Melody Goodman
Melody Goodman
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Dean, School of Global Public Health
Professor of Biostatistics
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Professional overview
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Dr. Melody S. Goodman is a biostatistician and research methodologist. Her work is anchored upon moving beyond defining problems and focuses on developing solutions using partner-engaged research approaches. Dr. Goodman’s research efforts seek to develop a more rigorous understanding of the social risk factors contributing to urban health outcomes. Her work aims to develop solutions for improving health in high-risk populations. She conducts translational research that bridges the gap between research and practice. Through rigorous attention to study design, measurement, and the use of cutting-edge statistical analysis methods, her contributions have spanned the areas of prevention, treatment, intervention, and policy.
Dr. Goodman led the team that developed and comprehensively evaluated the Research Engagement Survey Tool, a quantitative survey measure to assess the level of partner engagement in research studies from the non-academic partner perspective. With numerous funders supporting her work (e.g., National Institutes of Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and Susan G. Komen), she has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and two books (2018 Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group): 1) Public Health Research Methods for Partnerships and Practice and 2) Biostatistics for Clinical and Public Health Research, which now has a second edition (2026 Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group). She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, New York Academy of Medicine, and the inaugural recipient of the Societal Impact Award from the Caucus for Women in Statistics.
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Education
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BS, Economics and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NYMS, Biostatistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MAPhD, Biostatistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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Honors and awards
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Fellow, American Statistical Association (2021)Societal Impact Award, Caucus for Women in Statistics (2021)Network Builder Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Connections (2019)Siteman Cancer Center “Rock Doc” (2013)Satcher Health Leadership Institute - Morehouse School of Medicine, Community Health Leadership Institute Intensive Cohort II (2013)Women of the Year - Health, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - Suffolk Chapter (2010)President’s Award for Teaching Excellence - Stony Brook University (2009)President’s Award for Excellence in Team Achievement - Stony Brook University (2008)
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Areas of research and study
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BiostatisticsCommunity HealthCommunity-based Participatory ResearchDissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based ProgramsQuantitative Research
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Publications
Publications
Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Results from a 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health in the United States
AbstractRouhani, S., Bather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Omari, I., Harris, A., McSorley, A.-M. M., Rhodes-Bratton, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Substance use & misuseVolume
60Issue
14Page(s)
2225-2234AbstractRacial/ethnic disparities in substance use outcomes continue to widen in the US. Despite increasing evidence of the myriad ways that racism impacts health, this has not been extensively studied with respect to substance use outcomes. The current study explores the association between self-reported exposure to racial discrimination across the life course and substance use disorders among US adults.Remote work and mental health among employed US adults
AbstractLeong, W. I. I., Wei, L., Goodman, M., Pagán, J. A., Cuevas, A. G., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)Volume
75Issue
6Page(s)
364-368AbstractExisting research presents mixed findings regarding the effect of remote work on mental health, suggesting both beneficial and adverse outcomes.Social vulnerability and genetic service utilization among unaffected BRIDGE trial patients with inherited cancer susceptibility
Failed generating bibliography.AbstractPublication year
2025Journal title
BMC cancerVolume
25Issue
1Page(s)
180AbstractResearch on social determinants of genetic testing uptake is limited, particularly among unaffected patients with inherited cancer susceptibility.Social vulnerability and genetic service utilization among unaffected BRIDGE trial patients with inherited cancer susceptibility
Abstracton behalf of the BRIDGE research team, A., Bather, J. R., Goodman, M., Harris, A., Del Fiol, G., Hess, R., Wetter, D. W., Chavez-Yenter, D., Zhong, L., Kaiser-Jackson, L., Chambers, R., Bradshaw, R., Kohlmann, W., Colonna, S., Espinel, W., Monahan, R., Buys, S. S., Ginsburg, O., Kawamoto, K., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
BMC CancerVolume
25Issue
1AbstractBackground: Research on social determinants of genetic testing uptake is limited, particularly among unaffected patients with inherited cancer susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Broadening the Reach, Impact, and Delivery of Genetic Services (BRIDGE) trial at University of Utah Health and NYU Langone Health, involving 2,760 unaffected patients meeting genetic testing criteria for inherited cancer susceptibility and who were initially randomized to either an automated chatbot or an enhanced standard of care (SOC) genetic services delivery model. We used encounters from the electronic health record (EHR) to measure the uptake of genetic counseling and testing, including dichotomous measures of (1) whether participants initiated pre-test cancer genetic services, (2) completed pre-test cancer genetic services, (3) had genetic testing ordered, and (4) completed genetic testing. We merged zip codes from the EHR to construct census tract-weighted social measures of the Social Vulnerability Index. Multilevel models estimated associations between social vulnerability and genetic services utilization. We tested whether intervention condition (i.e., chatbot vs. SOC) moderated the association of social vulnerability with genetic service utilization. Covariates included study arm, study site, age, sex, race/ethnicity, language preference, rural residence, having a recorded primary care provider, and number of algorithm criteria met. Results: Patients living in areas of medium socioeconomic status (SES) vulnerability had lower odds of initiating pre-test genetic services (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.98) compared to patients living in low SES vulnerability areas. Patients in medium household vulnerability areas had a lower likelihood of completing pre-test genetic services (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.97) and having genetic testing ordered (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63–0.99) relative to patients in low household vulnerability areas. We did not find that social vulnerability associations varied by intervention condition. Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of investigating social and structural mechanisms as potential pathways to increasing genetic testing uptake among patients with increased inherited risk of cancer. Census information is publicly available but seldom used to assess social determinants of genetic testing uptake among unaffected populations. Existing and future cohort studies can incorporate census data to derive analytic insights for clinical scientists. Trial registration: BRIDGE was registered as NCT03985852 on June 6, 2019 at clinicaltrials.gov.Sociodemographic variation in experiences with medication shortages among US adults
AbstractFang, J., Goodman, M., Kaphingst, K. A., Parikh, N. S., Bae, J. Y. Y., Silver, D., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Preventive medicine reportsVolume
51Page(s)
103004AbstractTo investigate sociodemographic factors associated with prescribed and over-the-counter medication shortage experiences.Sociodemographic variation in experiences with medication shortages among US adults
AbstractFang, J., Goodman, M., Kaphingst, K. A., Parikh, N. S., Bae, J. Y., Silver, D. R., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Preventive Medicine ReportsVolume
51AbstractObjective: To investigate sociodemographic factors associated with prescribed and over-the-counter medication shortage experiences. Methods: We analyzed repeated cross-sectional data from the 2023 US Census Household Pulse Survey, a nationwide survey of US adults. Outcomes were based on the following question: “In the past month, have you or a member of your household been directly affected by the following?” We created binary indicators based on the following response options: (1) “Shortage of prescription medications, which includes any medicine required or provided by a healthcare provider, pharmacist, or hospital” and (2) “Shortage of over-the-counter medications, encompassing any medication available without a prescription.” Sociodemographic factors included age, gender identity, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, household income, number of children, employment status, health insurance coverage, at risk for depression/anxiety, disability status, and region. Weighted multivariable models accounted for the complex survey design and estimated adjusted odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: We found that more experiences with prescribed and over-the-counter medication shortages were associated with middle age, transgender/other gender identity, non-Hispanic Other race/ethnicity, higher educational attainment, having at least one child, at risk for depression or anxiety, and being disabled. In contrast, fewer experiences with prescribed and over-the-counter medication shortages were associated with higher household income. Conclusions: Sociodemographic variation exist in experiences with medication shortages among US adults. These findings underscore the need to bolster the pharmaceutical supply chain to mitigate inequities in medication access.Structural Determinants of Health Literacy Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals : Insights From the Survey of Racism and Public Health
AbstractBather, J. R., Goodman, M., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Health literacy research and practiceVolume
9Issue
1Page(s)
e8-e18AbstractBACKGROUND: Formerly incarcerated individuals (FIIs) encounter difficulties with covering the cost of dental and medical care, adhering to medication regimens, and receiving fair treatment from health care providers. Yet, no published research has examined modifiable pathways to increase FIIs' health literacy (HL), which is essential for addressing the health needs of this vulnerable population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to examine neighborhood characteristics (neighborhood deprivation, racial and economic polarization, and residential segregation) and public assistance program enrollment as structural determinants of limited health literacy (LHL) among FIIs. METHODS: Using a socioecological framework, we analyzed a subsample of 578 FIIs from the 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health, an online cross-sectional survey spanning U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Regions 1, 2, and 3. HL was assessed using the Brief Health Literacy Screen. Logistic regression models estimated unadjusted and adjusted associations of LHL with neighborhood characteristics and public assistance program enrollment. Adjusted models controlled for age, race and ethnicity, gender identity, educational attainment, marital and employment status, number of children, chronic health conditions, and incarceration length. KEY RESULTS: The 578 FIIs had an average age of 46, with 42% having LHL. We observed a statistically significant association between public assistance program enrollment and LHL (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.87, 4.01; adjusted OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.62, 3.88). We found no statistically significant associations of LHL with neighborhood deprivation, racial and economic polarization, and residential segregation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there may be an opportunity to develop tailored interventions for increasing HL among FIIs through public assistance programs. Dissemination of HL resources among this marginalized group can improve their self-management of chronic diseases. This is of paramount importance because FIIs must simultaneously navigate other challenges after incarceration (e.g., unstable housing). [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2025;9(1):e8-e18.].Three underused statistical methods in social epidemiology: multiple informant models, fractional regression, and restricted mean survival time
AbstractFang, J., Goodman, M., Wizentier, M. M. M., Cuevas, A. G., & Bather, J. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
American journal of epidemiologyVolume
194Issue
11Page(s)
3140-3147AbstractWe recommend 3 well-established yet underused statistical methods in social epidemiology: multiple informant models, the fractional regression model, and the restricted mean survival time. Multiple informant models improve how we identify critical windows of exposure over time. The fractional regression model addresses the inadequacies of ordinary least squares and logistic regression when dealing with fractional outcomes that are naturally proportions or rates, thereby accommodating data at the boundaries of the unit interval without requiring transformations. The restricted mean survival time offers a robust alternative to the hazard ratio in the presence of nonproportional hazards, providing an interpretable summary of treatment effects over time that is not dependent on the proportional hazards assumption. We illustrate the utility of each method using simulated case examples. These methodologies enrich the analytical toolbox of social epidemiologists, offering refined approaches to unraveling the complexities of social determinants of health inequities. This article is part of a Special Collection on Methods in Social Epidemiology.Working from Home is Associated with Lower Odds of Inflation Stress Among Employed US Adults in the Household Pulse Survey
AbstractGoodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
WORKAbstract~Working from home is associated with lower odds of inflation stress Among employed US adults in the Household Pulse Survey
AbstractBather, J. R., Pagan, J., Furr-Holden, D., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
WorkVolume
81Issue
2Page(s)
2563-2573AbstractBackground: Recent shifts in hybrid working practices have coincided with rising prices, potentially inducing inflation-related stress among employees. Objective: To investigate associations between remote work status and self-reported inflation-related stress among employed US adults in an overall sample and stratified by gender identity and race/ethnicity. Methods: We pooled data across 15 survey cycles (September 2022-October 2023) from the US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. Remote work status was measured as 0, 1–2, 3–4, and 5 + days. Covariates included age, marital status, education, income, number of children, employment sector, region, and survey cycle. Results: The weighted sample comprised 48,686,575 individuals (0 days = 24%, 1–2 days = 23%, 3–4 days = 15%, and 5 + days = 38%), with 93% who self-reported stress related to inflation. Among the overall sample, employed individuals working remotely for 5 + days (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.80, 0.95) had lower odds of self-reported inflation stress than workers with zero remote workdays. Similar associations were found among males (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98), females (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76, 0.99), White individuals (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77, 0.93), and individuals of other race/ethnicity (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37, 0.90). We did not find any statistically significant remote work associations with self-reported inflation stress among Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals. Conclusions: Our findings have important implications for occupational health, elucidating a potential positive relationship between remote work and inflation stress. These findings can inform how organizations shape their hybrid-working policies to minimize financial stress on employees.A training protocol compliance of 13% was observed in a research study of clinical research professionals
AbstractSolomon, E. D., Mozersky, J., Parsons, M. V., Baldwin, K., Goodman, M., & DuBois, J. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
BMC research notesVolume
17Issue
1AbstractObjective: We attempted to conduct a randomized controlled trial of three different informed consent training formats to evaluate their effectiveness. We recruited 503 clinical research professionals, who received $50 for participation. Incidental findings showed unexpectedly low rates of compliance with completing the study training protocols, resulting in insufficient statistical power to test our original hypotheses. In this report, we conducted a secondary analysis of the data in which we characterize and evaluate the observed low compliance. This involved using literature on average reading times, speed-reading times, and video play speeds to calculate the timeframes required to complete the three training formats. Results: Only 13% of participants completed the training in a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, only 46% of participants completed the training in the minimum possible timeframe. These findings lead us to ask whether online research training is effective, since no training can be effective if participants do not actually complete the training. Given extensive requirements for educational training among clinical research professionals, we feel the burden of proof is on training programs to demonstrate that they have positive effects.An Immediate but Fleeting Interest in MPH Programs After the Onset of COVID-19 : An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
AbstractBather, J. R., Burke, E. M., Plepys, C. M., Rajbhandari-Thapa, J., Furr-Holden, D., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
Public Health ReportsAbstractObjectives: The relationship between the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and interest in master of public health (MPH) programs is unknown. We examined trends in MPH application rates for 31 MPH concentrations and specifically for the MPH concentration in epidemiology and differences by race and ethnicity before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We constructed a quasi-experimental design to examine trends in MPH application rates from academic years 2015-2016 through 2022-2023 by using Centralized Application Service for Schools and Programs of Public Health data. We used an interrupted time-series analysis to test whether application rates surged after the pandemic’s onset (academic years 2019-2020 through 2020-2021) and whether this increase persisted during the pandemic (academic years 2020-2021 through 2022-2023). We fit models for the overall sample, a combined racially and ethnically minoritized sample, each racial and ethnic group separately, and a non–US citizen sample. Results: The pandemic’s onset correlated with an immediate increase in application rates across most samples: overall (38%) and among American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (91%), Asian (35%), Black (42%), Hispanic (60%), multiracial (30%), racially and ethnically minoritized (44%), and White (53%) samples. However, this trend was not sustained; application rate trends during the pandemic were significantly lower than prepandemic trends. Application rate trends for all MPH concentrations and the MPH in epidemiology concentration among non–US citizens were significantly higher during the pandemic than prepandemic. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need for innovative strategies to sustain MPH degree interest and a diverse applicant pool.Application of a Heuristic Framework for Multilevel Interventions to Eliminate the Impact of Unjust Social Processes and Other Harmful Social Determinants of Health
AbstractGuilamo-Ramos, V., Thimm-Kaiser, M., Benzekri, A., Johnson, C., Williams, D. T., Wilhelm-Hilkey, N., Goodman, M., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
Prevention ScienceAbstractThere is consensus about the importance of developing a strong cadre of effective multilevel interventions to eliminate the impacts of unjust social processes, such as structural racism and other harmful social determinants of health (SDOH), on health inequities in the USA. However, the available cadre of rigorously evaluated evidence-based interventions for SDOH mitigation remains underdeveloped relative to the magnitude of historic and current health inequities. The proposed manuscript addresses this gap in two ways: first, by introducing a heuristic framework to inform decisions in multilevel intervention development, study design, and selection of analytic methods and, second, by providing a roadmap for future applications of the framework in multilevel intervention research through an exemplar application using the ongoing NIH-funded evaluation study of the Nurse-Community-Family Partnership (NCFP) intervention. NCFP leverages individual, family, institutional, and system factors to shape COVID-19 mitigation outcomes at the individual and household levels. NCFP takes an approach informed by the heuristic framework to addressing and mitigating unjust social processes and other harmful SDOH. We discuss the application of a two-arm parallel explanatory group randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of NCFP in improving the primary (COVID-19 testing uptake) and secondary (adoption of COVID-19 control measures, COVID-19 vaccine uptake, mutual aid capacity, etc.) outcomes at the individual and household levels. The analysis approach relies on random-intercept models, and we calculate the variance partitioning coefficient to estimate the extent to which household- and individual-level variables contribute to the outcome, allowing examination of NCFP effects at multiple levels.Associations between perceived discrimination over the life course, subjective social status, and health literacy : A racial/ethnic stratification analysis
AbstractBather, J. R., Cuevas, A. G., Harris, A., Kaphingst, K. A., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
PEC InnovationVolume
5AbstractObjective: To analyze the relationship between perceived discrimination over the life course, social status, and limited health literacy (HL). Methods: 5040 adults who participated in the 2023 Survey of Racism and Public Health. We applied stratified multilevel models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: The average age was 47 years, 48% identified as White, 20% as Latinx, and 17% as Black. In the overall sample, we observed associations of perceived discrimination (b = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.09), subjective social status (b = −0.16, 95% CI: −0.23, −0.10), and their interaction (b = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03). More perceived discrimination was associated with lower HL in the White and Multiracial participants. Higher subjective social status was associated with higher HL in the White and Latinx participants. There was a statistically significant interaction between perceived discrimination and subjective social status on HL among the White, Latinx, and Multiracial participants. Conclusion: This analysis has implications for public health practice, indicating that multi-level interventions are needed to address limited HL. Innovation: Our findings provide novel insights for identifying key SDOH indicators to assess in clinical settings to provide health literate care.Associations Between Perceived Discrimination Over the Life Course, Subjective Social Status, and Health Literacy: A Racial Stratification Analysis
AbstractGoodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
PEC InnovationAbstract~Associations between subjective social status and predictors of interest in genetic testing among women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age
AbstractOdumegwu, J. N., Chavez-Yenter, D., Goodman, M., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
Cancer Causes and ControlAbstractPurpose: Genetic testing for gene mutations which elevate risk for breast cancer is particularly important for women diagnosed at a young age. Differences remain in access and utilization to testing across social groups, and research on the predictors of interest in genetic testing for women diagnosed at a young age is limited. Methods: We examined the relationships between subjective social status (SSS) and variables previously identified as possible predictors of genetic testing, including genome sequencing knowledge, genetic worry, cancer worry, health consciousness, decision-making preferences, genetic self-efficacy, genetic-related beliefs, and subjective numeracy, among a cohort of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. Results: In this sample (n = 1,076), those who had higher SSS had significantly higher knowledge about the limitations of genome sequencing (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.01−1.21) and significantly higher informational norms (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.19−3.14) than those with lower SSS. Similarly, education (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.79−4.22), health status (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.44−3.31) were significant predictors among higher SSS women compared to lower SSS women in our multivariate analysis. Lower SSS women with low self-reported income (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.08−0.20) had lower odds of genetic testing interest. Our results are consistent with some prior research utilizing proxy indicators for socioeconomic status, but our research adds the importance of using a multidimensional indicator such as SSS to examine cancer and genetic testing predictor outcomes. Conclusion: To develop interventions to improve genetic knowledge, researchers should consider the social status and contexts of women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age (or before 40 years old) to ensure equity in the distribution of genetic testing benefits.