Advancing Health Equity Through Communication Science
Our research portfolio spans global health initiatives, US-based disparities, and foundational questions in health communication theory and practice.
The Thrive Project
Teaching Healthy Birthing through Self-Identity and Village Enactment
Black women are three to five times more likely to die from pregnancy-related trauma compared to White women. The Thrive Project aims to design an intervention that elucidates the mechanisms of social support and its potential to improve Black maternal health outcomes, with a theoretical and practical focus on the role of communication science.
Empowering Black women to navigate, survive, and thrive.
Global Health Disparities
Addressing critical health challenges in international contexts, with a focus on adolescent pregnancy and HPV/cervical cancer prevention in Jamaica and Latin America.
Evaluating culturally-targeted fear appeal messages for HPV self-sampling among Jamaican women: A qualitative formative research study
Acceptability of a multicomponent, community-based, HPV self-test intervention among Jamaican women
Cultural factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Jamaica
Applying the PEN-3 cultural model to address HIV/AIDS prevention in rural Guatemala
Stories from the field: the use of information and communication technologies to address the health needs of underserved populations in Latin America and the Caribbean
US Health Disparities
Investigating systemic inequities in the US healthcare system, including Black maternal health, clinical trial communication, and LGBT patient-provider interactions.
Reframing the experience of childbirth: Black doula communication strategies and client responses during delivery hospitalization
When race and agency collide: Examining pregnant black women’s experiences in healthcare
An evaluation of clinical trial multimedia to support Hispanic cancer patients’ informational and decision-making needs
A content analysis of the discussions about clinical trials on a cancer-dedicated online forum
Assessing Communication Practice during Clinical Trial
Answering Big Picture HD Questions
Exploring foundational questions in health disparities research, such as the efficacy of CBPR methods and communication inequalities during public health crises like COVID-19.