Public Health Research

The faculty and students in the Division of Public Health engage in a variety of research. Learn more about the public health research areas below.

Epidemiology and public health data analysis

Dr. Haidar and Dr. Soshnikov conduct health outcome assessments using observational, cohort, census, surveys, and other data types, as well as surveillance, advanced medical statistics, and environmental epidemiology for public health governance.

EMAIL DR. SALMA HAIDAR FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recent publications

  • Hancher-Rauch, J., Blavos, A., Haidar, S., Brookins-Fisher, J., Lam, V., Afroj, T., & Thompson, A. (2024). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of health education specialists. American Journal of Health Studies, 39(1), 1-10.
  • Blavos, A., Hancher-Rauch, H., Gardener, A., Lam, V., Haidar, S., & Brookins-Fisher, B. (2024). Advocacy skill development in public health curriculum: A pilot study. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399241287207.
  • Urbaniak, E., Uzarski, R. and Haidar, S. (2024), "Assessment of sustainability awareness and practice in a campus community", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2023-0164.
  • Soshnikov S, Bekker S, Idrisov B, Vlassov V (2024). Association of Drugs for Sale on the Internet and Official Health Indicators: Darknet Parsing and Correlational Study JMIR Form Res 2024;8:e56006.
  • Batrimenko, A. V., Denisova, S., Soshnikov, S., & Tkachenko, A. (2022). The Internet search engines as an additional tool for public health surveillance: Evidence from Russia. International Journal of Health Governance, 27(2), 194-207. Emerald Publishing Limited.
  • Soshnikov S. S., Egorova A.N., Idrisova A.I., Grjibovski A.M., Atoeva M.A. Cohortprofile: The longitudinal study on the risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Russia. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Medicine, 2022, vol. 17, issue 3, pp. 191–202. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu11.2022.304.
  • Egorova, A., Soshnikov, S., & Otstavnov, S. (2021). Exploring age-sex-specific all- cause mortality trends in Russia: 2000-2017. European Journal of Public Health,31(Supplement_3), ckab165. 185. Oxford University Press.
  • Kneisel AN, Cooper MJ, Monfils AK, Haidar S, Uzarski DG: “Ecological data as a resource for invasive species management in U.S. Great Lakes coastal wetlands” Journal of Great Lakes Research August 2020, pages 910-919 Volume 46, Issue 4.
  • Animated Map Timelines: The Diffusion of Leishmaniasis, Syria 1990-1997.  Salma Haidar, Mark Wilson, and Sandra Arlinghaus. Book chapter in Spatial Thinking in Environmental Contexts: Maps, Archives, and Timelines. Sandra L. Arlinghaus, Joseph Kershi, Ann E. Larimore, Matthew Naud co-editors and co-authors.
  • Styn Jamu, James A. Johnson, Jr, Salma Haidar, Lesego Gabaitiri “Implementation Analysis of the Occupational Diseases In The Mines And Works (ODMW) Act To Manage Pneumoconiosis in Botswana”. Journal of Public Policy in Africa (JOPPA): Volume 3. Issue 2. June 2016.
  • Soshnikov S. S., Egorova A.N., Idrisova A.I., Grjibovski A.M., Atoeva M.A. Cohortprofile: The longitudinal study on the risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Russia. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Medicine, 2022, vol. 17, issue 3, pp. 191–202. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu11.2022.304.
  • Soshnikov S, Bekker S, Idrisov B, Vlassov V (2024). Association of Drugs for Sale on the Internet and Official Health Indicators: Darknet Parsing and Correlational Study JMIR Form Res 2024;8:e56006.

Prevention of infectious disease and global health

Dr. Inungu conducts research in preventing infectious and non-communicable diseases which is pivotal in shaping preventive and control measures. Research focuses on diseases of considerable global health concern, such as HIV, malaria, and other infections, and non-communicable diseases, such as substance use disorders. Dr. Inungu's research combines modeling techniques, statistical methods, and reviews of previous studies, which are instrumental in shaping policies and strategies to reduce these health threats.

EMAIL DR. JOSEPH INUNGU FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recent publications 

  • Okonji AI, Inungu JN, Akinmoladun TM, Kushion ML, Aduse-Poku L. Factors Associated with Depression Among Immigrants in the U.S. J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Jun;23(3):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01141-7. Epub 2021 Feb 5. PMID: 33544291.
  • Tamuzi JL, Ayele BT, Shumba CS, Adetokunboh OO, Uwimana-Nicol J, Haile ZT, Inungu J, Nyasulu PS. Implications of COVID-19 in high burden countries for HIV/TB: A systematic review of evidence. BMC Infect Dis. 2020 Oct 9;20(1):744. doi: 10.1186/s12879-020-05450-4.
  • Iheduru-Anderson, K. C., Agomoh, C. J., & Inungu, J. (2020). “African Born Black Nurses’ perception of their U.S. Work Environment: Race Matters.” Nursing Outlook. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.11.009.
  • Iheduru-Anderson, K. C., Akanegbu, C. O., & Inungu, J. (2020). “Outsiders in Nursing - Voices of Black African Born Nurses & Students in the US: An Integrative Review.” The Open Nursing Journal. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434602014010120.

Inequities in health and diversity and inclusion challenges, investigation of underserved communities and vulnerable groups

Dr. Jodi Brookins Fisher and Dr. Alexander-Bady conduct research to address health disparities among underserved communities and vulnerable groups, including low-income demographics, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural populations and seek to comprehend why these groups are more adversely affected by health problems related to healthcare access. Research aims to formulate strategies and community-centered initiatives that improve the availability of healthcare services and the general health status of these at-risk groups.

EMAIL DR. JODI BROOKINS FISHER FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recent publications 

  • Blavos, A., Hancher-Rauch, H., Gardner, A., Lam, V., Haidar, S., Brookins-Fisher, J., & Thompson, A. (accepted). Advocacy skill development in public health curriculum: A pilot study. Health Promotion Practice.
  • Bensley, R. J. & Brookins-Fisher, J. (2024). Textbook: Community health methods: A practitioner’s guide, 5th Edition. Boston:  Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
  • Brookins-Fisher, J. and Hancher-Rauch, H. (2024). Advocacy Skills for Health Education Specialists.  In R. J. Bensley and J. Brookins-Fisher (Eds).  Community health methods:  A practitioner’s guide, 5th edition.  Boston:  Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
  • Hancher-Rauch, H. and Brookins-Fisher, J. (2023). Advocacy terminology: Talking the talk. In Rees, K.S., Early, J. and Hampton, C. (eds) Be the Change. New York: Oxford.
  • Sherman, L.D., Cisneros-Franco, C. L., Prochnow, T., Patterson, M.S., Johannes, B.L., Alexander-Bady, J., Merianos, A.L., Bergeron, C.D., Smith, M.L. (2023). Personal agency and social support to manage health among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with diabetes. American Journal of Men’s Health. DOI: 10.1177/15579883231211057.
  • Alexander-Bady, J., Turner, M. The students are hungry: A conceptual model to understanding food insecurity among minoritized college students at urban higher education institutions. Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research, 17(Issue Special): 36-52.
  • Williams III, J. A., Richardson, S. C., Lewis, C. W., Alexander, J. (2023). Educational trauma: Investigating disciplinary risk in urban high schools as a precursor for suicide-related behaviors among Black students. Journal of Trauma Studies in Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jtse.v1i3.5037.
  • Alexander, J., Gilreath, T., Grant, M., Curran, L. (2022). Racial/Ethnic differences in chronic disease predictors among American high school students. Journal of School Health. DOI: 10.1111/josh.13218.

Youth health and development

Dr. Snyder's research includes discouraging health-risk behaviors among young people by teaching them how to avoid substance use while facilitating positive youth development. Dr. Snyder analyzes many factors to determine the social and environmental determinants of youth health and the health of the young population. Research focuses on designing and evaluating community-based interventions that motivate more positive, healthy behavior and better health outcomes among youth.

EMAIL DR. FRANK SNYDER FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recent publications

  • Reed, S. E., Kerr, D. C. R., & Snyder, F. J. (2024). Latent profile analysis of college students’ alcohol and cannabis co-use patterns after recreational cannabis legalization. Addictive Behaviors, 154. doi: 10.1016/jaddbeh.2024.108021. 
  • Majed, E., Ruiz, Y., Amireault, S., Reed, J. B., Snyder, F. J., McDonough, M. H., & Blankenship, B. (2021). Examining positive youth development interventions with a physical activity component to address bullying among pre- and young adolescents: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Early Adolescence, 42(3). doi: 10.1177/02724316211036748.  
  • Schmitt, S. A., Snyder, F., Korucu, I., Bryant, L. M., & Finders, J. K. A brief, pilot intervention enhances preschoolers’ self-regulation and food liking. (2020). Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(11). doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.08.008.
  • Inungu, [SF1] J. N., Ndeke, J. M., Jahanfar, S., Snyder, F., Odio, O. J., Okonji, A. (2020) HIV prevalence and related risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 4(1). doi: 10.29333/ejeph/5975.
  • Alexander, J., Snyder, F., Brookins-Fisher, J., Minelli, M., & Inungu (2019). Association between marijuana use and prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Health Education Monograph Series, 36 (10), 12-26. 
  • McDavid, L., McDonough, M. H., Wong, J. B., Snyder, F. J., Ruiz, Y., & Blankenshi, B. B. (2019) Associations between participation in a physical activity-based positive youth development program and academic outcomes. Journal of Adolescence, 77, 147-151. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.012.
  • Riciputi, S., McDonough, M. H., Snyder, F. J., & McDavid, L. (2019) Staff stupport promotes engagement in a physical activity-based positive youth development program for youth from low-income families. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. doi: 10.1037/spy0000169.
  • Riciputi, S., Boyer, P., McDonough, M. H., & Snyder, F. J. (2018). Formative evaluation of a pilot afterschool physical activity-based positive youth development program. Health Promotion Practice. doi: 10.1177/1524839918759956.