Other Projects
Advancing Cancer Screening and Early Detection Among People Living with HIV (PLWH)
PLWH are now living longer and older age, combined with immunological dysfunction, mean that cancer is now the primary cause for mortality in PHWH. However, most PLWH do not participate in cancer screening/early detection. Funded by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center SYNERGY grant, this project recruited patients and providers from both rural South Georgia and urban Atlanta to explore attitudes towards and facilitators and barriers for cancer screening and early detection among PLWH, as well as preferences for interventions to promote these behaviors. This project is led by Dr. Theresa Gillespie.
Citizen Science Health and Diversity
A more diverse workforce is urgently needed in STEM-related careers, particularly to address problems relevant to diverse populations. This program focuses on minority, rural, female, lower SES, and other under-represented populations in the STEM workforce by targeting middle school students in under-resourced communities and testing interventions designed to promote diversity among future STEM careers. Big Data from the National Cancer Institute forms the foundation for informal science education programs and teacher training curricula as interventions to reach this goal.
Project ACTS – About Choices in Transplantation and Sharing
The Living ACTS (About Choices in Transplantation and Sharing) Study has a long-term goal to understand the combined effect of web-based education with an electronic health systems platform on racial disparities in access to living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). With a goal of enrolling 800 patients, this randomized controlled trial will be conducted in four kidney transplant centers with a high proportion of African American candidates but relatively low rates of LDKT in the southeastern United States: the Emory Transplant Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Piedmont Transplant Institute, and Augusta University Medical Center. All four centers are at various levels of implementation of an electronic health systems platform that enhances patient-level communication between dialysis facilities and the transplant centers. Patients who are randomized to the intervention group are exposed to the Living ACTS intervention, which includes five video modules tailored for African Americans: introduction to LDKT, benefits and risks of LDKT, the kidney transplant process, identifying a potential kidney donor, and ACT Now (which provides specific tools to encourage communication with friends and family about LDKT). Patients who are randomized to the control group will view the National Kidney Foundation web site content that broadly discusses end stage renal disease and transplantation. The primary outcome is living donor inquiries. Secondary outcomes pertain to the Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills model of health behavior change. The Living ACTS Study is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
HERCULES Community Outreach and Education Program
The EPRC is co-leading the community engagement core for Emory's funded environmental health sciences research center focused on the exposome.
Intervention Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Shared Resource
The Intervention Development, Dissemination, and Implementation (IDDI) developmental shared resource gives Winship Cancer Center members access to expertise in behavioral science research methods. Drs. Kegler, Escoffery and McBride are leading this shared resource.
VAPES
Vape shop Advertising, Place characters and Effects Surveillance (VAPES) is a federally-funded research study examining the multilevel impact of regulation on e-cigarette retailers, as well as on e-cigarette marketing, specifically among vape shops, given that they are a unique retail setting that have a particular impact on e-cigarette use. This study is led by Dr. Carla Berg.
AWAKE
Achieving Wellness After Kancer in Early Life. The study is aimed at testing a technology-based, coach-assisted intervention aimed at promoting hope and goal-oriented thinking among young adults post cancer diagnosis and treatment.
AWAIT
Achieving Wellness After Illness in Teens. This study is aimed at promoting physical activity and nutrition via technology-based intervention among pediatric cancer patients post cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Past Projects
DECOY
A collaboration among several college campuses in Georgia that examines tobacco use among young adults. This study used market research to identify and characterize young adults at high-risk for tobacco use, focusing on alternative and emerging tobacco products.
MOCSIE
Matching of Consumers to Social Media Interactions on E-cigarettes. Project MOCSIE examined contextual factors (tobacco control activity, e-cigarette advertising, and Twitter activity) in relation to e-cigarette purchases, using Nielsen Consumer Panel data
CPCRN Mini-Grants Program
The Emory CPCRN awarded selected organizations in southwest Georgia with small grants and technical assistance to support the implementation of proven and promising programs and strategies for chronic disease prevention.
GA Study on the Feasibility of Linking the BCCP with GCCR and Medicare
(SIP 11-043); Kathleen Adams, PI
The purpose of this study was to increase capacity of the state of Georgia to address research questions regarding low-income women served by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP). The project linked BCCP data to the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (GCCR) and Medicare enrollment and claims data to examine whether BCCP women continue age- appropriate screening past 65, whether co-morbidities or type of Medicare coverage affects their screening patterns, and stage of disease for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
State Registries as Platform for Screening High-Risk Cancer Survivors and Families
(SIP 11-044); Joseph Lipscomb, PI
This study investigated whether and how state cancer registries can be a successful platform, or launch point, for interventions to increase guideline-adherent screening of those at elevated risk. Findings from the study were intended to inform cancer screening policies and programs, particularly at the state level.
Evaluating Special Events for Cancer Screening
(SIP 10-030); Cam Escoffery, PI
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the use of special events and evaluate the impact of special events on cancer screening and other key outcomes. Using a mixed-methods design, this study identified core elements of special events and assessed their cost-effectiveness and outcomes.
Innovative Message Framing to Increase Support for Tobacco Control Policies
(SIP 12-060) Carla Berg, PI
The objective of this study was to develop and test tobacco control policy messaging targeting diverse populations both nationally and specifically within the state of Georgia. Specific study aims were to 1) Develop and disseminate tobacco control policy (e.g., youth prevention, cessation, comprehensive public smoke-free policies) messages in collaboration with state and national stakeholders and our creative team using gain vs. loss message framing and textual, pictorial, and video strategies; and 2) Examine the effectiveness of message frames (gain vs. loss frames), differing messaging modes (textual, pictorial, video), and varying communication channels related to tobacco control policies among diverse populations.
Acceptability of Active Surveillance as a Treatment Choice for Prostate Cancer among US Men
(SIP 9-015); Theresa Gillespie, PI
This mixed-methods, collaborative study was designed to assess participants’ perceptions and attitudes towards informed decision-making (IDM) related to active surveillance (AS) and other prostate cancer therapies; to evaluate information and communication needs to promote and support IDM for early stage prostate cancer (ESPC) treatment, with specific focus on the needs of AA & underserved/rural populations; and to examine patient, spousal, provider facility, and community characteristics that impact IDM for ESPC, particularly choice of AS.
Inventory and Assessment of National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) Interventions
(SIP 1-2006); Cam Escoffery, PI
Specific project aims were to inventory NBCCEDP interventions for screening recruitment and professional development; to assess quality and effectiveness of interventions and their application of evidence-based cancer prevention and control strategies; and to disseminate assessment findings to promote implementation of effective, evidence-based interventions for screening recruitment and professional development of staff.
Determinants of Patient Dropout from Cancer Treatment and Follow-up
(SIP 7-2005); Joseph Lipscomb, PI
This was a population-based study that assessed the extent of—and factors relating to—early treatment discontinuation for cancer patients living in southwest Georgia during the first year of treatment post-diagnosis.
Prospective Study of the Effect of Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life for Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
(SIP 25-2004); Kyle Steenland, PI
A population-based longitudinal study of localized prostate cancer patients in southwest Georgia. The purpose was to determine how different patient characteristics and attitudes of family members and physicians lead to different treatment choices, and how these characteristics combined with the treatment choices lead to different perceived quality of life following treatment for prostate cancer.
Managing Epilepsy Well
(SIP 12-056); Nancy Thompson, PI
The Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) network is a thematic research network designed to address gaps in knowledge and programs related to improving epilepsy self-management and quality of life for people with epilepsy. During this funding cycle, it comprised six collaborating centers: Emory University, University of Michigan, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, University of Washington, Dartmouth College and Case Western Reserve University. The mission of the MEW Network is to advance the science related to epilepsy self-management by facilitating and implementing research, conducting research in collaboration with network members and community stakeholders, and broadly disseminating research findings.Emory conducts research related to epilepsy self-management, to depression prevention and treatment among people with epilepsy, and to the distance-delivery of self-management programs to people with epilepsy. Emory is currently engaged in the dissemination of WebEase (an on-line epilepsy self-management program) and of Project UPLIFT (a home-based intervention delivered by phone or on the Internet to prevent or treat depression among people with epilepsy). For more information visit the Managing Epilepsy Well Network website http://www.sph.emory.edu/ManagingEpilepsyWell/.
Intervention Research on Home-based Depression Treatment in People with Epilepsy
(SIP 7-2006); Nancy Thompson, PI
This project involved developing and pilot testing effectiveness of a small-group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) phone or internet delivered program to reduce depression in people with epilepsy.
Use of Computer Multimedia Technology to Develop a Theory-Driven, Interactive Chronic Disease Self-management Program (WebEase)
(SIP 2-2005); Colleen DiIorio, PI
This multi-phase project developed and pilot tested a Web-based, theory-driven self-management intervention for older adolescents and adults with epilepsy.
Contraceptive Use Among HIV+ African American Female Adolescents
(SIP 12-064); Rana Chakraborty, PI
This study characterized reproductive health practices and their effects (both biological and behavioral) in African-American HIV-infected adolescent/young adult women in Atlanta, Georgia. The study aims were to (a) implement a quantitative survey regarding contraceptive practices and sexual behaviors; (b) collect prospective biological specimens; and (c) conduct qualitative focus groups to assess knowledge of the association between contraceptive methods, behavioral factors, and biological outcomes.
Multiple Perspectives on Dual Protection Use by Young Women
(SIP 09-20); Ralph DiClemente, PI
This project was aimed at understanding the perspectives, approaches, influencers, barriers and opportunities for enhancing dual protection among young African American women to prevent unintended pregnancy (UIPs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The study sought to answer questions regarding the role of family planning clinics in increasing effective dual protection against UIPs, and which dual protection strategies would have the greatest acceptability and feasibility among clients to improve dual protection use, and in turn reduce UIPs and STDs.
Atlantic Station Study of Employee Quality of Life (SEQOL)
(SIP 11-2007); Karen Glanz, PI
This longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the physical activity, nutrition, and transport behaviors of employees who relocated their site of employment into Atlantic Station, a mixed-use redevelopment in Atlanta, Georgia. This transdisciplinary study was conducted in collaboration between researchers at Emory University, School of Public Health and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Reliability Study of the “Actions to Control High Blood Pressure”Module in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
(SIP 6-2006); Edmund Becker, PI
This study determined the validity and reliability of the survey items included in the 2005 BRFSS "Actions to Control Blood Pressure" optional module, which consisted of ten items that assessed patient self-management practices or receipt of physician advice.
Community Engagement Research Program
The EPRC co-led the Community Engagement Research Program of the Atlanta Clinical & Translational Science Institute, along with the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center for 10 years.