Brad Love - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Brad Love

Building and Maintaining a Whole Community Initiative: Health Communication in Practice with Be Well Communities™

Health Communication, 2024

The most effective health communication builds from evidence-based best practices and theory. In ... more The most effective health communication builds from evidence-based best practices and theory. In practice, health campaigns rely on considerations often under-discussed in health communication, such as consistent agency-style client service, image management, and community coalition-building. Health outcome progress often requires change at multiple levels, from individual cognition and behavior to policy creation. These multi-level needs further highlight the importance of effective practical health communication supporting a range of outcomes and building toward replication. This article covers the complexities of building and implementing a theory-informed health communication structure for a multifaceted, place-based cancer prevention initiative. Part of the overall process includes detailing the internal communications of a health communication group, interorganizational communication, engaging community partner support, the message creation process, and longitudinal efforts on program maintenance and assessment. Furthermore, this article seeks to offer an example of the client service role a health communication team can play to combine theory, empirical message development, and community goals in whole community efforts. Ultimately, the goal is to share experiences from seven years of program work to help guide future community-based efforts in other health contexts and foster progress in theoretical and practical understandings of health communication.

Social Media Use for Cancer Support Among Young Adults with Cancer

Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, May 31, 2023

Drivers of Mobile Health Adoption Survey

PsycTESTS Dataset

Physician-Patient e-Visit Programs

Disease Management & Health Outcomes, 2007

Telemedicine and e-health includes the delivery of healthcare over a distance through the use of ... more Telemedicine and e-health includes the delivery of healthcare over a distance through the use of telecommunication technologies. One specific application is the use of `e-visits' within a clinical setting. e-Visits refer to any type of online patient-provider consultation where electronic information is exchanged, particularly involving the transmission via secure servers. Among many others, services such as patient portals and patient-provider

Global pediatric health, 2020

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 5, 2023

Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's signature place-based approach for cancer prevention and co... more Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's signature place-based approach for cancer prevention and control, working with communities to promote wellness and address modi able risk factors for cancer. In this project, the planning phase of the Be Well Communities' model was implemented in Acres Homes. Methods A community advisory group (Steering Committee) including residents, non-pro t organizations, health care partners, city and county agencies, plus other stakeholders, was convened and aligned through a structured process to develop shared goals, foster multisector collaboration, as measured by a stakeholder survey administered twice, and enhance community capacity to improve health outcomes through development of a Community Action Plan. Results Clear, achievable goals were developed, multisector collaboration was enhanced, and more than 400 hours of capacity building support led to a Community Action Plan focused on healthy eating and active living, including 15 evidence-based interventions led by 18 organizations. The majority (93%) of the Steering Committee reports that this plan re ects community priorities and will reach the residents most in need. Conclusions By listening and developing trust, the Be Well Communities team successfully worked with Acres Homes residents and organizations to enhance community capacity to address health inequities in one of Houston's most historic communities. literature, and experience, Be Well Communities is a signature program of MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention & Control Platform, a community impact accelerator which implements evidence-based interventions (EBIs) involving community services, public education and policy interventions, targeting measurable reductions in cancer incidence and mortality. Be Well Communities unites individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers, and policymakers to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions to make positive, long-lasting changes in people's lives. Speci cally working in those areas that can have a direct impact on cancer risk reduction: healthy eating, active living, sun safety, tobacco-free living, and preventive care (i.e., cancer screening and vaccines). Central to this place-based approach is creating systemic change by serving as a catalyst coordinating and supporting the implementation of EBIs through community-based organizations who will sustain the work long into the future, all with a speci c focus on reducing health inequities and access issues. Be Well Communities Model Be Well Communities was founded on effective strategies for community-based, cross-sector, multi-component approaches to promote health equity. Multi-component approaches can reduce risk factors such as obesity and excessive sun exposure across the lifespan [4, 5]. Successful examples of these types of approaches, such as Shape Up Somerville [6], include implementation of EBIs coupled with a community-driven coalition. Community-driven coalitions help to ensure that interventions are relevant to and executed in alignment with the needs of the community. Key components of effective community-based approaches include at a minimum three key elements: 1) making health equity a shared vision and value, 2) fostering multi-sector collaboration; and 3) increasing community capacity to shape health outcomes [7]. Through delivery of EBIs placed effectively in the context of individuals and families, community-driven coalitions can reduce disparities and improve health. Leveraging these lessons, the Be Well Communities model (Fig. 1) focuses on the speci c needs and context of the community through phases of community assessment, planning, and implementation, supported by evaluation and sustainability planning. An evaluation plan, developed in partnership with RTI International, guides this work to ensure adequate data collection, align organizational objectives with outcomes, and assess progress and impact. Following the principles outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Sustainability Planning Guide for Healthy Communities (2012), sustainability is foundational and integrated into practice by creating, executing, and evaluating a Community Action Plan [8]. The model relies on three groups working collaboratively: the backbone team, a steering committee, and collaborating organizations [9]. The backbone team is responsible for overall coordination, convening, fund stewardship, management and evaluation of the initiative. The Steering Committee, which includes community residents, is the active community advisory board or health coalition that establishes shared goals, reviews available interventions, develops the Community Action Plan, and guides and champions the initiative. Collaborating organizations are funded Steering Committee organizations carrying out EBIs tailored to the community's culture that make up the Community Action Plan. Additionally, since many cancer risks (e.g., tobacco exposure, obesity, sun/UVR exposure) appear to accumulate across the lifespan, it is increasingly clear that cancer prevention needs to begin in childhood [10]. As such, youthserving institutions (e.g., elementary schools, daycares, sports programs) are critical collaborators across Be Well Communities initiatives. This includes interventions focused on vaping prevention and HPV vaccination as well as healthy eating and physical activity programming. Addressing risk factors from early childhood through adolescence, can increase healthy behaviors and reduce unhealthy behaviors, ultimately reducing the risk for cancer later in life.

Patterns of unmet needs in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors: in their own words

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Mar 29, 2017

Categorization of the needs of AYA cancer survivors is primarily based on quantitative analyses o... more Categorization of the needs of AYA cancer survivors is primarily based on quantitative analyses of epidemiological and observational research. The present study classified the phenomenological experiences of AYA survivors based on their own language. A systematic approach for selecting qualitative studies of unmet needs in AYA cancer survivors was used. Following selection based on quality, survivor statements were entered verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo qualitative research software. A total of 1993 AYA cancer survivors (post-treatment) were included in 58 studies (78% individual interviews). Mean age was 27.6 with an average of 8.6 years post-primary treatment. The organizational framework reported in this study was based on a heterogeneous group of cancer types. Thirteen themes including symptoms, function, reproductive health, emotional well-being, health management, health care system, social interaction, romantic relationships, cancer disclosure, normalcy, career development and employment, and school and fiscal concerns were identified. Forty-eight subthemes were also identified covering such areas as fertility, integrative health services, advice for cancer disclosure, family interaction, and insurance challenges. Direct analysis of text identified many common unmet needs similarly reported in the quantitative literature. The phenomenological data also provided a breakdown of unmet needs into subthemes or elements of unmet needs. This information can help form the basis for a personalized, valid, and reliable evaluation tool of the range of unmet needs in AYA survivors.

Qualitative Health Research, Oct 14, 2016

Interpersonal communication is an essential component of the cancer experience (Strauss, 1998; Zo... more Interpersonal communication is an essential component of the cancer experience (Strauss, 1998; Zook, 1994) and is related to several health outcomes for cancer survivors, including psychological distress, relationship stability, and decision making about treatment and care (Manning

Cancer Causes & Control, Dec 1, 2018

Purpose Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and programs have delivered effective model... more Purpose Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and programs have delivered effective models and approaches to reducing cancer burden across the United States over the last two decades. Communication plays an essential role in diverse coalition activities from prevention to survivorship, including organizational and community capacity-building and as cancer control intervention strategies. Methods Based upon a review of published CCC research as well as public health communication best practices, this article describes lessons learned to assist CCC coalitions and programs with systematic implementation of communication efforts as key strategies in cancer control. Results Communication-oriented lessons include (1) effective communication work requires listening and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, (2) communication interventions should target multiple levels from interpersonal to mediated channels, (3) educational outreach can be a valuable opportunity to bolster coalition effectiveness and cancer control outcomes, and (4) dedicated support is necessary to ensure consistent communication efforts. Conclusions External and internal communication strategies can optimize coalition efforts and resources to ultimately help produce meaningful improvement in cancer control outcomes.

Health Literacy as Controversy

Qualitative Health Research, Jul 25, 2011

Adults in the United States increasingly use the Internet for health information, and online disc... more Adults in the United States increasingly use the Internet for health information, and online discussions can provide insights into public perceptions of health issues. The purpose of this project was to investigate public perceptions of issues related to health literacy, within the context of a conversation about recommendations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, driven by concerns about acetaminophen-related liver injuries due in part to health literacy issues. The discussion took place July 2-8, 2009, on a technology/science blog and included 625 comments. Participants debated the risks and benefits of acetaminophen, and most believed responsibility for taking medication safely falls on consumers. Some were implicitly aware of issues related to health literacy and its relationship to patient outcomes; most felt improved education is all that is needed, whereas others acknowledged that health information is confusing—particularly for the elderly and sick. Recommendations for future research into public perceptions of health literacy are discussed.

Communication Monographs, Dec 24, 2018

This study investigates how individuals working in the innovation field communicatively define th... more This study investigates how individuals working in the innovation field communicatively define the nature of their work and make assessments of others' innovative ability. Drawing on signaling theory, this work explores what communicative signals are valued within an ambiguous professional context. Interviews with 36 innovation workers revealed that individuals perceive this emerging occupational role as comprised of skills and traits that vary in how easily they are communicatively expressed, and in turn what forms of communication allow these dimensions to be evaluated. These findings inform the development of a grounded model for communicatively assessing innovative ability. This work extends our theoretical understanding of how signals of professionalism are actively, and communicatively expressed and assessed in new occupational settings.

Exploring gender and identity issues among female adolescent and young adults who connect in an anonymous platform

Journal of Health Psychology, Sep 30, 2015

There has been an increased usage of online cancer support groups as a resource for health-relate... more There has been an increased usage of online cancer support groups as a resource for health-related information and social support. This work analyzes message blog posts from an anonymous online support community to better understand issues related to gender and identity among female adolescent and young adults. This work sheds further light into the nuances of gender and identity issues including motherhood and reproductive issues, physical appearance, and romantic relationships. Specifically, findings reveal that female adolescent and young adults experience issues pertaining to infertility, feeling like a bad mom, hair loss, scarring, dating, and intimacy. These findings of this work offer further guidance about how healthcare providers and caregivers can attempt to meet the needs of female adolescent and young adults.

SAGE Open, Apr 1, 2013

Trust is essential to understanding public reaction to innovative issues. This research focuses o... more Trust is essential to understanding public reaction to innovative issues. This research focuses on trust in information sources by explicating the construct of trust and testing a comprehensive model on several information sources about genetically modified foods. Results from a survey of 369 participants reveal the significance of projecting competence and the role of the environment in which a target public receives information. Perceptions of regulatory, social, business, and technical environments affect how likely individuals are to follow advice from institutions like the Food and Drug Administration and the news media. Future research should incorporate knowledge levels and personal relevance as variables likely to influence trusting relationships.

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Mar 31, 2021

Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in publishe... more Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Framing by Reporters, Partisan, and Nonpartisan Sources in Newspaper Coverage of U.S. Senate Races in 2004

Work as a Means of Navigating Nutrition and Exercise Concerns in an Online Cancer Community

Upside down/side up: problematizing teacher communication behaviors and learning outcomes in communication

Communication Education, Aug 12, 2016

Could teacher communication behaviors generally assumed to be positive ever be detrimental to stu... more Could teacher communication behaviors generally assumed to be positive ever be detrimental to students’ realization of particular outcomes? In this essay, we argue for increased scholarly attention to this question. We advocate a research agenda that explores the potential “downside”of teacher communication behaviors (TCBs); problematizing established TCBs in light of the National Communication Association’s Learning Outcomes in Communication (LOC)

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Apr 25, 2020

Cancer Causes & Control

Purpose The Comprehensive Cancer Control Cancer Communication Mentorship Program ("Mentorship Pro... more Purpose The Comprehensive Cancer Control Cancer Communication Mentorship Program ("Mentorship Program") was created by the George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC) to provide technical assistance (TA) in implementing evidence-based cancer screening communication interventions and support networking for comprehensive cancer control (CCC) professionals. The Mentorship Program matched entry-to mid-level CCC professionals with health communication and/or CCC experts and offered monthly web-based discussions with academic researchers and practitioners who shared their knowledge and provided applied learning opportunities throughout mentees' project planning, implementation and evaluation. The program objective was for mentees to improve health communication skills and apply evidence-based knowledge to reduce the burden of cancer. Methods A mixed methods evaluation was conducted, including a qualitative description of each project and its outcomes as well as quantitative measures of satisfaction with the program and self-rated changes in competence. Results Mentees represented the following locations: New Jersey, Arkansas, Michigan, West Virginia, and Republic of Palau. Project topics ranged from increasing Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to increasing screening uptake for colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Evaluation results from pre-and post-program communication competency self-assessments and mid-and post-program surveys revealed that the Mentorship Program advanced personal and professional goals and improved public health communication skills. Conclusion The Mentorship Program achieved its objectives for peer networking and offering expert TA in cancer prevention and control communication, offering a promising model for others involved in supporting implementation of evidence in practice.

User experiences, usability, and social presence of a peer-to-peer support app: survey of young adults affected by cancer

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2021

ABSTRACT Young adult (YA) cancer survivors often experience social isolation. Mobile apps facilit... more ABSTRACT Young adult (YA) cancer survivors often experience social isolation. Mobile apps facilitate peer-to-peer connections, yet little is known about their use. YA survivors (N = 181) were surveyed about a peer-to-peer cancer support app. Among those with it downloaded, 36% reported daily/weekly use. One-to-one messaging and group chat features were easy-to-use and useful, but facilitation of social presence was variable. Within group chats, 55% participated in discussions; 45% observed conversations without contributing. The app was helpful for convenient access to peer support (84%), particularly when offline social networks were inadequate (83%); some (16–25%) reported nervousness initiating connections. Qualitative feedback identified facilitators and barriers to adoption and sustained engagement. Recommendations centered on improving design and logistical factors and facilitating in-app connections. App-based peer support is promising for addressing social isolation among YA survivors. Future research should examine theory-based communication and design features to encourage meaningful engagement and longitudinal effects on psychosocial outcomes.

Building and Maintaining a Whole Community Initiative: Health Communication in Practice with Be Well Communities™

Health Communication, 2024

The most effective health communication builds from evidence-based best practices and theory. In ... more The most effective health communication builds from evidence-based best practices and theory. In practice, health campaigns rely on considerations often under-discussed in health communication, such as consistent agency-style client service, image management, and community coalition-building. Health outcome progress often requires change at multiple levels, from individual cognition and behavior to policy creation. These multi-level needs further highlight the importance of effective practical health communication supporting a range of outcomes and building toward replication. This article covers the complexities of building and implementing a theory-informed health communication structure for a multifaceted, place-based cancer prevention initiative. Part of the overall process includes detailing the internal communications of a health communication group, interorganizational communication, engaging community partner support, the message creation process, and longitudinal efforts on program maintenance and assessment. Furthermore, this article seeks to offer an example of the client service role a health communication team can play to combine theory, empirical message development, and community goals in whole community efforts. Ultimately, the goal is to share experiences from seven years of program work to help guide future community-based efforts in other health contexts and foster progress in theoretical and practical understandings of health communication.

Social Media Use for Cancer Support Among Young Adults with Cancer

Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, May 31, 2023

Drivers of Mobile Health Adoption Survey

PsycTESTS Dataset

Physician-Patient e-Visit Programs

Disease Management & Health Outcomes, 2007

Telemedicine and e-health includes the delivery of healthcare over a distance through the use of ... more Telemedicine and e-health includes the delivery of healthcare over a distance through the use of telecommunication technologies. One specific application is the use of `e-visits' within a clinical setting. e-Visits refer to any type of online patient-provider consultation where electronic information is exchanged, particularly involving the transmission via secure servers. Among many others, services such as patient portals and patient-provider

Global pediatric health, 2020

Research Square (Research Square), Jan 5, 2023

Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's signature place-based approach for cancer prevention and co... more Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's signature place-based approach for cancer prevention and control, working with communities to promote wellness and address modi able risk factors for cancer. In this project, the planning phase of the Be Well Communities' model was implemented in Acres Homes. Methods A community advisory group (Steering Committee) including residents, non-pro t organizations, health care partners, city and county agencies, plus other stakeholders, was convened and aligned through a structured process to develop shared goals, foster multisector collaboration, as measured by a stakeholder survey administered twice, and enhance community capacity to improve health outcomes through development of a Community Action Plan. Results Clear, achievable goals were developed, multisector collaboration was enhanced, and more than 400 hours of capacity building support led to a Community Action Plan focused on healthy eating and active living, including 15 evidence-based interventions led by 18 organizations. The majority (93%) of the Steering Committee reports that this plan re ects community priorities and will reach the residents most in need. Conclusions By listening and developing trust, the Be Well Communities team successfully worked with Acres Homes residents and organizations to enhance community capacity to address health inequities in one of Houston's most historic communities. literature, and experience, Be Well Communities is a signature program of MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention & Control Platform, a community impact accelerator which implements evidence-based interventions (EBIs) involving community services, public education and policy interventions, targeting measurable reductions in cancer incidence and mortality. Be Well Communities unites individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers, and policymakers to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions to make positive, long-lasting changes in people's lives. Speci cally working in those areas that can have a direct impact on cancer risk reduction: healthy eating, active living, sun safety, tobacco-free living, and preventive care (i.e., cancer screening and vaccines). Central to this place-based approach is creating systemic change by serving as a catalyst coordinating and supporting the implementation of EBIs through community-based organizations who will sustain the work long into the future, all with a speci c focus on reducing health inequities and access issues. Be Well Communities Model Be Well Communities was founded on effective strategies for community-based, cross-sector, multi-component approaches to promote health equity. Multi-component approaches can reduce risk factors such as obesity and excessive sun exposure across the lifespan [4, 5]. Successful examples of these types of approaches, such as Shape Up Somerville [6], include implementation of EBIs coupled with a community-driven coalition. Community-driven coalitions help to ensure that interventions are relevant to and executed in alignment with the needs of the community. Key components of effective community-based approaches include at a minimum three key elements: 1) making health equity a shared vision and value, 2) fostering multi-sector collaboration; and 3) increasing community capacity to shape health outcomes [7]. Through delivery of EBIs placed effectively in the context of individuals and families, community-driven coalitions can reduce disparities and improve health. Leveraging these lessons, the Be Well Communities model (Fig. 1) focuses on the speci c needs and context of the community through phases of community assessment, planning, and implementation, supported by evaluation and sustainability planning. An evaluation plan, developed in partnership with RTI International, guides this work to ensure adequate data collection, align organizational objectives with outcomes, and assess progress and impact. Following the principles outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Sustainability Planning Guide for Healthy Communities (2012), sustainability is foundational and integrated into practice by creating, executing, and evaluating a Community Action Plan [8]. The model relies on three groups working collaboratively: the backbone team, a steering committee, and collaborating organizations [9]. The backbone team is responsible for overall coordination, convening, fund stewardship, management and evaluation of the initiative. The Steering Committee, which includes community residents, is the active community advisory board or health coalition that establishes shared goals, reviews available interventions, develops the Community Action Plan, and guides and champions the initiative. Collaborating organizations are funded Steering Committee organizations carrying out EBIs tailored to the community's culture that make up the Community Action Plan. Additionally, since many cancer risks (e.g., tobacco exposure, obesity, sun/UVR exposure) appear to accumulate across the lifespan, it is increasingly clear that cancer prevention needs to begin in childhood [10]. As such, youthserving institutions (e.g., elementary schools, daycares, sports programs) are critical collaborators across Be Well Communities initiatives. This includes interventions focused on vaping prevention and HPV vaccination as well as healthy eating and physical activity programming. Addressing risk factors from early childhood through adolescence, can increase healthy behaviors and reduce unhealthy behaviors, ultimately reducing the risk for cancer later in life.

Patterns of unmet needs in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors: in their own words

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Mar 29, 2017

Categorization of the needs of AYA cancer survivors is primarily based on quantitative analyses o... more Categorization of the needs of AYA cancer survivors is primarily based on quantitative analyses of epidemiological and observational research. The present study classified the phenomenological experiences of AYA survivors based on their own language. A systematic approach for selecting qualitative studies of unmet needs in AYA cancer survivors was used. Following selection based on quality, survivor statements were entered verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo qualitative research software. A total of 1993 AYA cancer survivors (post-treatment) were included in 58 studies (78% individual interviews). Mean age was 27.6 with an average of 8.6 years post-primary treatment. The organizational framework reported in this study was based on a heterogeneous group of cancer types. Thirteen themes including symptoms, function, reproductive health, emotional well-being, health management, health care system, social interaction, romantic relationships, cancer disclosure, normalcy, career development and employment, and school and fiscal concerns were identified. Forty-eight subthemes were also identified covering such areas as fertility, integrative health services, advice for cancer disclosure, family interaction, and insurance challenges. Direct analysis of text identified many common unmet needs similarly reported in the quantitative literature. The phenomenological data also provided a breakdown of unmet needs into subthemes or elements of unmet needs. This information can help form the basis for a personalized, valid, and reliable evaluation tool of the range of unmet needs in AYA survivors.

Qualitative Health Research, Oct 14, 2016

Interpersonal communication is an essential component of the cancer experience (Strauss, 1998; Zo... more Interpersonal communication is an essential component of the cancer experience (Strauss, 1998; Zook, 1994) and is related to several health outcomes for cancer survivors, including psychological distress, relationship stability, and decision making about treatment and care (Manning

Cancer Causes & Control, Dec 1, 2018

Purpose Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and programs have delivered effective model... more Purpose Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and programs have delivered effective models and approaches to reducing cancer burden across the United States over the last two decades. Communication plays an essential role in diverse coalition activities from prevention to survivorship, including organizational and community capacity-building and as cancer control intervention strategies. Methods Based upon a review of published CCC research as well as public health communication best practices, this article describes lessons learned to assist CCC coalitions and programs with systematic implementation of communication efforts as key strategies in cancer control. Results Communication-oriented lessons include (1) effective communication work requires listening and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, (2) communication interventions should target multiple levels from interpersonal to mediated channels, (3) educational outreach can be a valuable opportunity to bolster coalition effectiveness and cancer control outcomes, and (4) dedicated support is necessary to ensure consistent communication efforts. Conclusions External and internal communication strategies can optimize coalition efforts and resources to ultimately help produce meaningful improvement in cancer control outcomes.

Health Literacy as Controversy

Qualitative Health Research, Jul 25, 2011

Adults in the United States increasingly use the Internet for health information, and online disc... more Adults in the United States increasingly use the Internet for health information, and online discussions can provide insights into public perceptions of health issues. The purpose of this project was to investigate public perceptions of issues related to health literacy, within the context of a conversation about recommendations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, driven by concerns about acetaminophen-related liver injuries due in part to health literacy issues. The discussion took place July 2-8, 2009, on a technology/science blog and included 625 comments. Participants debated the risks and benefits of acetaminophen, and most believed responsibility for taking medication safely falls on consumers. Some were implicitly aware of issues related to health literacy and its relationship to patient outcomes; most felt improved education is all that is needed, whereas others acknowledged that health information is confusing—particularly for the elderly and sick. Recommendations for future research into public perceptions of health literacy are discussed.

Communication Monographs, Dec 24, 2018

This study investigates how individuals working in the innovation field communicatively define th... more This study investigates how individuals working in the innovation field communicatively define the nature of their work and make assessments of others' innovative ability. Drawing on signaling theory, this work explores what communicative signals are valued within an ambiguous professional context. Interviews with 36 innovation workers revealed that individuals perceive this emerging occupational role as comprised of skills and traits that vary in how easily they are communicatively expressed, and in turn what forms of communication allow these dimensions to be evaluated. These findings inform the development of a grounded model for communicatively assessing innovative ability. This work extends our theoretical understanding of how signals of professionalism are actively, and communicatively expressed and assessed in new occupational settings.

Exploring gender and identity issues among female adolescent and young adults who connect in an anonymous platform

Journal of Health Psychology, Sep 30, 2015

There has been an increased usage of online cancer support groups as a resource for health-relate... more There has been an increased usage of online cancer support groups as a resource for health-related information and social support. This work analyzes message blog posts from an anonymous online support community to better understand issues related to gender and identity among female adolescent and young adults. This work sheds further light into the nuances of gender and identity issues including motherhood and reproductive issues, physical appearance, and romantic relationships. Specifically, findings reveal that female adolescent and young adults experience issues pertaining to infertility, feeling like a bad mom, hair loss, scarring, dating, and intimacy. These findings of this work offer further guidance about how healthcare providers and caregivers can attempt to meet the needs of female adolescent and young adults.

SAGE Open, Apr 1, 2013

Trust is essential to understanding public reaction to innovative issues. This research focuses o... more Trust is essential to understanding public reaction to innovative issues. This research focuses on trust in information sources by explicating the construct of trust and testing a comprehensive model on several information sources about genetically modified foods. Results from a survey of 369 participants reveal the significance of projecting competence and the role of the environment in which a target public receives information. Perceptions of regulatory, social, business, and technical environments affect how likely individuals are to follow advice from institutions like the Food and Drug Administration and the news media. Future research should incorporate knowledge levels and personal relevance as variables likely to influence trusting relationships.

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Mar 31, 2021

Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in publishe... more Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Framing by Reporters, Partisan, and Nonpartisan Sources in Newspaper Coverage of U.S. Senate Races in 2004

Work as a Means of Navigating Nutrition and Exercise Concerns in an Online Cancer Community

Upside down/side up: problematizing teacher communication behaviors and learning outcomes in communication

Communication Education, Aug 12, 2016

Could teacher communication behaviors generally assumed to be positive ever be detrimental to stu... more Could teacher communication behaviors generally assumed to be positive ever be detrimental to students’ realization of particular outcomes? In this essay, we argue for increased scholarly attention to this question. We advocate a research agenda that explores the potential “downside”of teacher communication behaviors (TCBs); problematizing established TCBs in light of the National Communication Association’s Learning Outcomes in Communication (LOC)

Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Apr 25, 2020

Cancer Causes & Control

Purpose The Comprehensive Cancer Control Cancer Communication Mentorship Program ("Mentorship Pro... more Purpose The Comprehensive Cancer Control Cancer Communication Mentorship Program ("Mentorship Program") was created by the George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC) to provide technical assistance (TA) in implementing evidence-based cancer screening communication interventions and support networking for comprehensive cancer control (CCC) professionals. The Mentorship Program matched entry-to mid-level CCC professionals with health communication and/or CCC experts and offered monthly web-based discussions with academic researchers and practitioners who shared their knowledge and provided applied learning opportunities throughout mentees' project planning, implementation and evaluation. The program objective was for mentees to improve health communication skills and apply evidence-based knowledge to reduce the burden of cancer. Methods A mixed methods evaluation was conducted, including a qualitative description of each project and its outcomes as well as quantitative measures of satisfaction with the program and self-rated changes in competence. Results Mentees represented the following locations: New Jersey, Arkansas, Michigan, West Virginia, and Republic of Palau. Project topics ranged from increasing Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to increasing screening uptake for colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Evaluation results from pre-and post-program communication competency self-assessments and mid-and post-program surveys revealed that the Mentorship Program advanced personal and professional goals and improved public health communication skills. Conclusion The Mentorship Program achieved its objectives for peer networking and offering expert TA in cancer prevention and control communication, offering a promising model for others involved in supporting implementation of evidence in practice.

User experiences, usability, and social presence of a peer-to-peer support app: survey of young adults affected by cancer

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2021

ABSTRACT Young adult (YA) cancer survivors often experience social isolation. Mobile apps facilit... more ABSTRACT Young adult (YA) cancer survivors often experience social isolation. Mobile apps facilitate peer-to-peer connections, yet little is known about their use. YA survivors (N = 181) were surveyed about a peer-to-peer cancer support app. Among those with it downloaded, 36% reported daily/weekly use. One-to-one messaging and group chat features were easy-to-use and useful, but facilitation of social presence was variable. Within group chats, 55% participated in discussions; 45% observed conversations without contributing. The app was helpful for convenient access to peer support (84%), particularly when offline social networks were inadequate (83%); some (16–25%) reported nervousness initiating connections. Qualitative feedback identified facilitators and barriers to adoption and sustained engagement. Recommendations centered on improving design and logistical factors and facilitating in-app connections. App-based peer support is promising for addressing social isolation among YA survivors. Future research should examine theory-based communication and design features to encourage meaningful engagement and longitudinal effects on psychosocial outcomes.

Telemedicine and e-Health, Jan 1, 2011

Objective: As healthcare consumers increasingly use the Internet as a source for health informati... more Objective: As healthcare consumers increasingly use the Internet as a source for health information, direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising online merits additional attention. The purpose of this research was to investigate media coverage of the joint marketing program linking the movie Happy Feet and the nonbranded disease education Web site FluFacts—a resource from Tamiflu flu treatment manufacturer Roche Laboratories Inc.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine articles (n¼29) were found covering the Happy Feet–FluFacts marketing campaign. A coding guide was developed to assess elements of the articles, including those common in the sample and information that ideally would be included in these articles. Two coders independently coded the articles, achieving intercoder agreement of k¼0.98 before resolving disagreements
to arrive at a final dataset.

Results: The majority of articles reported that Roche operated FluFacts (51.7%) and mentioned the product Tamiflu (58.6%). Almost half (48.3%) reported FluFacts was an educational resource; yet, no articles mentioned other antiviral medications or nonmedical options for preventing the flu. More than a quarter of the articles (24.1%) provided a call to action—telling readers to visit FluFacts or providing a link for them to do so.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that journalists’ coverage
of this novel campaign—likely one of the goals of the campaign—helped spread the message of the Happy Feet–FluFacts
relationship, often omitting other useful health information. Additional research is needed to better understand online DTC campaigns and how consumers react to these campaigns and resulting media coverage and to inform.

Social network sites (SNSs) like Twitter continue to attract users, many of whom turn to these sp... more Social network sites (SNSs) like Twitter continue to attract users, many of whom turn to these spaces for social support for serious illnesses like cancer. Building on literature that explored the functionality of online spaces for health-related social support, we propose a typology that situates this type of support in an SNS-based open cancer community based on the type (informational or emotional) and the direction (expression or reception) of support. A content analysis applied the typology to a 2-year span of Twitter messages using the popular hashtag “#stupidcancer.” Given that emotions form the basis for much of human communication and behavior, including aspects of social support, this content analysis also examined the relationship between emotional expression and online social support in tweets about cancer. Furthermore, this study looked at the various ways in which Twitter allows for message sharing across a user’s entire network (not just among the cancer community). This work thus begins to lay the conceptual and empirical groundwork for future research testing the effects of various types of social support in open, interactive online cancer communities.