepting PhD StudentsJennifer Ruel
Jennifer Ruel , DNP, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Equity, Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
Kimberly Denise Shea
Kimberly Denise Shea , PhD, RN, CHPN
Clinical Associate Professor
Health Determinants Science
Healthy Aging
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.
Accepting PhD StudentsLaura A Szalacha
Laura A Szalacha
Instructor
Health Determinants Science
Health Equity, Health Promotion
I am an applied statistician, qualitative researcher, and methodologist. She has extensive experience in NIH-funded longitudinal studies of health disparities, working particularly with underserved minority populations. My developmental psychology work has a concentrated focus on adolescent development, particularly in marginalized groups, such as LGBT youth and immigrant children.
Ruth E Taylor-Piliae
Ruth E Taylor-Piliae , PhD, RN, FAHA
Associate Professor
Health Determinants Science
Health Promotion, Healthy Aging
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.
Accepting PhD Students