Melody Goodman
Melody Goodman
Scroll
Interim Dean, School of Global Public Health
Professor of Biostatistics
-
Professional overview
-
Dr. Melody S. Goodman is a biostatistician and research methodologist. Her research interest is identifying the origins of health inequities and developing, as necessary, evidence-informed primary prevention strategies to reduce these health inequities. Dr. Goodman’s research efforts seek to develop a more rigorous understanding of the social risk factors contributing to urban health inequities to develop culturally competent, region-specific solutions through collaborative activities with community members, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and other community health stakeholders. Her work aims to develop solutions for improving health in minoritized and medically underserved communities.
Dr. Goodman led the team that developed and comprehensively evaluated the Research Engagement Survey Tool, a quantitative survey measure to assess the level of community engagement in research studies from the community partner perspective. She is the Founding Director of the Center for Antiracism, Social Justice, & Public Health. 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 100 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. She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and the inaugural recipient of the Societal Impact Award from the Caucus for Women in Statistics (2021).
-
Education
-
BS, Economics and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NYMS, Biostatistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MAPhD, Biostatistics (Minors: Social Determinants of Health Disparities and Theoretical Statistics), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
-
Honors and awards
-
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)
-
Areas of research and study
-
BiostatisticsCommunity HealthCommunity-based Participatory ResearchDissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based ProgramsHealth DisparitiesHealth EquityMinoritiesMinority HealthQuantitative Research
-
Publications
Publications
Effect of cognitive dysfunction on the relationship between age and health literacy
AbstractKaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M. S., MacMillan, W. D., Carpenter, C. R., & Griffey, R. T. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Patient Education and CounselingVolume
95Issue
2Page(s)
218-225AbstractObjective: Age is generally an inverse predictor of health literacy. However, the role of cognitive dysfunction among older adults in this relationship is not understood. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 446 adult patients in a large urban academic level one trauma center, assessing health literacy and cognitive dysfunction. Results: Removing older patients (60 years of age and older) who screened positive for cognitive dysfunction attenuated the relationship between age and health literacy (r= -0.16, p= 0.001 vs. r= -0.35, p< 0.0001). Older patients screening positive for cognitive dysfunction had significantly lower health literacy than older patients screening negative and patients less than 60 years; health literacy scores did not generally differ significantly between the latter groups. Conclusion: Much of the relationship between age and health literacy was driven by cognitive dysfunction among a subset of older adults. Practice implications: Our findings suggest that older patients with cognitive dysfunction have the greatest need for health literacy interventions.Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of brief health literacy and numeracy screening instruments in an urban emergency department
AbstractCarpenter, C. R., Kaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M. S., Lin, M. J., Melson, A. T., & Griffey, R. T. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Academic Emergency MedicineVolume
21Issue
2Page(s)
137-146AbstractObjectives The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of five health literacy screening instruments in emergency department (ED) patients: the Rapid Evaluation of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Revised (REALM-R), the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), Single Item Literacy Screens (SILS), health numeracy, and physician gestalt. A secondary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of these instruments as measured by administration time, time on task, and interruptions during test administration. Methods This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study of a convenience sampling of adult patients presenting during March 2011 and February 2012 to one urban university- affiliated ED. Subjects were consenting non-critically ill, English-speaking patients over the age of 18 years without aphasia, dementia, mental retardation, or inability to communicate. The diagnostic test characteristics of the REALM-R, NVS, SILS, health numeracy, and physician gestalt were quantitatively assessed by using the short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). A score of 22 or less was the criterion standard for limited health literacy (LHL). Results A total of 435 participants were enrolled, with a mean (±SD) age of 45 (±15.7) years, and 18% had less than a high school education. As defined by an S-TOFHLA score of 22 or less, the prevalence of LHL was 23.9%. In contrast, the NVS, REALM-R, and physician gestalt identified 64.8, 48.5, and 35% of participants as LHL, respectively. A normal NVS screen was the most useful test to exclude LHL, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01 to 0.17). When abnormal, none of the screening instruments, including physician gestalt, significantly increased the posttest probability of LHL. The NVS and REALM-R require 3 and 5 minutes less time to administer than the S-TOFHLA. Administration of the REALM-R is associated with fewer test interruptions. Conclusions One-quarter of these ED patients had marginal or inadequate health literacy. Among the brief screening instruments evaluated, a normal NVS result accurately reduced the probability of LHL, although it will identify two-thirds of ED patients as high risk for LHL. None of the brief screening instruments significantly increases the probability of LHL when abnormal.Is low health literacy associated with increased emergency department utilization and recidivism?
AbstractGriffey, R. T., Kennedy, S. K., McGownan, L., Goodman, M., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Academic Emergency MedicineVolume
21Issue
10Page(s)
1109-1115AbstractObjectives: The objective was to determine whether patients with low health literacy have higher emergency department (ED) utilization and higher ED recidivism than patients with adequate health literacy. Methods: The study was conducted at an urban academic ED with more than 95,000 annual visits that is part of a 13-hospital health system, using electronic records that are captured in a central data repository. As part of a larger, cross-sectional, convenience sample study, health literacy testing was performed using the short test of functional health literacy in adults (S-TOFHLA) and standard test thresholds identifying those with inadequate, marginal, and adequate health literacy. The authors collected patients' demographic and clinical data, including items known to affect recidivism. This was a structured electronic record review directed at determining 1) the median number of total ED visits in this health system within a 2-year period and 2) the proportion of patients with each level of health literacy who had return visits within 3, 7, and 14 days of index visits. Descriptive data for demographics and ED returns are reported, stratified by health literacy level. The Mantel-Haenszel chi-square was used to test whether there is an association between health literacy and ED recidivism. A negative binomial multivariable model was performed to examine whether health literacy affects ED use, including variables significant at the 0.1 alpha level on bivariate analysis and retaining those significant at an alpha of 0.05 in the final model. Results: Among 431 patients evaluated, 13.2% had inadequate, 10% had marginal, and 76.3% had adequate health literacy as identified by S-TOFHLA. Patients with inadequate health literacy had higher ED utilization compared to those with adequate health literacy (p = 0.03). Variables retained in the final model included S-TOFHLA score, number of medications, having a personal doctor, being a property owner, race, insurance, age, and simple comorbidity score. During the study period, 118 unique patients each made at least one return ED visit within a 14-day period. The proportion of patients with inadequate health literacy making at least one return visit was higher than that of patients with adequate health literacy at 14 days, but was not significantly higher within 3 or 7 days. Conclusions: In this single-center study, higher utilization of the ED by patients with inadequate health literacy when compared to those with adequate health literacy was observed. Patients with inadequate health literacy made a higher number of return visits at 14 days but not at 3 or 7 days.Perceived barriers to mammography among underserved women in a Breast Health Center Outreach Program
AbstractFayanju, O. M., Kraenzle, S., Drake, B. F., Oka, M., & Goodman, M. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
American Journal of SurgeryVolume
208Issue
3Page(s)
425-434AbstractBackground To investigate perceived barriers to mammography among underserved women, we asked participants in the Siteman Cancer Center Mammography Outreach Registry-developed in 2006 to evaluate mobile mammography's effectiveness among the underserved-why they believed women did not get mammograms. Methods The responses of approximately 9,000 registrants were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. We report adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) significant at 2-tailed P values less than.05. Results Fears of cost (40%), mammogram-related pain (13%), and bad news (13%) were the most commonly reported barriers. Having insurance was associated with not perceiving cost as a barrier (OR.44, 95% CI.40 to.49), but with perceiving fear of both mammogram-related pain (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.60) and receiving bad news (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.60) as barriers. Conclusion Despite free services, underserved women continue to report experiential and psychological obstacles to mammography, suggesting the need for more targeted education and outreach in this population.Racial disparities in risk of second breast tumors after ductal carcinoma in situ
AbstractLiu, Y., Colditz, G. A., Gehlert, S., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Breast Cancer Research and TreatmentVolume
148Issue
1Page(s)
163-173AbstractThe purpose of the study was to examine the impact of race/ethnicity on second breast tumors among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We identified 102,489 women diagnosed with primary DCIS between 1988 and 2009 from the 18 NCI-SEER Registries. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate race/ethnicity-associated relative risks (RRs) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of ipsilateral breast tumors (IBT; defined as DCIS or invasive carcinoma in the ipsilateral breast) and contralateral breast tumors (CBT; defined as DCIS or invasive carcinoma in the contralateral breast). Overall, 2,925 women had IBT and 3,723 had CBT. Compared with white women, black (RR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.29–1.65), and Hispanic (RR 1.18; 95 % CI 1.03–1.36) women had higher IBT risk, which was similar for invasive IBT and ipsilateral DCIS. A significant increase in IBT risk among black women persisted, regardless of age at diagnosis, treatment, tumor grade, tumor size, and histology. The CBT risk was significantly increased among black (RR 1.21; 95 % CI 1.08–1.36) and Asian/PI (RR 1.16; 95 % CI 1.02–1.31) women compared with white women. The association was stronger for invasive CBT among black women and for contralateral DCIS among Asian/PI women (Pheterogeneity < 0.0001). The black race-associated CBT risk was more pronounced among women ≥50 years at diagnosis and those with comedo DCIS; in contrast, a significant increase in risk among Asian/PI women was restricted to those <50 years and those with noncomedo DCIS. Racial/ethnic differences in risks of second breast tumors after DCIS could not be explained by pathologic features and treatment.Responses to genomic information by race/ethnicity in a medically underserved population
Kaphingst, K. A., Stafford, J. D., D’Agostino-McGowan, L., Seo, J., Lachance, C., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Health PsychologyVolume
95Issue
2Page(s)
218Screening for colorectal cancer: Using data to set prevention priorities
AbstractColditz, G. A., McGowan, L. D., James, A. S., Bohlke, K., & Goodman, M. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Cancer Causes and ControlVolume
25Issue
1Page(s)
93-98AbstractIntroduction: Adherence to colorectal cancer screening recommendations is known to vary by state, but less information is available about within-state variability. In the current study, we assess county-level screening rates for Missouri, with the goal of better targeting public health efforts to increase screening. Methods: Prevalence of colorectal cancer screening among Missouri adults between the ages of 50 and 74 was obtained from 2008 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. We used multilevel logistic regression to generate county-specific estimates. After excluding 77 counties with fewer than 30 respondents, information was available about 3,739 individuals in 37 counties, representing 78.5 % of the state population. Results: Across counties, the prevalence of being up-to-date with recommended colorectal cancer screening ranged from 25 to 70 %. Conclusion: State-level information about colorectal cancer screening masks substantial within-state variability. Assessing and monitoring county-level disparities in screening can guide public health efforts to increase screening and reduce colorectal cancer mortality. More complete population survey data will make such analysis possible.Urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptom flares: Characterisation of the full range of flares at two sites in the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network
AbstractSutcliffe, S., Colditz, G. A., Goodman, M. S., Pakpahan, R., Vetter, J., Ness, T. J., Andriole, G. L., & Lai, H. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
BJU InternationalVolume
114Issue
6Page(s)
916-925AbstractObjectives To describe the full range of symptom exacerbations defined by people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome as 'flares', and to investigate their associated healthcare utilization and bother at two sites of the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Epidemiology and Phenotyping study. Subjects and Methods Participants completed a flare survey that asked them: 1) whether they had ever had flares ('symptoms that are much worse than usual') that lasted <1 h, >1 h and <1 day, and >1 day; and 2) for each duration of flare, to report: their average length and frequency; their typical levels of urological and pelvic pain symptoms; and their levels of healthcare utilization and bother. We compared participants' responses to their non-flare MAPP values and by duration of flare using generalized linear mixed models. Results Of 85 participants, 76 (89.4%) completed the flare survey, 72 (94.7%) of whom reported experiencing flares. Flares varied widely in terms of their duration (seconds to months), frequency (several times per day to once per year or less), and intensity and type of symptoms (e.g. pelvic pain vs urological symptoms). Flares of all durations were associated with greater pelvic pain, urological symptoms, disruption to participants' activities and bother, with increasing severity of each of these factors as the duration of flares increased. Days-long flares were also associated with greater healthcare utilization. In addition to duration, symptoms (pelvic pain, in particular) were also significant determinants of flare-related bother. Conclusions Our findings suggest that flares are common and associated with greater symptoms, healthcare utilization, disruption and bother. Our findings also show the characteristics of flares most bothersome to patients (i.e. increased pelvic pain and duration), and thus of greatest importance to consider in future research on flare prevention and treatment.An institutional strategy to increase minority recruitment to therapeutic trials
AbstractAnwuri, V. V., Hall, L. E., Mathews, K., Springer, B. C., Tappenden, J. R., Farria, D. M., Jackson, S., Goodman, M. S., Eberlein, T. J., & Colditz, G. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Cancer Causes and ControlVolume
24Issue
10Page(s)
1797-1809AbstractPurpose: Participation in therapeutic clinical trials rarely reflects the race and ethnic composition of the patient population. To meet National Institutes of Health-mandated goals, strategies to increase participation are required. We present a framework for institutional enhancement of minority clinical trial accrual. Methods: We implemented structural changes on four levels to induce and sustain minority accrual to clinical trials: (1) leadership support; (2) center-wide policy change; (3) infrastructural process control, data analysis, and reporting; and (4) follow-up with clinical investigators. A Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee reviews studies and monitors accrual, and the Program for the Elimination Cancer Disparities leads efforts for proportional accrual, supporting the system through data tracking, Web tools, and feedback to investigators. Results: Following implementation in 2005, minority accrual to therapeutic trials increased from 12.0 % in 2005 to 14.0 % in 2010. The "rolling average" minority cancer incidence at the institution during this timeframe was 17.5 %. In addition to therapeutic trial accrual rates, we note significant increase in the number of minorities participating in all trials (therapeutic and nontherapeutic) from 2005 to 2010 (346-552, 60 % increase, p < 0.05) compared to a 52 % increase for Caucasians. Conclusions: Implementing a system to aid investigators in planning and establishing targets for accrual, while requiring this component as a part of annual protocol review and monitoring of accrual, offers a successful strategy that can be replicated in other cancer centers, an approach that may extend to other clinical and translational research centers.Availability of and Ease of Access to Calorie Information on Restaurant Websites
AbstractBennett, G. G., Steinberg, D. M., Lanpher, M. G., Askew, S., Lane, I. B., Levine, E. L., Goodman, M. S., & Foley, P. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
PloS oneVolume
8Issue
8AbstractObjective:Offering calories on restaurant websites might be particularly important for consumer meal planning, but the availability of and ease of accessing this information are unknown.Methods:We assessed websites for the top 100 U.S. chain restaurants to determine the availability of and ease of access to calorie information as well as website design characteristics. We also examined potential predictors of calorie availability and ease of access.Results:Eighty-two percent of restaurants provided calorie information on their websites; 25% presented calories on a mobile-formatted website. On average, calories could be accessed in 2.35±0.99 clicks. About half of sites (51.2%) linked to calorie information via the homepage. Fewer than half had a separate section identifying healthful options (46.3%), or utilized interactive meal planning tools (35.4%). Quick service/fast casual, larger restaurants, and those with less expensive entrées and lower revenue were more likely to make calorie information available. There were no predictors of ease of access.Conclusion:Calorie information is both available and largely accessible on the websites of America's leading restaurants. It is unclear whether consumer behavior is affected by the variability in the presentation of calorie information.Examining infant and neonatal mortality by community health center concentration
Barnes, P. A., Goodman, M., Mathis, A., Shah, G. H., & Oka, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
European Journal of Scientific ResearchPage(s)
547Family Health History Communication Networks of Older Adults: Importance of Social Relationships and Disease Perceptions
AbstractAshida, S., Kaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M., & Schafer, E. J. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Health Education and BehaviorVolume
40Issue
5Page(s)
612-619AbstractOlder individuals play a critical role in disseminating family health history (FHH) information that can facilitate disease prevention among younger family members. This study evaluated the characteristics of older adults and their familial networks associated with two types of communication (have shared and intend to share new FHH information with family members) to inform public health efforts to facilitate FHH dissemination. Information on 970 social network members enumerated by 99 seniors (aged 57 years and older) at 3 senior centers in Memphis, Tennessee, through face-to-face interviews was analyzed. Participants shared FHH information with 27.5% of the network members; 54.7% of children and 24.4% of siblings. Two-level logistic regression models showed that participants had shared FHH with those to whom they provided emotional support (odds ratio [OR] = 1.836) and felt close to (OR = 1.757). Network-members were more likely to have received FHH from participants with a cancer diagnosis (OR = 2.617) and higher familiarity with (OR = 1.380) and importance of sharing FHH with family (OR = 1.474). Participants intended to share new FHH with those who provide tangible support to (OR = 1.804) and were very close to them (OR = 2.112). Members with whom participants intend to share new FHH were more likely to belong to the network of participants with higher perceived severity if family members encountered heart disease (OR = 1.329). Many first-degree relatives were not informed of FHH. Perceptions about FHH and disease risk as well as quality of social relationships may play roles in whether seniors communicate FHH with their families. Future studies may consider influencing these perceptions and relationships.Hidalgo and goodman respond
Hidalgo, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.). In American journal of public health (1–).Publication year
2013Volume
103Issue
6Page(s)
e1-e2Spatial and Racial Patterning of Real Estate Broker Listings in New York City
AbstractKwate, N. O. A., Goodman, M. S., Jackson, J., & Harris, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Review of Black Political EconomyVolume
40Issue
4Page(s)
401-424AbstractIt has been well documented that Black homeseekers face discrimination in the housing market in the form of racial steering and other institutional policies and practices that are critical in limiting housing access. Less is known about the mechanisms that operate on the other side of real estate transactions to perpetuate racially segregated neighborhoods. We investigated whether White and Black brokers face segregation in the housing market. That is, to what extent do White and Black brokers differentially market property listings in neighborhoods of varying racial composition? Using real estate listings extracted from the websites of two of the largest New York City real estate brokerages, we examined whether Black and White brokers market properties primarily in Black and White neighborhoods, respectively; and whether, controlling for gender and experience level, Black brokers had a lower average price per square foot than White brokers. Results showed that Black brokers overwhelmingly marketed properties in Black neighborhoods, with fewer listings in White areas. Black brokers also marketed properties with an average price per square foot that was $197 lower than White brokers. Black brokers who worked in offices in Black neighborhoods had the lowest asking price of all brokers. Taken together, Black and White real estate brokers control a bifurcated market in NYC, perpetuating residential segregation and Black-White income and wealth disparities.Using small-area analysis to estimate county-level racial disparities in obesity demonstrating the necessity of targeted interventions
AbstractD’Agostino-McGowan, L., Gennarelli, R. L., Lyons, S. A., & Goodman, M. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
International journal of environmental research and public healthVolume
11Issue
1Page(s)
418-428AbstractData on the national and state levels is often used to inform policy decisions and strategies designed to reduce racial disparities in obesity. Obesity-related health outcomes are realized on the individual level, and policies based on state and national-level data may be inappropriate due to the variations in health outcomes within and between states. To examine county-level variation of obesity within states, we use a small-area analysis technique to fill the void for county-level obesity data by race. Five years of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data are used to estimate the prevalence of obesity by county, both overall and race-stratified. A modified weighting system is used based on demographics at the county level using 2010 census data. We fit a multilevel reweighted regression model to obtain county-level prevalence estimates by race. We compare the distribution of prevalence estimates of non-Hispanic Blacks to non-Hispanic Whites. For 25 of the 26 states included in our analysis there is a statistically significant difference between within-state county-level average obesity prevalence rates for non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. This study provides information needed to target disparities interventions and resources to the local areas with greatest need; it also identifies the necessity of doing so.Factors affecting frequency of communication about family health history with family members and doctors in a medically underserved population
AbstractKaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M., Pandya, C., Garg, P., Stafford, J., & Lachance, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Patient Education and CounselingVolume
88Issue
2Page(s)
291-297AbstractObjective: Family history contributes to risk for many common chronic diseases. Little research has investigated patient factors affecting communication of this information. Methods: 1061 adult community health center patients were surveyed. We examined factors related to frequency of discussions about family health history (FHH) with family members and doctors. Results: Patients who talked frequently with family members about FHH were more likely to report a family history of cancer (p=.012) and heart disease (p<.001), seek health information frequently in newspapers (p<.001) and in general (p<.001), and be female (p<.001). Patients who talked frequently with doctors about FHH were more likely to report a family history of heart disease (p=.011), meet physical activity recommendations (p=.022), seek health information frequently in newspapers (p<.001) and in general (p<.001), be female (p<.001), and not have experienced racial discrimination in healthcare (p<.001). Conclusion: Patients with a family history of some diseases, those not meeting physical activity recommendations, and those who do not frequently seek health information may not have ongoing FHH discussions. Practice implications: Interventions are needed to encourage providers to update patients' family histories systematically and assist patients in initiating FHH conversations in order to use this information for disease prevention and control.Nonparametric diagnostic test for conditional logistic regression
Goodman, M., & Li, Y. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Biometrics and BiostatisticsPerceived familiarity with and importance of family health history among a medically underserved population
AbstractAshida, S., Goodman, M. S., Stafford, J., Lachance, C., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Community GeneticsVolume
3Issue
4Page(s)
285-295AbstractInadequate knowledge of family health history (FHH) continues to be a major obstacle limiting its usefulness in public health and clinical practice; strategies to facilitate FHH dissemination are needed. Data (N0 1,334) were obtained through waiting-room surveys completed by a diverse sample of patients attending three community health centers. Perceptions about the importance of genetic information (β00.13, p<0.001; β00.11, p<0.001) and higher genetic self-efficacy (β00.14, p<0.001; β00.23, p<0.001) were significantly associated with higher levels of perceived familiarity with and importance of FHH, respectively. Furthermore, beliefs about genetic causation of illnesses (β00.12, p<0.001) and a wider reach of health communication within one's family (β00.15, p<0.001) were associated with higher levels of perceived familiarity with one's FHH. Participants in the oldest group (>50 years) reported higher familiarity than those in the youngest (18-25 years). Those with higher familiarity were significantly less likely to answer "don't know" when reporting diabetes and heart disease diagnoses among immediate (OR00.35 and OR00.29, respectively) and extended (OR00.50 and OR00.46, respectively) family members. Having a wider health communication reach within a family may be beneficial in increasing familiarity with FHH; however, the reported levels of communication reach were limited among most participants. Women, older-generation family members, and those who believe in the importance of genetics in health or feel confident about using genetic information may be particularly important as targets of public health interventions to facilitate FHH dissemination within families.Quantitative assessment of participant knowledge and evaluation of participant satisfaction in the CARES training program
AbstractGoodman, M. S., Si, X., Stafford, J. D., Obasohan, A., & Mchunguzi, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and ActionVolume
6Issue
3Page(s)
361-368AbstractBackground: The purpose of the Community Alliance for Research Empowering Social change (CARES) training program was to (1) train community members on evidencebased public health, (2) increase their scientific literacy, and (3) develop the infrastructure for community-based participatory research (CBPR). Objectives: We assessed participant knowledge and evaluated participant satisfaction of the CARES training program to identify learning needs, obtain valuable feedback about the training, and ensure learning objectives were met through mutually beneficial CBPR approaches. Methods: A baseline assessment was administered before the first training session and a follow-up assessment and evaluation was administered after the final training session. At each training session a pretest was administered before the session and a posttest and evaluation were administered at the end of the session. After training session six, a midtraining evaluation was administered. We analyze results from quantitative questions on the assessments, pre- and post-tests, and evaluations. Results: CARES fellows knowledge increased at follow-up (75% of questions were answered correctly on average) compared with baseline (38% of questions were answered correctly on average) assessment; post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores in 9 out of 11 sessions. Fellows enjoyed the training and rated all sessions well on the evaluations. Conclusions: The CARES fellows training program was successful in participant satisfaction and increasing community knowledge of public health, CBPR, and research methodology. Engaging and training community members in evidence-based public health research can develop an infrastructure for community-academic research partnerships.Relationship between perceived racial composition and health literacy among community health center patients
Kaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M., Pyke, O., Stafford, J. D., & Lachance, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Health Education and BehaviorPage(s)
35Relationship between self-reported racial composition of high school and health literacy among community health center patients
AbstractKaphingst, K. A., Goodman, M., Pyke, O., Stafford, J., & Lachance, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Health Education and BehaviorVolume
39Issue
1Page(s)
35-44AbstractIntervention and policy approaches targeting the societal factors that affect health literacy (e.g., educational systems) could have promise to improve health outcomes, but little research has investigated these factors. This study examined the associations between self-reported racial composition of prior educational and neighborhood contexts and health literacy among 1,061 English-and Spanish-speaking adult community health center patients. The authors found that self-reported racial composition of high school was a significant predictor of health literacy among those who received schooling in the United States, controlling for race/ethnicity, education, age, country of birth, and survey language. Black and Hispanic patients had significantly lower health literacy than White patients within educational strata among those schooled in the United States. The findings revealed substantial disparities in health literacy. Self-reported racial composition of school context was a significant predictor of health literacy. Transdisciplinary, multilevel intervention approaches are likely to be needed to address the health literacy needs of this population.Self-reported segregation experience throughout the life course and its association with adequate health literacy
AbstractGoodman, M. S., Gaskin, D. J., Si, X., Stafford, J. D., Lachance, C., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Health and PlaceVolume
18Issue
5Page(s)
1115-1121AbstractResidential segregation has been shown to be associated with health outcomes and health care utilization. We examined the association between racial composition of five physical environments throughout the life course and adequate health literacy among 836 community health center patients in Suffolk County, NY. Respondents who attended a mostly White junior high school or currently lived in a mostly White neighborhood were more likely to have adequate health literacy compared to those educated or living in predominantly minority or diverse environments. This association was independent of the respondent's race, ethnicity, age, education, and country of birth.Validation of self-reported measures in health disparities research
Hidalgo, B., & Goodman, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Biometrics and BiostatisticsWeight perceptions and perceived risk for diabetes and heart disease among overweight and obese women, Suffolk County, New York, 2008
AbstractDarlow, S., Goodman, M. S., Stafford, J. D., Lachance, C. R., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Preventing Chronic DiseaseVolume
9Issue
4AbstractIntroduction: Many Americans fail to accurately identify themselves as overweight and underestimate their risk for obesity-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between weight perceptions and perceived risk for diabetes and heart disease among overweight or obese women. Methods: We examined survey responses from 397 overweight or obese female health center patients on disease risk perceptions and weight perceptions. We derived odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine predictors of perceived risk for diabetes and heart disease. We further stratified results by health literacy. Results: Perceiving oneself as overweight (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.16-6.66), believing that being overweight is a personal health problem (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.26-4.80), and family history of diabetes (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.53-6.78) were associated with greater perceived risk for diabetes. Perceiving oneself as overweight (OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.26-14.86) and family history of heart disease (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.08-4.69) were associated with greater perceived risk for heart disease. Among respondents with higher health literacy, believing that being overweight was a personal health problem was associated with greater perceived risk for diabetes (OR, 4.91; 95% CI, 1.68-14.35). Among respondents with lower health literacy, perceiving oneself as overweight was associated with greater perceived risk for heart disease (OR, 4.69; 95% CI, 1.02-21.62). Conclusion: Our findings indicate an association between accurate weight perceptions and perceived risk for diabetes and heart disease in overweight or obese women. This study adds to research on disease risk perceptions in at-risk populations.Age differences in genetic knowledge, health literacy and causal beliefs for health conditions
AbstractAshida, S., Goodman, M., Pandya, C., Koehly, L. M., Lachance, C., Stafford, J., & Kaphingst, K. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Public Health GenomicsVolume
14Issue
4Page(s)
307-316AbstractObjectives: This study examined the levels of genetic knowledge, health literacy and beliefs about causation of health conditions among individuals in different age groups. Methods: Individuals (n = 971) recruited through 8 community health centers in Suffolk County, New York, completed a one-time survey. Results: Levels of genetic knowledge were lower among individuals in older age groups (26-35, p = 0.011; 36-49, p = 0.002; 50 years and older, p<0.001) compared to those in the youngest age group (18-25). Participants in the oldest age group also had lower health literacy than those in the youngest group (p <0.001). Those in the oldest group were more likely to endorse genetic (OR = 1.87, p = 0.008) and less likely to endorse behavioral factors like diet, exercise and smoking (OR = 0.55, p = 0.010) as causes of a person's body weight than those in the youngest group. Higher levels of genetic knowledge were associated with higher likelihood of behavioral attribution for body weight (OR = 1.25, p <0.001). Conclusions: Providing additional information that compensates for their lower genetic knowledge may help individuals in older age groups benefit from rapidly emerging genetic health information more fully. Increasing the levels of genetic knowledge about common complex diseases may help motivate individuals to engage in health promoting behaviors to maintain healthy weight through increases in behavioral causal attributions.