Olugbenga Ogedegbe

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Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Professor for the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Gbenga Ogedegbe, a physician, is Professor of Population Health & Medicine, Chief Division of Health & Behavior and Director Center for Healthful Behavior Change in the Department of Population Health at the School of Medicine. Gbenga is a leading expert on health disparities research; his work focuses on the implementation of evidence-based interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in minority populations. He is Principal Investigator on numerous NIH projects, and has expanded his work globally to Sub-Saharan Africa where he is funded by the NIH to strengthen research capacity and reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases. He has co-authored over 250 publications and his work has been recognized by receipt of several research and mentoring awards including the prestigious John M. Eisenberg Excellence in Mentorship Award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Daniel Savage Science Award. He has served on numerous scientific panels including the NIH, CDC, World Health Organization, and the European Union Research Council. Prior to joining NYU, he was faculty at Cornell Weill Medical School and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Education

MPH from Columbia University, 1999

Residency, Montefiore Medical Center, Internal Medicine, 1998

MD from Donetsk University, 1988

Areas of research and study

Access to Healthcare

Global Health

Health of Marginalized Population

Implementation and Impact of Public Health Regulations

Implementation science

Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease

Publications

A Comparison of Measured and Self-Reported Blood Pressure Status among Low-Income Housing Residents in New York City

A perspective on promoting diversity in the biomedical research workforce: The national heart, lung, and blood institute's pri de program

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Patients Without Heart Failure? Insights from 254,301 Patients from Randomized Trials

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Masked Hypertension: The Jackson Heart Study

Bromfield, S. G., Shimbo, D., Booth, J. N., Correa, A., Ogedegbe, G., Carson, A. P., & Muntner, P. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Hypertension

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

1475-1482

10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.08308

Abstract

Abstract

Masked hypertension is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Identifying modifiable risk factors for masked hypertension could provide approaches to reduce its prevalence. Life's Simple 7 is a measure of cardiovascular health developed by the American Heart Association that includes body mass index, physical activity, diet, cigarette smoking, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, and glucose. We examined the association between cardiovascular health and masked daytime hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study, an exclusively African American cohort. Life's Simple 7 factors were assessed during a study visit and categorized as poor, intermediate, or ideal. Ambulatory BP monitoring was performed after the study visit. Using BP measured between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm on ambulatory BP monitoring, masked daytime hypertension was defined as mean clinic systolic BP/diastolic BP <140/90 mm Hg and mean daytime systolic BP/diastolic BP ≥135/85 mm Hg. Among the 758 participants with systolic BP/diastolic BP <140/90 mm Hg, 30.5% had masked daytime hypertension. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios for masked daytime hypertension comparing participants with 2, 3, and ≥4 versus ≤1 ideal Life's Simple 7 factors were 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-1.33), 0.77 (95% CI, 0.57-1.03), and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.33-0.79), respectively. Masked daytime hypertension was less common among participants with ideal versus poor levels of physical activity (ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56-1.00), ideal or intermediate levels pooled together versus poor diet (prevalence ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.58-0.91), ideal versus poor levels of cigarette smoking (prevalence ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46-0.82), and ideal versus intermediate levels of clinic BP (prevalence ratio, 0.28, 95% CI, 0.16-0.48). Better cardiovascular health is associated with a lower preva lence of masked hypertension.

Cervical Cancer Screening Among Homeless Women of New York City Shelters

Comparative Effectiveness of a Practice-Based Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention vs. Single Session Counseling in Hypertensive Blacks

Effect of Expectation of Care on Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications Among Hypertensive Blacks: Analysis of the Counseling African Americans to Control Hypertension (CAATCH) Trial

Effect of two 12-minute culturally targeted films on intent to call 911 for stroke

Williams, O., Leighton-Herrmann, E., Desorbo, A., Eimicke, J., Abel-Bey, A., Valdez, L., Noble, J., Gordillo, M., Ravenell, J., Ramirez, M., Teresi, J. A., Jean-Louis, G., & Ogedegbe, G. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Neurology

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

1992-1995

10.1212/WNL.0000000000002703

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: We assessed the behavioral effect of two 12-minute culturally targeted stroke films on immediately calling 911 for suspected stroke among black and Hispanic participants using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. Methods: We enrolled 102 adult churchgoers (60 black and 42 Hispanic) into a single viewing of one of the 2 stroke films - a Gospel musical (English) or Telenovela (Spanish). We measured intent to immediately call 911 using the validated 28-item Stroke Action Test in English and Spanish, along with related variables, before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: An increase in intent to call 911 was seen immediately following the single viewing. Higher self-efficacy for calling 911 was associated with intent to call 911 among Hispanic but not black participants. A composite measure of barriers to calling 911 was not associated with intent to call 911 in either group. A significant association was found between higher stroke symptom knowledge and intent to call 911 at baseline, but not immediately following the intervention. No sex associations were found; however, being older was associated with greater intent to call 911. The majority of participants would strongly recommend the films to others. One participant appropriately called 911 for a real-life stroke event. Conclusions: Narrative communication in the form of tailored short films may improve intent to call 911 for stroke among the black and Hispanic population.

Factors Associated With Waiting Time for Breast Cancer Treatment in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Dedey, F., Wu, L., Ayettey, H., Sanuade, O. A., Akingbola, T. S., Hewlett, S. A., Tayo, B. O., Cole, H. V., De-Graft Aikins, A., Ogedegbe, G., & Adanu, R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Health Education and Behavior

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

420-427

10.1177/1090198115620417

Abstract

Abstract

Background. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Ghana. Data are limited on the predictors of poor outcomes in breast cancer patients in low-income countries; however, prolonged waiting time has been implicated. Among breast cancer patients who received treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, this study evaluated duration and factors that influenced waiting time from first presentation to start of definitive treatment. Method. We conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 205 breast cancer patients starting definitive treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between May and December 2013. We used descriptive statistics to summarize patient characteristics. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests and Spearman rank correlation were performed to examine the patients, health system, and health worker factors associated with median waiting time. Poisson regression was used to examine the determinants of waiting time. Results. The mean age of the patients was 51.1 ± 11.8 years. The median waiting time was 5 weeks. The determinants of waiting time were level of education, age, income, marital status, ethnicity, disease stage, health insurance status, study sites, time interval between when biopsy was requested and when results were received and receipt of adequate information from health workers. Conclusion. A prolonged waiting time to treatment occurs for breast cancer patients in Ghana, particularly for older patients, those with minimal or no education, with lower income, single patients, those with late disease, those who are insured, and who did not receive adequate information from the health workers. Time to obtain biopsy reports should be shortened. Patients and providers need education on timely treatment to improve prognosis.

Hypertension Treatment in Blacks: Discussion of the U.S. Clinical Practice Guidelines

Williams, S. K., Ravenell, J., Seyedali, S., Nayef, S., & Ogedegbe, G. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

282-288

10.1016/j.pcad.2016.09.004

Abstract

Abstract

Blacks are especially susceptible to hypertension (HTN) and its associated organ damage leading to adverse cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal outcomes. Accordingly, HTN is particularly significant in contributing to the black-white racial differences in health outcomes in the US. As such, in order to address these health disparities, practical clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on how to treat HTN, specifically in blacks, are needed. This review article is a timely addition to the literature because the most recent U.S. CPG more explicitly emphasizes race into the algorithmic management of HTN. However, recent clinical research cautions that use of race as a proxy to determine therapeutic response to pharmaceutical agents may be erroneous. This review will address the implications of the use of race in the hypertension CPGs. We will review the rationale behind the introduction of race into the U.S. CPG and the level of evidence that was available to justify this introduction. Finally, we will conclude with practical considerations in the treatment of HTN in blacks.

Is insomnia related to cardiovascular disease incidence in a sample of community-dwelling Ghanaians?

Linkage to care, early infant diagnosis, and perinatal transmission among infants born to HIV-infected nigerian mothers: Evidence from the healthy beginning initiative

Mentoring junior URM scientists to engage in sleep health disparities research: Experience of the NYU PRIDE Institute

MHealth to Train Community Health Nurses in Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid for Cervical Cancer Screening in Ghana

Asgary, R., Adongo, P. B., Nwameme, A., Cole, H. V. S., Maya, E., Liu, M., Yeates, K., Adanu, R., & Ogedegbe, O. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

239-242

10.1097/LGT.0000000000000207

Abstract

Abstract

Objective There is a shortage of trained health care personnel for cervical cancer screening in low-/middle-income countries. We evaluated the feasibility and limited efficacy of a smartphone-based training of community health nurses in visual inspection of the cervix under acetic acid (VIA). Materials and Methods During April to July 2015 in urban Ghana, we designed and developed a study to determine the feasibility and efficacy of an mHealth-supported training of community health nurses (CHNs, n = 15) to perform VIA and to use smartphone images to obtain expert feedback on their diagnoses within 24 hours and to improve VIA skills retention. The CHNs completed a 2-week on-site introductory training in VIA performance and interpretation, followed by an ongoing 3-month text messaging-supported VIA training by an expert VIA reviewer. Results Community health nurses screened 169 women at their respective community health centers while receiving real-time feedback from the reviewer. The total agreement rate between all VIA diagnoses made by all CHNs and the expert reviewer was 95%. The mean (SD) rate of agreement between each CHN and the expert reviewer was 89.6% (12.8%). The agreement rates for positive and negative cases were 61.5% and 98.0%, respectively. Cohen κ statistic was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.45-0.88). Around 7.7% of women tested VIA positive and received cryotherapy or further services. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of mHealth-supported VIA training of CHNs and have the potential to improve cervical cancer screening coverage in Ghana.

Music Upper Limb Therapy—Integrated: An enriched collaborative approach for stroke rehabilitation

Raghavan, P., Geller, D., Guerrero, N., Aluru, V., Eimicke, J. P., Teresi, J. A., Ogedegbe, G., Palumbo, A., & Turry, A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Volume

10.3389/fnhum.2016.00498

Abstract

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It leads to a sudden and overwhelming disruption in one’s physical body, and alters the stroke survivors’ sense of self. Long-term recovery requires that bodily perception, social participation and sense of self are restored; this is challenging to achieve, particularly with a single intervention. However, rhythmic synchronization of movement to external stimuli facilitates sensorimotor coupling for movement recovery, enhances emotional engagement and has positive effects on interpersonal relationships. In this proof-of-concept study, we designed a group music-making intervention, Music Upper Limb Therapy-Integrated (MULT-I), to address the physical, psychological and social domains of rehabilitation simultaneously, and investigated its effects on long-term post-stroke upper limb recovery. The study used a mixed-method pre-post design with 1-year follow up. Thirteen subjects completed the 45-min intervention twice a week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was reduced upper limb motor impairment on the Fugl-Meyer Scale (FMS). Secondary outcomes included sensory impairment (two-point discrimination test), activity limitation (Modified Rankin Scale, MRS), well-being (WHO well-being index), and participation (Stroke Impact Scale, SIS). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences between pre- and post-intervention, and 1-year follow up scores. Significant improvement was found in upper limb motor impairment, sensory impairment, activity limitation and well-being immediately post-intervention that persisted at 1 year. Activities of daily living and social participation improved only from post-intervention to 1-year follow up. The improvement in upper limb motor impairment was more pronounced in a subset of lower functioning individuals as determined by their pre-intervention wrist range of motion. Qualitatively, subjects reported new feelings of ownership of their impaired limb, more spontaneous movement, and enhanced emotional engagement. The results suggest that the MULT-I intervention may help stroke survivors re-create their sense of self by integrating sensorimotor, emotional and interoceptive information and facilitate long-term recovery across multiple domains of disability, even in the chronic stage post-stroke. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy of this approach. Clinical Trial Registration: National Institutes of Health, clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01586221.

Perceived spatial stigma, body mass index and blood pressure: A global positioning system study among low-income housing residents in New York City

Predictors of Changes in Medication Adherence in Blacks with Hypertension: Moving Beyond Cross-Sectional Data

Psychological distress and hypertension: results from the national health interview survey for 2004-2013

Ojike, N., Sowers, J. R., Seixas, A., Ravenell, J., Rodriguez-Figueroa, G., Awadallah, M., Zizi, F., Jean-Louis, G., Ogedegbe, O., & McFarlane, S. I. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

CardioRenal Medicine

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

198-208

10.1159/000443933

Abstract

Abstract

Background/Aims: Psychological conditions are increasingly linked with cardiovascular disorders. We aimed to examine the association between psychological distress and hypertension. Methods: We used data from the National Health Interview Survey for 2004-2013. Hypertension was self-reported and the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was used to assess psychological distress (a score ≥13 indicated distress). We used a logistic regression model to test the assumption that hypertension was associated with psychological distress. Results: Among the study participants completing the survey (n = 288,784), 51% were female; the overall mean age (±SEM) was 35.3 ± 0.02 years and the mean body mass index was 27.5 ± 0.01. In the entire sample, the prevalence of psychological distress was 3.2%. The adjusted odds of reporting hypertension in psychologically distressed individuals was 1.53 (95% CI = 1.31-1.80, p = 0.01). Conclusion: The findings suggest that psychological distress is associated with higher odds of hypertension after adjusting for other risk factors for high blood pressure. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the mechanisms by which stress increases hypertension risk.

Psychosocial correlates and predictors of resistant hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS)”

Shallcross, A. J., Butler, M., Tanner, R. M., Muntner, P., Shimbo, D., Bress, A., Ogedegbe, O., & Spruill, T. M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Psychosomatic Medicine

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

A129 - A129

Psychosocial Correlates of Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study

Spruill, T. M., Shallcross, A. J., Ogedegbe, G., Chaplin, W. F., Butler, M., Palfrey, A., Shimbo, D., Muntner, P., Sims, M., Sarpong, D. F., Agyemang, C., & Ravenell, J. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

American Journal of Hypertension

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

904-912

10.1093/ajh/hpw008

Abstract

Abstract

BACKGROUND: African Americans exhibit a lower degree of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping compared with Whites, but the reasons for reduced BP dipping in this group are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify psychosocial factors associated with BP dipping in a population-based cohort of African Americans. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 668 Jackson Heart Study (JHS) participants with valid 24-hour ambulatory BP data and complete data on psychosocial factors of interest including stress, negative emotions, and psychosocial resources (e.g., perceived support). The association of each psychosocial factor with BP dipping percentage and nondipping status (defined as <10% BP dipping) was assessed using linear and Poisson regression models, respectively, with progressive adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, biomedical, and behavioral factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of nondipping was 64%. Higher depressive symptoms, higher hostility, and lower perceived social support were associated with a lower BP dipping percentage in unadjusted models and after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and mean 24-hour systolic BP (P < 0.05). Only perceived support was associated with BP dipping percentage in fully adjusted models. Also, after full multivariable adjustment, the prevalence ratio for nondipping BP associated with 1 SD (7.1 unit) increase in perceived support was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.88-0.99). No other psychosocial factors were associated with nondipping status. CONCLUSIONS: Lower perceived support was associated with reduced BP dipping in this study. The role of social support as a potentially modifiable determinant of nocturnal BP dipping warrants further investigation.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Heart Failure Readmissions and Mortality in a Large Municipal Healthcare System

Rates and predictors of uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive homeless adults using new york city shelter-based clinics

Reducing Health Inequities in the U.S.: Recommendations From the NHLBI's Health Inequities Think Tank Meeting

Sampson, U. K. A., Kaplan, R. M., Cooper, R. S., Diez Roux, A. V., Marks, J. S., Engelgau, M. M., Peprah, E., Mishoe, H., Boulware, L. E., Felix, K. L., Califf, R. M., Flack, J. M., Cooper, L. A., Gracia, J. N., Henderson, J. A., Davidson, K. W., Krishnan, J. A., Lewis, T. T., Sanchez, E., … Mensah, G. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2016

Journal title

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

517-524

10.1016/j.jacc.2016.04.059

Abstract

Abstract

The National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a Think Tank meeting to obtain insight and recommendations regarding the objectives and design of the next generation of research aimed at reducing health inequities in the United States. The panel recommended several specific actions, including: 1) embrace broad and inclusive research themes; 2) develop research platforms that optimize the ability to conduct informative and innovative research, and promote systems science approaches; 3) develop networks of collaborators and stakeholders, and launch transformative studies that can serve as benchmarks; 4) optimize the use of new data sources, platforms, and natural experiments; and 5) develop unique transdisciplinary training programs to build research capacity. Confronting health inequities will require engaging multiple disciplines and sectors (including communities), using systems science, and intervening through combinations of individual, family, provider, health system, and community-targeted approaches. Details of the panel's remarks and recommendations are provided in this report.

Olugbenga Ogedegbe