Julie Ober Allen, PhD, MPH | University of Oklahoma (original) (raw)

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles by Julie Ober Allen, PhD, MPH

American Journal of Men’s Health, 2019

In the United States, Black men have poorer overall health and shorter life spans than most other... more In the United States, Black men have poorer overall health and shorter life spans than most other racial/ethnic groups of men, largely attributable to chronic health conditions. Dysregulated patterns of daily cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis stress–response functioning, are linked to poor health outcomes. Questions remain regarding whether and how cortisol contributes to Black–White differences in men’s health. This exploratory study compared early day changes in cortisol levels (diurnal cortisol slopes from peak to pre-lunch levels) and their associations with medical morbidity (number of chronic medical conditions) and psychological distress (Negative Affect Scale) among 695 Black and White male participants in the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS II, 2004–2009). Black men exhibited blunted cortisol slopes relative to White men (−.15 vs. −.21, t = −2.97, p = .004). Cortisol slopes were associated with medical morbidity among Black men (b = .050, t = 3.85, p < .001), but not White men, and were unrelated to psychological distress in both groups. Findings indicate cortisol may contribute to racial health disparities among men through two pathways, including the novel finding that Black men may be more vulnerable to some negative health outcomes linked to cortisol. Further, results suggest that while cortisol may be a mechanism of physical health outcomes and disparities among older men, it may be less important for their emotional health. This study increases understanding of how race and male sex intersect to affect not only men’s lived experiences but also their biological processes to contribute to racial health disparities among men in later life.

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2018

Research on coping mechanisms among Black Americans is robust, yet there is a dearth of studies t... more Research on coping mechanisms among Black Americans is robust, yet there is a dearth of studies that use qualitative approaches to examine coping specifically among young Black men. The current and historical landscape of race relations in the United States calls for additional concern and exploration of this topic. To fill gaps in this area, this study uncovered the ways Black college men cope with various stressors that impact their mental health. Eleven qualitative interviews were conducted with 18- to 25-year-old Black men enrolled at a college in the Midwest who participated in the Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project. Data were analyzed using a rigorous and accelerated data reduction technique that involved transferring transcript data onto spreadsheets, reducing the data, and conducting a rigorous content analysis to generate themes and subthemes. Participants reported that Black college men cope with stress by discussing their issues with members of their social support networks, engaging in physical activities, and relying on themselves. Some respondents reported that they intentionally avoided dealing with their mental health, whereas others attempted to make sense of their problems. Substance use, violence, and anger were all identified as markers of unaddressed stressors. Stigma emerged as a barrier to seeking help. Study findings highlight within-group differences among Black college men. Mental health researchers must continue to develop creative ways to examine stress and coping so that resources can become more culturally relevant and readily available both within and outside of the spaces Black men occupy.

Preventive Medicine Reports, 2018

Comorbid depression and overweight or obesity increase risk for developing many chronic diseases.... more Comorbid depression and overweight or obesity increase risk for developing many chronic diseases. Investigating men of color without using a non-Hispanic White male reference group will capture a more nuanced picture of how socio-demographic factors contribute to increased risk for comorbid depression and overweight or obesity among and between men of color. This study used the U.S.-based 2014 National Health Interview Survey (n = 1363) in May 2018 to examine associations between race/ethnicity and comorbid overweight or obesity and depression in men. Men were more likely to be obese or overweight and depressed if they were older (31–54 years old and 55+) [OR = 2.387, 95% CI: 1.526, 3.873, p = 0.000; OR = 2.220, 95% CI: 1.355, 3.635, p = 0.002], Black [OR = 2.745, 95% CI: 1.622, 4.646, p < 0.001], Hispanic [OR = 2.967, 95% CI: 1.762, 4.995, p < 0.001], or earned 35,000–35,000–35,000–74,999 [OR = 1.987, 95% CI: 1.255–3.152, p = 0.004]. We identified socio-demographic sub-groups of men at increased risk for comorbid depression and overweight or obesity. Examining intra-group differences among men of color will help clinicians and researchers to address more nuanced socio-demographic characteristics of groups of men who are more at risk for developing a chronic disease.

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2016

The Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project is a Facebook-based interve... more The Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project is a Facebook-based intervention that provides mental health education and social support to young Black men. The YBMen project was created to better understand and address the pressures and needs of young Black men, particularly with regard to issues related to their conceptualization of masculinity and mental health. Black men from a 2-year liberal arts college in the Midwest (United States) enrolled in the YBMen pilot project. The purpose of this study is to report what participants in the YBMen pilot project liked and disliked about the intervention, along with their suggestions for improvement. Qualitative results from the 8 Black men who actively participated in the YBMen Facebook intervention and completed the postintervention interview are reported. A systematic analysis identified 9 subthemes that described participants&amp;amp;amp;#39; reactions to different components and characteristics of the Facebook intervention. Results indicated that opportunities for relationship building and connectivity, coupled with engaging popular culture references used in the intervention encouraged young Black men to actively participate in the YBMen Facebook intervention. The YBMen project has potential to improve the health and well-being of young Black men by providing nontraditional resources that are easily accessible, culturally sensitive, and gender-specific. Implications of the YBMen project as an effective Internet-based program that promotes mental health and increases social support among young Black men are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Gerontologist, Jan 23, 2015

Ageism is one of the most socially condoned and institutionalized forms of prejudice in the Unite... more Ageism is one of the most socially condoned and institutionalized forms of prejudice in the United States. Older adults are discriminated against in employment, health care, and other domains. Exposure to unfavorable stereotypes adversely affects the attitudes, cognitions, and behavior of older adults. Recurrent experiences with negative stereotypes combined with discrimination may make ageism a chronic stressor in the lives of older adults. The way stress influences physical health is gaining increasing support. The weathering hypothesis (Geronimus, A. T. (1992). The weathering hypothesis and the health of African-American women and infants: Evidence and speculations. Ethnicity and Disease, 2, 207-221) posits that the cumulative effects of chronic objective and subjective stressors and high-effort coping cause deterioration of the body, premature aging, and associated health problems such as chronic diseases. Researchers have found empirical support for the weathering hypothesis as...

Social science & medicine (1982), Jan 2, 2015

Stress has been implicated as a key contributor to poor health outcomes; however, few studies hav... more Stress has been implicated as a key contributor to poor health outcomes; however, few studies have examined how African American men and women explicitly describe the relationships among stress, coping, and African American men's health. In this paper, we explore strategies men use to cope with stress, and beliefs about the consequences of stress for African American men's health behaviors, morbidity and mortality from the perspectives of African American men and women. A phenomenological analytic approach was used to examine focus group data collected from 154 African American men (18 focus groups) and 77 African American women (8 focus groups). Women's perspectives were captured because women often observe men under stress and can provide support to men during stressful times. Our findings indicate that African American men in this study responded to stress by engaging in often identified coping behaviors (i.e., consumption of calorie dense food, exercise, spiritually-...

The Journal of community and supportive oncology, 2014

Cancer-related distress impacts quality of care, resource use, and patient outcomes. Patients are... more Cancer-related distress impacts quality of care, resource use, and patient outcomes. Patients are increasingly screened for distress, yet many do not receive coping resources and psychosocial support services that may help to reduce their distress. Distress screening must be paired with attention to the different phases of the distress and coping process, with emphasis on barriers and facilitators of cancer patients' use of coping resources. This paper offers a conceptual model illustrating key pathways and modifying factors of distress and use of coping resources among cancer patients, and potential roles for cancer care providers and institutions in facilitating effective coping and distress reduction. Building on a review of relevant empirical and theoretical literature, we developed a conceptual model that integrates concepts from Stress and Coping Theory into the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's guidelines for Distress Management. We found that barriers and facil...

Health Education & Behavior, 2014

Despite the important contribution increasing physical activity levels may play in reducing chron... more Despite the important contribution increasing physical activity levels may play in reducing chronic disease morbidity and mortality, there is a paucity of interventions and research indicating how to improve physical activity levels in African American men. Men on the Move was a pilot study to increase African American men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s levels of physical activity by improving access to age and ability-appropriate, male-focused physical activity opportunities and facilitating access to social support from male peers. Forty-one African American men ages 35 to 70 enrolled (mean age = 53.8). Groups of 5 to 10 men met once a week with a certified personal trainer for 10 weeks. Each meeting addressed barriers to physical activity, provided men with community resources, and incorporated activities that promoted flexibility, strength, balance, and conditioning. Improvements (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .05) were detected for the following outcome measures: perceived self-efficacy to sustain physical activity, endurance, overall health status, and stress level. Physiological and fitness outcome measures improved, although not to significant levels. Whereas 40% of the men met the recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly at baseline, 68% of the men met this recommendation by the end of the project. These positive results attest to the feasibility of successfully engaging middle-aged and older African American men in a physical activity intervention, and our findings demonstrate the initial efficacy of this intervention approach. More research is needed that includes a more intensive intervention and one that helps motivate men to be physically active outside of the structured, small-group sessions.

Health Psychology, 2013

Women play a critical role in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp... more Women play a critical role in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s dietary health, but how men think about the nature and mechanisms of their wives&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; influence on their eating behavior is not well understood. This study examined how African American men described the roles their wives played in shaping their eating behavior. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with a convenience sample of 83 African American men who were middle aged or older and lived in southeast Michigan. Men perceived having more freedom to choose what they ate while eating out, even when accompanied by their wives, compared with at home. The men indicated their wives influenced what they ate at home more than their own preferences. They described traditional gendered food roles at home and were satisfied that their wives played a dominant role in household food preparation and decision making. Men had mixed feelings about wives&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; efforts to prepare healthier meals. While they appreciated that their wives cared about their health, the men felt they were rarely consulted on how meals could be healthier and often disliked the healthy changes their wives made. The men prioritized keeping their wives happy, preserving spousal division of roles, and maintaining marital harmony over participating in food decision making or expressing their personal food preferences. Interventions to improve married African American men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s eating behaviors need to explicitly consider that men may prioritize marital harmony and the preservation of spousal food roles over their tastes, preferences, and desired food decision making roles.

American Journal of Men's Health, 2013

Thematic analysis of data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with 71 middle-aged and ol... more Thematic analysis of data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with 71 middle-aged and older African American men and eight focus groups with 77 key women in their lives revealed how social norms and modeling of physical activity influenced men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s motivation to exercise. Both men and women identified male peers as an important source of ideas, encouragement, and support to initiate and sustain physical activity, yet sedentary peers also could contribute to men being less motivated to be active. The primary difference in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s and women&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s perspectives was that men attributed their decline in activity levels to difficulties in finding time for physical activity, whereas women attributed sedentary lifestyles to an increase in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s physical illnesses and ailments. Men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s participation in team sports and overall activity levels diminished with age. Peer social support can be critical for interventions to help African American men engage in and sustain physical activity.

Health Promotion Practice, 2013

This article examines determinants and patterns of African American men's dietary practices. Them... more This article examines determinants and patterns of African American men's dietary practices. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with 83 urban, middle-aged and older African American men from southeast Michigan. The men distinguished between healthy and unhealthy foods and "meals" versus other instances of eating. Eating patterns and content differed depending on the meal, work and family schedules, food availability, and whether it was a weekday or weekend. When eating alone or outside the home, men prioritized convenience and preferences for tasty, unhealthy foods. Men often reported skipping breakfast or lunch and grabbing snacks or fast food during the day. They emphasized sharing dinner with their spouses and families-usually a home-cooked, "healthy" meal. On weekends, spouses often cooked less and men snacked and dined out more frequently. Sunday dinners involving favorite, unhealthy comfort foods were the highlight of men's eating practices. African American men tended not to follow healthy eating recommendations because of their busy lives, reliance on spouses to prepare food, and preferences for unhealthy foods. These findings suggest that healthy eating interventions must consider how the contexts of African American men's lives shape their eating practices.

American Journal of Men's Health, 2012

Few researchers have examined where African American men obtain, process, and use health informat... more Few researchers have examined where African American men obtain, process, and use health information. A thematic analysis of data from eighteen exploratory focus groups conducted with 154 urban African American men aged 32 years and older revealed that men received health information from a variety of sources, including health professionals, media, and members of their social networks. At times, information raised their awareness of health issues, but trust in the source of the information influenced how this information was perceived. Medical professionals were the most common source of health information, but family members were the most trusted source of health information. Health problems and social support increased men’s motivation to use health information in order to improve their health and healthy behaviors. These findings illustrate that it is critical to identify factors that influence what information men choose to believe and follow or decide to ignore.

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2012

YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based HIV prevention pilot program designed to increase fait... more YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based HIV prevention pilot program designed to increase faith-based organizations' capacity to address HIV/AIDS among African American congregations. Faith leaders (e.g., pastors, pastors' spouses) were trained to deliver youth and adult HIV education sessions. Perceptions of comfort with discussing 11 sexual health topics were assessed after program implementation. Twenty-nine faith leaders self-reported their comfort discussing sexual behaviors, sexual communication, and sexual abuse. Overall, faith leaders were comfortable discussing these sexual health topics; however, denominational and leadership role differences were found. These findings suggest African American faith leaders are willing to lead faith-based HIV prevention efforts, but that consideration of denominational differences and organizational roles in faith-based health promotion programs is critical.

Research on Social Work Practice, 2011

... Derek M. Griffith1, Julie Ober Allen1, and Katie Gunter1 ... Wright, &amp; Everhart, ... more ... Derek M. Griffith1, Julie Ober Allen1, and Katie Gunter1 ... Wright, &amp; Everhart, 2005), and they tend to delay seeking medical care until symptoms arise or begin to significantly interfere with their lives (Allen, Kennedy, Wilson-Glover, &amp; Gilligan, 2007; Ravenell, Whitaker, &amp; Johnson ...

Health Education & Behavior, 2011

R. Shabsigh). Background: In the United States, National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the larges... more R. Shabsigh). Background: In the United States, National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest non-commercial funder of biomedical research. Funding of specific disease categories is partly dependent on burden of disease. We examined current gender-specific research funding by the NIH with common measures of burdens of disease. Methods: In a cross sectional study, we compared estimates of diseasespecific and gender-specific research funding by the NIH in 2006 with data on 4 measures of the burden of disease. The measures were incidence rate, prevalence, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY). Using mortality rate and DALY as explanatory variables in a regression analysis, predicted funding was calculated and compared with actual funding. In addition, funding to mortality ratios for gender-specific diseases were compared. Results: Mortality was weakly associated (r = 0.47, p = 0.001), whereas disability-adjusted life-years was strongly associated (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) with NIH research funding. For gender-specific funding, NIH breast cancer research funding continues to rise and it is twice as much as prostate cancer research funding. Mean funding to mortality ratio for breast cancer research (30.6:1) is significantly higher than prostate cancer research (14.1:1) (p < 0.001). Funding to mortality ratio is the highest for cervical cancer research (40.1:1) and the lowest for uterine cancer research (6.8:1). When disability-adjusted life-years and mortality were used to predict expected funding, both prostate cancer and breast cancer are over funded as compared to the respective measures of burden of disease. However, over funding for breast cancer is 3.6 times greater than that for prostate cancer. Conclusions: Gender-specific research funding shows a pattern of underfunding for men's health research relative to women's health research. Addressing this gender disparity objectively may provide equal dispersal of funding. Considering the cross-gender effects of burden of disease, correcting the gender disparity and providing a more equitable distribution of research funding will benefit everyone. (D.M. Griffith). Background: Despite the potential health consequences, African American men tend to treat their roles as providers, fathers, spouses, and community members as more important than engaging in health behaviors such as physical activity. Methods: We conducted thematic content analysis of data derived from 14 focus groups with 110 urban, middle aged African American men from the Midwest, U.S.A. Results: The findings revealed three interrelated barriers to physical activity: (a) work, family, and community commitments and priorities limited time and motivation for engaging in physical activity; (b) physical activity was not a normative individual or social activity and contributed to men prioritizing work and family responsibilities over physical activity; and (c) the effort men exerted in seeking to fulfill the provider role limited their motivation and energy to engage in physical activity. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for physical activity interventions that consider how health fits in the context of men's overall lives. (H.V. Jensen).

Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2011

The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs; including HIV/AIDS) among African Americans i... more The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs; including HIV/AIDS) among African Americans in Flint, Michigan, are among the highest in the state. In Genesee County, where Flint is located, the incidence of HIV/AIDS cases increased at an average rate of 24% each year from 2003 to 2007 for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19. YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a multilevel, faith-based HIV prevention program designed to increase HIV awareness and knowledge and reduce HIV risk behaviors among African American congregations. This article describes one of the five components of the intervention--training of faith leaders to implement a sexual health curriculum for adolescents in their congregations. Staff from YOUR Center, a community-based HIV service organization, and researchers from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, partnered with faith-based organizations (FBOs) to address HIV/AIDS in Flint, Michigan. Participating FBOs selected faith leaders to be trained b...

Journal of Community Psychology, 2010

This study examined associations between participation in community gardening/beautification proj... more This study examined associations between participation in community gardening/beautification projects and neighborhood meetings with perceptions of social capital at both the individual and neighborhood levels. Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional stratified random telephone survey conducted in Flint, Michigan (N51916). Hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses were used to study associations, controlling for individual and Census block group-level confounders. At the individual level, household involvement in community gardening/ beautification activities and in neighborhood meetings were associated with residents' perceptions of bonding social capital, linking social capital, and neighborhood norms and values. Household involvement in gardening/beautification and meetings had stronger associations with residents' perceptions of social capital than did neighborhood-level involvement measures. Results suggest involvement in neighborhood meetings augment the individual and neighborhood-wide perceptions of social capital associated with community gardening and beautification projects. Neighborhood community gardens' impact on neighborhood residents' perceptions of social capital can be enhanced by neighborhoodwide meetings. C

The Journal of Primary Prevention, 2010

Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)

African American faith-based institutions are not necessarily equipped to balance their moral and... more African American faith-based institutions are not necessarily equipped to balance their moral and spiritual missions and interpretation of religious doctrine with complex health issues such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based, six-month pilot project designed to increase the capacity of faith-based institutions and faith leaders to address HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 11- to 19-year-old African Americans. In addition to increasing the knowledge and skills of young people, the intervention seeks to change churches' norms to provide more open settings where young people can talk with faith leaders about sex, relationships, STIs, and HIV/AIDS. YBH expands the roles of adult faith leaders, particularly pastors' spouses, to include health education as they implement the intervention in their congregations and communities. The intervention includes a flexible menu ...

American Journal of Men’s Health, 2019

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2018

Preventive Medicine Reports, 2018

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2016

The Gerontologist, Jan 23, 2015

Social science & medicine (1982), Jan 2, 2015

The Journal of community and supportive oncology, 2014

Health Education & Behavior, 2014

Health Psychology, 2013

American Journal of Men's Health, 2013

Health Promotion Practice, 2013

American Journal of Men's Health, 2012

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2012

Research on Social Work Practice, 2011

Health Education & Behavior, 2011

Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2011

Journal of Community Psychology, 2010

The Journal of Primary Prevention, 2010

Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)

Men’s Health Equity: A Handbook, 2019

Volume edited by Griffith, D.G., Bruce, M.A., & Thorpe, R.J.

Boys and Men in African American Families , 2016

Volume edited by Burton, L., Burton, D., McHale, S.M., King, V., & Van Hook, J.

Cancer Disparities: Causes and Evidence-Based Solutions, 2012

Volume edited by Elk, R., & Landrine, H.

JAMA Network Open

IMPORTANCE Major incidents of ageism have been shown to be associated with poorer health and well... more IMPORTANCE Major incidents of ageism have been shown to be associated with poorer health and well-being among older adults. Less is known about routine types of age-based discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping that older adults encounter in their day-today lives, known as everyday ageism. OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of everyday ageism, group differences and disparities, and associations of everyday ageism with indicators of poor physical and mental health. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study was conducted using survey data from the December 2019 National Poll on Healthy Aging among a nationally representative household sample of US adults ages 50 to 80 years. Data were analyzed from November 2021 through April 2022. EXPOSURES Experiences of everyday ageism were measured using the newly developed multidimensional Everyday Ageism Scale. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Fair or poor physical health, number of chronic health conditions, fair or poor mental health, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Among 2035 adults ages 50 to 80 years (1047 [54.2%] women; 192 Black [10.9%], 178 Hispanic [11.4%], and 1546 White [71.1%]; mean [SD] age, 62.6 [8.0] years [weighted statistics]), most participants (1915 adults [93.4%]) reported regularly experiencing 1 or more forms of everyday ageism. Internalized ageism was reported by 1664 adults (81.2%), ageist messages by 1394 adults (65.2%), and interpersonal ageism by 941 adults (44.9%). Mean Everyday Ageism Scale scores were higher for several sociodemographic groups, including adults ages 65 to 80 years vs those ages 50 to 64 years (11.23 [95%

APHA's 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov. 2 - Nov. 6), Nov 4, 2019

My deepest thanks go my dissertation committee members, Cleopatra Howard Caldwell (cochair and my... more My deepest thanks go my dissertation committee members, Cleopatra Howard Caldwell (cochair and my doctoral program advisor), Daphne C. Watkins (co-chair and primary mentor), Linda Chatters, and Vicki Johnson-Lawrence, for their invaluable support, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback. I cannot convey how much you have contributed to this dissertation research and my development as a scholar. I also thank my colleagues, community partners, and friends in the

Patient Education and Counseling, 2021

OBJECTIVE To explore the perspectives of coaches and participant alumni of the YMCA Diabetes Cont... more OBJECTIVE To explore the perspectives of coaches and participant alumni of the YMCA Diabetes Control Program (DCP) to inform the development of a peer support component of the DCP for sustained diabetes self-management. METHODS Coaches (n = 2) and alumni (n = 38) participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups regarding their experiences with the DCP and anticipated challenges and strengths of incorporating alumni peer support into the program. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis to identify topics related to peer support. RESULTS Six topics emerged related to strengths and weaknesses of the coach and peer roles, including how those roles influenced motivation and accountability in self-management. Both roles provide encouragement for sustained behavior change, particularly in the face of setbacks. Interest in becoming an alumni peer supporter was strongly related to a sense of reciprocity and potential for mutual benefit, while concerns centered on unclear expectations and a desire for formal training. CONCLUSION Program alumni saw value in continued formal contact not only with their coaches, but with fellow peers, as part of their sustained diabetes self-management and anticipated reciprocal benefits. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Findings illustrate opportunities for, and the value of, incorporating alumni peer support into hierarchical coach-led diabetes self-management programs.

American Journal of Men's Health, 2020

Conventional definitions of mental health, manhood, and social support create barriers to accessi... more Conventional definitions of mental health, manhood, and social support create barriers to accessing behavioral health care for Black men ages 18 to 30. Targeted behavioral health interventions sensitive to culture, social norms, and gender that circumvent these barriers are desperately needed to improve access and integrated care for this group. This article reports mixed methods findings from the 2017 iteration of the Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project, a social media–based, psychoeducational program that promotes mental health, progressive definitions of manhood, and sustainable social support for Black men. Young Black men ( n = 350) across two universities in the Midwest completed baseline surveys on their mental health, definitions of manhood, and social support. Forty of the men participated in the YBMen intervention and at postintervention reported experiencing fewer depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, Z = −2.05, p &l...

Ethnicity & Disease, 2020

Objective: Psychological distress and physiological dysregulation represent two stress response ... more Objective: Psychological distress and physiological dysregulation represent two stress response pathways linked to poor health and are implicated in racial disparities in aging-related health outcomes among US men. Less is known about how coping relates to these stress responses. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine whether midlife and older men’s coping strategies and behaviors accounted, in part, for Black-White disparities in men’s psychological and physiological stress responses.Methods: We examined racial differences in 12 coping strategies (COPE Inventory subscales, religious/spiritual coping, and behaviors such as stress eating and substance use) and their relationships with psychological distress (Negative Affect scale) and physiological dysregulation (blunted diurnal cortisol slopes) using regression models and cross-sectional data from 696 Black and White male participants aged 35-85 years in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United Sta...

The Diabetes Educator, 2020

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing participant engagement in a... more Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing participant engagement in a community-based diabetes self-management program (DSMP), with a focus on the needs of underserved groups (eg, racial/ethnic minorities, low income). Methods Focus groups were conducted with participants (n = 22) from the YMCA of Greater Richmond’s Diabetes Control Program, who were recruited using a purposeful sampling frame to capture a range of experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with lay health coaches (n = 3). The RADaR qualitative analysis technique was used to identify themes related to factors across the continuum of engagement. Results Fear affected program enrollment and retention in complex ways. Peers and coaches were important for social support and accountability. The length of the program (12 weeks), accessible information, practical skill building, and emphasis on making small, feasible improvements in pursuit of larger goals were identified as critical for en...

Innovation in Aging, 2019

Various mental and physical health conditions common among older adults have been linked to corti... more Various mental and physical health conditions common among older adults have been linked to cortisol dysregulation (i.e., blunting of daily cortisol patterns) in predominantly cross-sectional studies. Researchers have suggested that cortisol dysregulation interferes with regulatory functions throughout the body and brain, disrupting multiple biological systems, and contributing to the development or progression of negative health outcomes over time. Prospective studies are needed to investigate the causal direction of cortisol dysregulation and poor health outcomes. This study examined whether diurnal cortisol patterns predicted subsequent health deterioration using longitudinal data from the National Survey of Midlife in the US (MIDUS). Analysis was restricted to 1,336 participants who provided salivary cortisol (4 samples/day for 4 days) and health data in MIDUS II (2004-2009) and updated health data in MIDUS III (2013-2014) (mean age=56, 45% male, 94% White). We simultaneous mode...

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2019

Objective Blunted patterns of daily cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA... more Objective Blunted patterns of daily cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response system dysregulation, are implicated in poor health outcomes and racial health disparities. It is unknown how coping-an important, but understudied, component of the stress-health disparities relationship-relates to these biological mechanisms of health. Methods This study investigated relationships, including racial differences, between 12 coping strategies and early-day cortisol changes (diurnal cortisol slopes from peak to before lunch) among 700 35-85-year-old Black and White male participants in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II. Cognitive-oriented (e.g., positive reinterpretation, denial, religious/spiritual) and behavioral (e.g., stress eating, substance use) coping strategies were examined. Results Overall, Black and White men used similar coping strategies. Most coping strategies were not associated with men's cortisol slopes. Religious/spiritual coping was associated with steeper (more robust) cortisol slopes among White (b = − 0.004, t = − 3.28, p = 0.001) but not Black men. Drug use was associated with steeper cortisol slopes among Black (b = − 0.095, t = − 2.87, p = 0.004) but not White men. Conclusions This exploratory study increases our understanding of relationships between coping and stress-related biological mechanisms underlying racial health disparities among men in later life. With some notable exceptions, men's coping strategies were not associated with their diurnal cortisol slopes. This suggests that the coping strategies currently used by older Black and White men may not be important factors, as determinants or intervention targets, in disparities in diurnal cortisol slopes and associated health outcomes among men in this age group. Keywords Health status disparities. Coping skills. Coping behaviors. Men's health. Cortisol. African Americans Racial disparities in morbidity and mortality among men in the USA are well documented [1]. The average life expectancy for Black men continues to lag behind White and Latino men (71.5 years compared with 76.1 and 79.1 years, respectively), and the gender gap is even wider [2]. Although Black

American Journal of Men's Health, 2019

Innovation in Aging, 2018

Preventive Medicine Reports, 2018

The American journal of orthopsychiatry, Jan 18, 2018

The Journal of Primary Prevention, 2010

One of the biggest challenges facing racial health disparities research is identifying how and wh... more One of the biggest challenges facing racial health disparities research is identifying how and where to implement effective, sustainable interventions. Community-based organizations (CBOs) and community-academic partnerships are frequently utilized as vehicles to conduct community health promotion interventions without attending to the viability and sustainability of CBOs or capacity inequities among partners. Utilizing organizational empowerment theory, this paper describes an intervention designed to increase the capacity of CBOs and community-academic partnerships to implement strategies to improve community health. The Capacity Building project illustrates how capacity building interventions can help to identify community health needs, promote community empowerment, and reduce health disparities. Keywords Community-based participatory research Á Capacity building Á Community-based organizations Á Health disparities In the US, racial inequities in health are substantial despite unprecedented resources and interventions committed to reducing and eliminating racial disparities (Griffith et al. 2006; Williams and Braboy-Jackson 2005). Addressing racial health disparities is challenging in large part because health behaviors and health outcomes are rooted in distal and pervasive disparities in education, justice, social and political power, and economics (

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2012

YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based HIV prevention pilot program designed to increase fait... more YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based HIV prevention pilot program designed to increase faith-based organizations&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; capacity to address HIV/AIDS among African American congregations. Faith leaders (e.g., pastors, pastors&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; spouses) were trained to deliver youth and adult HIV education sessions. Perceptions of comfort with discussing 11 sexual health topics were assessed after program implementation. Twenty-nine faith leaders self-reported their comfort discussing sexual behaviors, sexual communication, and sexual abuse. Overall, faith leaders were comfortable discussing these sexual health topics; however, denominational and leadership role differences were found. These findings suggest African American faith leaders are willing to lead faith-based HIV prevention efforts, but that consideration of denominational differences and organizational roles in faith-based health promotion programs is critical.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2008

AIDS Education and Prevention, 2010

Despite substantial federal, state, and local efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS, Afr... more Despite substantial federal, state, and local efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS, African Americans experience higher rates of infection than any other ethnic or racial group in the United States. It is imperative to develop culturally and ecologically sensitive interventions to meet the sexual health needs of this population. Capitalizing on the assets, resources, and strengths of faith-based organizations, YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a community-based participatory research project developed to increase HIV/ AIDS awareness and reduce HIV-related stigma among the African American faith community in Flint, Michigan. This article describes the historical context and development of YBH, discusses the results of the pilot study, and illustrates how YBH grew into a community mobilization effort led by faith leaders and their congregations to address HIV/AIDS. YBH highlights the importance of developing and testing intervention models that originate from community-based organizations to address complex and sensitive health issues among marginalized populations.

Male peers influence men's motivation and engagement in physical activity. This presentation ... more Male peers influence men's motivation and engagement in physical activity. This presentation examines how men and women perceive men's physical activity to be affected by male peers' influence on social support, the social environment, and social norms. Nine exploratory focus groups with 71 middle-aged and older African American men and eight focus groups with 77 important women in their lives were conducted in three southeast Michigan cities. Thematic content analysis revealed that peers often provided critical social support motivating men to initiate and maintain physical activity; conversely, the negative influence of sedentary peers or a lack of peer support inhibited motivation. Social norms surrounding physical activity and social modeling also influenced men's motivation to be physically active: men who were around active peers were more motivated to be physically active than those who were not. Men were less likely to be involved in sports and other social p...

Some methods for coping with stress can have negative health effects, and African American men ha... more Some methods for coping with stress can have negative health effects, and African American men have not typically responded to messages that promote healthy strategies for coping with life stressors. This presentation explores how African American men and key women in their lives describe 1) the influence of stress on health behaviors, 2) the effects of stress on physical and mental health, and 3) the benefits of healthy strategies for coping with stress. We used thematic content analysis to examine data from 18 exploratory focus groups with 154 African American men, ages 30 and older, and eight groups with 77 African American women. Men discussed mental health benefits of coping with stress including relaxation and clarity of mind. Men and women reported changes in men's diet as a result of stress with some men eating more and others eating less. The relationship between stress and eating has not typically been explored in the context of African American men's health. Simil...

Introduction. Most African American men consume only ⅓ of the recommended daily servings of fruit... more Introduction. Most African American men consume only ⅓ of the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables (F&V). Low levels of F&V consumption among this population may be partially attributable to the social and physical conditions of the communities in which they grew up and currently live. This presentation examines how these conditions create a constellation of risk factors that may impede F&V consumption. Methods. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data from 7 exploratory focus groups conducted with 57 African American men and 8 exploratory focus groups conducted with 77 African American women in southeastern Michigan. All focus group participants were middle-aged and older adults who discussed predictors of F&V consumption among African American men. Results. Men highlighted their upbringing as a critical determinant of their current F&V consumption. They indicated that being raised in rural communities and having fruit trees and gardens readil...

National Symposium on Family Issues, 2016

Background: Gender and racial disparities in psychological distress, chronic health conditions, a... more Background: Gender and racial disparities in psychological distress, chronic health conditions, and functional limitations are well documented. Relationships between these variables are believed to be complex, yet they have not been established for men or compared for men of different racial groups. Methods: Using data from 6,946 White and 1,067 Black men in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, we used race-stratified regression analyses to examine the relationships between number of chronic health conditions, functional limitations, and psychological distress. Results: Number of chronic conditions and functional limitations were independently associated with psychological distress for White and Black men at similar levels (p-values < .001). However, functional limitations moderated the relationship between chronic conditions and distress for Black men (p < .001) but not White men. Conclusions: Chronic conditions and functional limitations affect psychological distress d...

Health behavior interventions have tended to focus more on Black Americans' food preparation ... more Health behavior interventions have tended to focus more on Black Americans' food preparation and access to physical activity than where health fits in the context of their lives. Black men's personal health is often considered a low priority until health problems impair more highly valued aspects of their lives or social roles (e.g., provider, father, spouse). Gendered cultural and social demands present unique stressors in the lives of Black men and constrain their opportunities and efforts to prioritize diet and physical activity. This presentation describes data from 14 exploratory focus groups examining factors that influence Black men's eating behaviors and physical activity that were conducted with 110 urban men with a mean age of 55 from Flint and Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thematic content analysis reveals that gendered and cultural responsibilities and roles, which Black men describe as a hierarchy of responsibilities, influence how men prioritize employment and famil...

While there is consensus that health promotion programs should be culturally sensitive, it is les... more While there is consensus that health promotion programs should be culturally sensitive, it is less clear how interventions can be more gender sensitive. Gender influences health and intersects with other known determinants of health to play an important role in health behavior; male gender, however, remains a critical but understudied factor that impacts men's health practices and interventions. In this presentation, we describe the process we used to develop Men 4 Health: an intervention designed to improve African American men's healthy eating and physical activity by considering and addressing gendered, ethnic and environmental factors. We combined intersectional and community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches with exploratory focus group data collection to tailor this intervention to the lives of urban, African American men in southeast Michigan. In addition to considering behavior-specific motivation and other psychological factors, Men 4 Health was designe...

In 2009, the rate of infant mortality among American Indians in Michigan was more than 50% higher... more In 2009, the rate of infant mortality among American Indians in Michigan was more than 50% higher than the White infant mortality rate. While we often try to explain these disparities by focusing on individual risk factors and behaviors, this presentation illustrates how political, historical and social factors affect American Indian infant mortality and racial disparities in infant mortality. We created a conceptual framework and a Google Earth map to illustrate how historical and cultural factors influence the health of American Indians in the state. The policies, practices, and ideological foundation accompanying the colonization of North America affected the physical, social, and cultural environments of American Indians. By mapping the layers that show traditional tribal territories, current locations of tribal nations, and healthcare resources we were able to illustrate the cumulative effect of historical and sociopolitical factors on modern American Indian infant mortality. E...

YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a health education program designed to increase the capacity of fait... more YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a health education program designed to increase the capacity of faithbased organizations to address HIV/AIDS among African American congregations. Pastors, pastors' spouses, and other faith leaders participated in a 16-hour initial training to gain knowledge and skills to facilitate youth and adult HIV education sessions in their churches. In the YBH program, faith leaders had some flexibility in how they presented topics they felt uncomfortable discussing with youth and adults. The purpose of this study was to assess potential denominational differences in comfort level discussing key sexual health behaviors. YBH program facilitators (N=25) representing seven denominations and twenty-three churches were administered a questionnaire assessing their comfort level discussing anal, vaginal, and oral sex on a 4-point scale where 1=not comfortable and 4=very comfortable. Overall, faith leaders were comfortable discussing sexual health behaviors in their c...

Extant literature on the health of African American (AA) men suggests that stress plays a critica... more Extant literature on the health of African American (AA) men suggests that stress plays a critical role in a number of their health outcomes. Few studies, however, have examined AA men and women's beliefs about the consequences of stress on AA men's health or the perceived acceptability of strategies AA men use to cope with stress. Interventions should consider how beliefs about stress, health, and gendered norms shape perceptions of acceptable coping strategies. This study explores these issues with an intersectional approach using qualitative data from African American men and key women in their lives. Thematic content analysis was used to examine data from 18 exploratory focus groups with 154 African American men, ages 30 and older, and eight groups with 77 African American women. There were a number of similarities and differences in men's and women's perceptions that highlight potential roles and strategies for men and women to help men reduce stress. Physical a...

Few researchers have examined where African American men obtain, process, and use health informat... more Few researchers have examined where African American men obtain, process, and use health information. A thematic analysis of data from eighteen exploratory focus groups conducted with 154 urban African American men aged 32 years and older revealed that men received health information from a variety of sources, including health professionals, media, and members of their social networks. At times, information raised their awareness of health issues, but trust in the source of the information influenced how this information was perceived. Medical professionals were the most common source of health information, but family members were the most trusted source of health information. Health problems and social support increased men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s motivation to use health information in order to improve their health and healthy behaviors. These findings illustrate that it is critical to identify factors that influence what information men choose to believe and follow or decide to ignore.

Accessing and utilizing health information is a critical component of health behavior change. Few... more Accessing and utilizing health information is a critical component of health behavior change. Few studies, however, have examined where African American men get health information and what influences how they utilize that information to guide their health practices. Using data from eighteen exploratory focus groups conducted with 154 urban African American men ages 30 and older living in Flint, Ypsilanti, and Detroit, Michigan, thematic analysis revealed that men received solicited and unsolicited health information from a variety of sources including health care professionals, media (books, newspapers, television), and members of their social network (church members, peers, family). Men's utilization of health information received varied. Several men reported receiving health information that increased their awareness of health issues, but did not lead them to change their behavior. A number of men mentioned that being diagnosed with a health problem, family values and commitme...

Research has shown that physical activity plays an important role in the etiology of chronic dise... more Research has shown that physical activity plays an important role in the etiology of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer; all of which disproportionately affect African American men. Yet, there is a paucity of interventions and research indicating how to improve physical activity levels among this group. Men on the Move was a pilot study to increase men's physical activity levels by: 1) improving access to age-appropriate, male-focused physical activity opportunities, and 2) facilitating social support from male peers. African American men who were 35 years old or older and resided in southeast Michigan were eligible for the study. Forty-one African American men enrolled (mean age of 53.8). Groups of 5-10 men met once a week with a certified personal trainer for 10 weeks. Each meeting addressed barriers to physical activity, provided men with community resources, and incorporated activities that promoted flexibility, strength, balance and conditioning....

YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a health education program designed to increase the capacity of fait... more YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a health education program designed to increase the capacity of faith-based organizations to address HIV/AIDS among African American adolescents. YBH is a community-based participatory research project between YOUR Center, a faith-based HIV/AIDS service organization, researchers from the University of Michigan, and African American churches in Flint, Michigan. This presentation will describe the findings of an YBH evaluation and discuss the implications of the findings for faith-based HIV prevention programs. YBH staff administered pre- and post- intervention surveys to 132 adolescents from 11 churches to assess condom use, knowledge of the reproductive system and HIV/AIDS myths, communication skills, and decision making. Paired sample T-Tests comparing the pretest to the posttest revealed a significant increase in reproductive knowledge and ability to identify HIV/AIDS myths. There also were positive correlations between participants' decision makin...

Over the last decade, obesity has increased significantly among African American men. This presen... more Over the last decade, obesity has increased significantly among African American men. This presentation describes how African American men conceptualize healthy and unhealthy eating, define different meals and consider the factors that influence their eating patterns. We conducted a thematic analysis of nine exploratory focus groups with 83 middle-aged, urban African American men in southeast Michigan. In these focus groups, men described healthy meals as ones that included vegetables, organic ingredients, salt substitutes, and poultry, and unhealthy meals as those that were fried and contained fatty meats and salty seasonings. Unhealthy foods were thought to taste better than healthy foods. Meals were defined as eating with others and including a protein source. Due to demanding weekday responsibilities, men reported skipping breakfast and either being too busy to eat lunch or eating fast food. They emphasized the importance of dinner with their spouse during the work week, which w...

... 47(3) METHODS OF ASSESSING HEALTH AND DIET OF FLORIDA PANTHERS (Puma concolor ... For example... more ... 47(3) METHODS OF ASSESSING HEALTH AND DIET OF FLORIDA PANTHERS (Puma concolor ... For example, animal pelts may now be analyzed for the environmental toxins they store, and skeletons provide a permanent historic record of diet, illness, trauma, or past injury. ...

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2007

The primary endosymbiotic bacteria from three species of parasitic primate lice were characterize... more The primary endosymbiotic bacteria from three species of parasitic primate lice were characterized molecularly. We have confirmed the characterization of the primary endosymbiont (P-endosymbiont) of the human head/body louse Pediculus humanus and provide new characterizations of the P-endosymbionts from Pediculus schaeffi from chimpanzees and Pthirus pubis, the pubic louse of humans. The endosymbionts show an average percent sequence divergence of 11 to 15% from the most closely related known bacterium "Candidatus Arsenophonus insecticola." We propose that two additional species be added to the genus "Candidatus Riesia." The new species proposed within "Candidatus Riesia" have sequence divergences of 3.4% and 10 to 12% based on uncorrected pairwise differences. Our Bayesian analysis shows that the branching pattern for the primary endosymbionts was the same as that for their louse hosts, suggesting a long coevolutionary history between primate lice and their primary endosymbionts. We used a calibration of 5.6 million years to date the divergence between endosymbionts from human and chimpanzee lice and estimated an evolutionary rate of nucleotide substitution of 0.67% per million years, which is 15 to 30 times faster than previous estimates calculated for Buchnera, the primary endosymbiont in aphids. Given the evidence for cospeciation with primate lice and the evidence for fast evolutionary rates, this lineage of endosymbiotic bacteria can be evaluated as a fast-evolving marker of both louse and primate evolutionary histories.

BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2010

Background: Sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are obligate, permanent ectoparasites of euther... more Background: Sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are obligate, permanent ectoparasites of eutherian mammals, parasitizing members of 12 of the 29 recognized mammalian orders and approximately 20% of all mammalian species. These host specific, blood-sucking insects are morphologically adapted for life on mammals: they are wingless, dorso-ventrally flattened, possess tibio-tarsal claws for clinging to host hair, and have piercing mouthparts for feeding. Although there are more than 540 described species of Anoplura and despite the potential economical and medical implications of sucking louse infestations, this study represents the first attempt to examine higher-level anopluran relationships using molecular data. In this study, we use molecular data to reconstruct the evolutionary history of 65 sucking louse taxa with phylogenetic analyses and compare the results to findings based on morphological data. We also estimate divergence times among anopluran taxa and compare our results to host (mammal) relationships.

Journal of Parasitology, 2008

Human head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are subdivided into 3 deeply divergent mitochondrial ... more Human head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are subdivided into 3 deeply divergent mitochondrial clades (Clades A, B, and C), each having unique geographical distributions. Determining the evolutionary history and geographic distribution of these mitochondrial clades can elucidate the evolutionary history of the lice as well as their human hosts. Previous data suggest that lice belonging to mitochondrial Clade B may have originated in North America or Asia; however, geographic sampling and sample sizes have been limited. With newly collected lice, we calculate the relative frequency, geographic distribution, and genetic diversity of louse mitochondrial clades to determine the geographic origin of lice belonging to Clade B. In agreement with previous studies, genetic diversity data support a North American origin of Clade B lice. It is likely that lice belonging to this mitochondrial clade recently migrated to other geographic localities, e.g., Europe and Australia, and, if not already present, may disperse further to occupy all geographic regions.

BMC Biology, 2007

The parasitic sucking lice of primates are known to have undergone at least 25 million years of c... more The parasitic sucking lice of primates are known to have undergone at least 25 million years of coevolution with their hosts. For example, chimpanzee lice and human head/body lice last shared a common ancestor roughly six million years ago, a divergence that is contemporaneous with their hosts. In an assemblage where lice are often highly host specific, humans host two different genera of lice, one that is shared with chimpanzees and another that is shared with gorillas. In this study, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of primate lice and infer the historical events that explain the current distribution of these lice on their primate hosts.

Journal of Parasitology, 2012

Parasitic lice have been valuable informants of their host's evolutionary history because they co... more Parasitic lice have been valuable informants of their host's evolutionary history because they complete their entire life cycle on the host and move between hosts primarily through direct host-to-host contact. Therefore, lice are confined to their hosts both in ecological and evolutionary time. Lice on great apes have been studied to examine details of their host's evolutionary history; however, species of Pedicinus, which parasitize the Old World monkeys, are less well known. We sampled lice from 2 groups of red colobus (Procolobus spp.) in Kibale National Park in Uganda and from red colobus and black and white colobus (Procolobus polycomos) in Taï National Park in Cô te d'Ivoire. We used next-generation sequencing data analysis and the human body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) genome to search for microsatellites for population genetic studies of Pedicinus lice. The 96 primer sets for microsatellite loci designed from the human body louse genome failed to amplify microsatellites in Pedicinus sp., perhaps due to the fast rate of evolution in parasitic lice. Of 63 microsatellites identified by next-generation sequencing data analysis of Pedicinus sp., 12 were variable among populations and 9 were variable within a single population. Our results suggest that these loci will be useful across the genus Pedicinus. We found that the lice in Uganda are not structured according to their hosts' social group; rather, 2 noninterbreeding populations of lice were found on both groups of red colobus. Because direct host-to-host contact is usually required for lice to move among hosts, these lice could be useful for identification and study of behavioral interactions between primate species.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2004

We sampled 143 individuals from Rancho La Brea (RLB) large faunal collections for bone collagen s... more We sampled 143 individuals from Rancho La Brea (RLB) large faunal collections for bone collagen stable carbon (d 13 C) and nitrogen (d 15 N) isotope ratios. These collections were recovered from asphalt seeps in the Los Angeles Basin, California, USA, and date from f 40 to 12 ka. Our findings indicate that despite a slight reduction in collagen nitrogen content, RLB skeletal remains are relatively well preserved and most yield proteins diagnostic of diet. Herbivore d 13 C and d 15 N values covary with rumination and are consistent with changes in late Pleistocene vegetation reconstructed from pollen profiles. We find no evidence for reliance on C 4 grasses at RLB, despite low atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. Carnivore d 15 N values indicate Canis dirus, Smilodon fatalis and Panthera leo atrox competed for similar prey sets and were equally reliant on ruminant and nonruminant prey types. The d 15 N values of Mammut americanum indicate partial reliance on vegetation with lower d 15 N values (such as nitrogen-fixing taxa), distinguishing them from the remainder of the study population. A comparison of RLB and European faunal d 15 N values from the late Pleistocene suggests that coastal southern California experienced greater aridity. D

PLoS ONE, 2009

Background: Primary bacterial endosymbionts of insects (p-endosymbionts) are thought to be underg... more Background: Primary bacterial endosymbionts of insects (p-endosymbionts) are thought to be undergoing the process of Muller's ratchet where they accrue slightly deleterious mutations due to genetic drift in small populations with negligible recombination rates. If this process were to go unchecked over time, theory predicts mutational meltdown and eventual extinction. Although genome degradation is common among p-endosymbionts, we do not observe widespread pendosymbiont extinction, suggesting that Muller's ratchet may be slowed or even stopped over time. For example, selection may act to slow the effects of Muller's ratchet by removing slightly deleterious mutations before they go to fixation thereby causing a decrease in nucleotide substitutions rates in older p-endosymbiont lineages.

The FASEB Journal, 2007

The first mycetome was discovered more than 340 yr ago in the human louse. Despite the remarkable... more The first mycetome was discovered more than 340 yr ago in the human louse. Despite the remarkable biology and medical and social importance of human lice, its primary endosymbiont has eluded identification and characterization. Here, we report the host-symbiont interaction of the mycetomic bacterium of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis and the body louse P. h. humanus. The endosymbiont represents a new bacterial lineage in the ␥-Proteobacteria. Its closest sequenced relative is Arsenophonus nasoniae, from which it differs by more than 10%. A. nasoniae is a male-killing endosymbiont of jewel wasps. Using microdissection and multiphoton confocal microscopy, we show the remarkable interaction of this bacterium with its host. This endosymbiont is unique because it occupies sequentially four different mycetomes during the development of its host, undergoes three cycles of proliferation, changes in length from 2-4 m to more than 100 m, and has two extracellular migrations, during one of which the endosymbionts have to outrun its host's immune cells. The host and its symbiont have evolved one of the most complex interactions: two provisional or transitory mycetomes, a main mycetome and a paired filial mycetome. Despite the close relatedness of body and head lice, differences are present in the mycetomic provisioning and the immunological response.-Perotti, M. A., Allen, J. M., Reed, D. L., Braig, H. R. Host-symbiont interactions of the primary endosymbiont of human head and body lice. FASEB J. 21, 1058 -1066 (2007)

G3 (Bethesda, Md.), 2014

The obligate-heritable endosymbionts of insects possess some of the smallest known bacterial geno... more The obligate-heritable endosymbionts of insects possess some of the smallest known bacterial genomes. This is likely due to loss of genomic material during symbiosis. The mode and rate of this erosion may change over evolutionary time: faster in newly formed associations and slower in long-established ones. The endosymbionts of human and anthropoid primate lice present a unique opportunity to study genome erosion in newly established (or young) symbionts. This is because we have a detailed phylogenetic history of these endosymbionts with divergence dates for closely related species. This allows for genome evolution to be studied in detail and rates of change to be estimated in a phylogenetic framework. Here, we sequenced the genome of the chimpanzee louse endosymbiont (Candidatus Riesia pediculischaeffi) and compared it with the closely related genome of the human body louse endosymbiont. From this comparison, we found evidence for recent genome erosion leading to gene loss in these...

Primates, Pathogens, and Evolution, 2013

Ecology and Evolution, 2013

We evaluated the mtDNA divergence and relationships within Geomys pinetis to assess the status of... more We evaluated the mtDNA divergence and relationships within Geomys pinetis to assess the status of formerly recognized Geomys taxa. Additionally, we integrated new hypothesis-based tests in ecological niche models (ENM) to provide greater insight into causes for divergence and potential barriers to gene flow in Southeastern United States (Alabama, Florida, and Georgia). Our DNA sequence dataset confirmed and strongly supported two distinct lineages within G. pinetis occurring east and west of the ARD. Divergence date estimates showed that eastern and western lineages diverged about 1.37 Ma (1.9 Ma-830 ka). Predicted distributions from ENMs were consistent with molecular data and defined each population east and west of the ARD with little overlap. Niche identity and background similarity tests were statistically significant suggesting that ENMs from eastern and western lineages are not identical or more similar than expected based on random localities drawn from the environmental background. ENMs also support the hypothesis that the ARD represents a ribbon of unsuitable climate between more suitable areas where these populations are distributed. The estimated age of divergence between eastern and western lineages of G. pinetis suggests that the divergence was driven by climatic conditions during Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles. The ARD at the contact zone of eastern and western lineages of G. pinetis forms a significant barrier promoting microgeographic isolation that helps maintain ecological and genetic divergence.

Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2000

BackgroundEsophageal stenting is being increasingly utilized to treat a variety of benign and mal... more BackgroundEsophageal stenting is being increasingly utilized to treat a variety of benign and malignant esophageal conditions. The aim of our study was to review our experience with self- expanding metal, plastic and hybrid stents in the treatment of esophageal disease on a thoracic surgical service.

Phosphorous and Sulfur and the Related Elements, 1987

Page 1. Phosphoruc and Sulfur, 1987, Vol. 31, pp. 161-175 Photocopying permitted by license only ... more Page 1. Phosphoruc and Sulfur, 1987, Vol. 31, pp. 161-175 Photocopying permitted by license only @ 1987 Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, Inc. Printed in the United Kingdom o-HYDROXY-1-ALKANESULFONYL CHLORIDES1 ...