Ralph DiClemente

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Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Ralph DiClemente was trained as a Health Psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco where he received his PhD in 1984 after completing a ScM at the Harvard School of Public Health. He earned his undergraduate degree at the City University of New York.

Dr. DiClemente’s research has four key foci:

Developing interventions to reduce the risk of HIV/STD among vulnerable populations
Developing interventions to enhance vaccine uptake among high-risk adolescents and women, such as HPV and influenza vaccine
Developing implementation science interventions to enhance the uptake, adoption and sustainability of HIV/STD prevention programs in the community
Developing diabetes screening and behavior change interventions to identify people with diabetes who are unaware of their disease status as well as reduce the risk of diabetes among vulnerable populations.

He has focused on developing intervention packages that blend community and technology-based approaches that are designed to optimize program effectiveness and enhance programmatic sustainability.

Dr. DiClemente is the author of ten CDC-defined, evidence-based interventions for adolescents and young African-American women and men. He is the author of more than 540 peer-review publications, 150 book chapters, and 21 books. He serves as a member of the Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council.

Previously, Dr. DiClemente served as the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Public Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He was also Associate Director of the Center for AIDS Research, and was previously Chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at the Rollins School of Public Health.

Dr. DiClemente is Past President of the Georgia chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine. He previously served as a member of the CDC Board of Scientific Counselors, and the NIMH Advisory Council.

Education

BA, The City College of the City University of New York (CCNY), New York, NY

ScM, Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

PhD, Health Psychology, University of California San Francisco Center for Behavioral Sciences, San Francisco, CA

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco, CA

Areas of research and study

Community Interventions

Diabetes

HIV/AIDS

Implementation science

Influenza

Psychology

Publications

Prevalence and correlates of cutting behavior: Risk for HIV transmission

DiClemente, R. J., Ponton, L. E., & Hartley, D. (n.d.).

Publication year

1991

Journal title

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

735-739

10.1016/S0890-8567(10)80007-3

Abstract

Abstract

The prevalence of cutting behavior among a population of 76 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents was found to be 61.2%. The frequency ranged from a single occasion to over 50 instances, with a mean of 9.9 occasions. Increased self-mutilation was not found to be associated with gender, age, ethnicity, or primary psychiatric diagnosis. A significant association was identified between adolescents who report forced sex and those who report cutting behavior. Approximately 26.7% of those reporting this behavior also report sharing cutting implements with other adolescents. This article raises concern about this behavior as it relates to the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and makes recommendations for clinicians treating this population.

College students' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS and changes in HIV-preventive behaviors

DiClemente, R. J., Forrest, K. A., & Mickler, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

1990

Journal title

AIDS Education and Prevention

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

201-212

Abstract

Abstract

Data were collected from 1,127 students at geographically diverse universities and colleges in the United States to assess students' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS and self-reported changes in HIV-preventive behaviors. The findings indicate that while students demonstrate a high level of knowledge with respect to AIDS transmission they are also likely to possess many misconceptions about casual contact as a route of HIV transmission. HIV-related sexual risk-taking behavior was also substantial. A large proportion of students report never using condoms during sexual intercourse and having had multiple sexual partners during the year preceding the survey. A significant proportion of students report increasing health-protective behavior, although identification of the magnitude of these changes was not attained. Knowledge of AIDS transmission was not related to behavior change, although perceived risk of HIV infection was strongly associated with a self-reported increase in health-protective behaviors. The findings suggest that college students, while knowledgeable about AIDS and reporting marked behavioral changes, possess many misconceptions about casual contact and have a high prevalence of sexual risk-taking behaviors. The development of HIV prevention education programs for the college population is discussed.

The Emergence of Adolescents as a Risk Group for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Diclemente, R. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1990

Journal title

Journal of Adolescent Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

7-17

10.1177/074355489051003

Abstract

Abstract

Adolesceents have only recently been identified as a risk group for human immunodeficiencv, virus inifectioni. Limited data suggest that the prevalence of HIV infection among selected adolescent populatiotns is considerable. These data, however, are not generalizable because of the unrepresentative nature of the adolescent populations studied. Surrogate epidemiologic markers for projecting the potential spread of HIV in the adolescent populationi are idenitified. These markers include the prevalence of contraceptive behavior, rate of untinttetided pregnancy, and the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescetits kniowledge, attitudes, atid clanges in AIDS-preventive behavior are described. Psychosocial factors that may influence the adoption and maintenance of AIDS-prev entitie behav iors are identified and discussed. To increase the potentialfor developing the most effective HIV prevention programs, there is a need for greater understanding of the psxychosocial determinants motivating behavior change among adolescents.

Evaluation of School-based AIDS Education Curricula in San Francisco

Diclemente, R. J., Pies, C. A., Stoller, E. J., Straits, C., Olivia, G. E., Rutherford, G. W., & Haskin, J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1989

Journal title

The Journal of Sex Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

188-198

10.1080/00224498909551505

Abstract

Abstract

Students in 3 middle (n=385) and 3 high schools (n=254) in the San Francisco Unified School District participated in the evaluation of an AIDS education curriculum. Classes within-schools were designated as eitherintervention classes or nonintervention classes. Students in intervention classes received 3 class periods of AIDS instruction with a newly developed curriculum. Students in nonintervention classes did not receive any special AIDS instruction. All students completed a pretest and posttest AIDS knowledge and attitude survey. The results indicated that AIDS instruction classes demonstrated a significant knowl-edge-advantage, as well as change in attitudes {e.g., reflecting greater tolerance for attending class with students who may have AIDS or HIV infection).

Health promotion strategies for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection among minority adolescents

DiClemente, R. J., & Houston-Hamilton, A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1989

Journal title

Health Education

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

39-43

10.1080/00970050.1989.10622387

Prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection among adolescents: the interplay of health education and public policy in the development and implementation of school-based AIDS education programs.

DiClemente, R. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1989

Journal title

AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

70-78

Minorities and AIDS: Knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions among Black and Latino adolescents

DiClemente, R. J., Boyer, C. B., & Morales, E. S. (n.d.).

Publication year

1988

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

55-57

10.2105/AJPH.78.1.55

Abstract

Abstract

White adolescents in San Francisco high schools were more knowledgeable than Black adolescents about the cause, transmission, and prevention of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), and Black adolescents were more knowledgeable than their Latino peers. Black and Latino adolescents were approximately twice as likely as White adolescents to have misconceptions about the casual transmission of AIDS. Less knowledge about AIDS and prevalent misconceptions were associated with greater levels of perceived risk of contracting AIDS.

Preface

Diclemente, R. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1988

Journal title

Health Education Research

Volume

Issue

10.1093/her/3.1.1

Prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: International perspectives

Diclemente, R. J., Boyer, C. B., Mills, S. J., & Helquist, M. (n.d.).

Publication year

1988

Journal title

Health Education Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

3-5

10.1093/her/3.1.3

Prevention of AIDS among adolescents: Strategies for the development of comprehensive risk-reduction health education programs

Diclemente, R. J., Boyer, C. B., & Mills, S. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1987

Journal title

Health Education Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

287-291

10.1093/her/2.3.287

Adolescents and AIDS: A survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS in San Francisco

DiClemente, R. J., Zorn, J., & Temoshok, L. (n.d.).

Publication year

1986

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

1443-1445

10.2105/AJPH.76.12.1443

Abstract

Abstract

To assess adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about AIDS in San Francisco, data were obtained from 1,326 adolescents. There was marked variability in knowledge across informational items, particularly about the precautionary measures to be taken during sexual intercourse which may reduce the risk of infection. We conclude that development and implementation of school health education programs on AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are needed in this population.

The relationship of psychosocial factors to prognostic indicators in cutaneous malignant melanoma

Temoshok, L., Heller, B. W., Sagebiel, R. W., Blois, M. S., Sweet, D. M., DiClemente, R. J., & Gold, M. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

1985

Journal title

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

139-153

10.1016/0022-3999(85)90035-2

Abstract

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between prognosis (estimated by histopathologic indicators) in cutaneous malignant melanoma and a comprehensive set of physical risk, demographic, psychosocial, and situational variables. These variables were derived from the medical examination, the pathology report, psychosocial self-report measures, and an hour-long videotaped interview with 59 patients from two melanoma clinics in San Francisco. Variables significantly correlated with tumor thickness were: darker skin/hair/eye coloring, longer patient delay in seeking medical attention, two correlated dimensions within an operationally defined 'Type C' constellation of characteristics, two character style measures, and less previous knowledge of melanoma and understanding of its treatment. Of these variables, delay was the most significant in a hierarchical multiple regression analysis in which tumor thickness was the dependent variable. Associations between tumor thickness and psychosocial measures of Type C were considerably stronger and more significant for subjects less than age 55, suggesting that the role of behavioral and psychosocial factors in the course of malignant melanoma is more potent for younger than for older subjects.

Factors related to patient delay in seeking medical attention for cutaneous malignant melanoma

Temoshok, L., Diclemente, R. J., Sweet, D. M., Blois, M. S., & Sagebiel, R. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

1984

Journal title

Cancer

Volume

Issue

Page(s)

3048-3053

10.1002/1097-0142(19841215)54:12<3048::AID-CNCR2820541239>3.0.CO;2-M

Abstract

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between patient delay in seeking medical attention and prognostic indicators, tumor characteristics, and demographic and behavioral factors in 106 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma. Patients with less readily apparent lesions, particularly on the back, had longer delays in seeking treatment, as might be expected. The prognostically unfavorable nodular melanomas were detected more frequently by patients themselves than they were found during visits to physicians for unrelated problems. In terms of behavioral variables, patients with less knowledge of melanoma or its appropriate treatment had significantly longer delays. Patients who minimized the seriousness of their condition were more likely to seek treatment sooner, perhaps because this reduced fear and anxiety about the disease or its treatment. For superficial spreading melanoma, delay was significantly and positively correlated with Clark's level of invasion, and also with tumor thickness when only noncoincidentally diagnosed patients were included; whereas for the nodular type, delay was significantly and positively associated with tuomr thickness, whether the patient was coincidentally diagnosed or not. The significance of these findings for early detection, and hence improved prognosis of malignant melanoma, is discussed.

Prognostic and psychosocial factors related to delay behavior in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Temoshok, L., DiClemente, R. J., Sweet, D. M., Blois, M. S., & Sagebiel, R. W. (n.d.).

Publication year

1984

Journal title

Progress in clinical and biological research

Volume

156

Page(s)

169-179

Enhancing the value of patient delay studies for cancer control: methodological and statistical considerations.

DiClemente, R. J., & Temoshok, L. (n.d.).

Publication year

1983

Journal title

Progress in clinical and biological research

Volume

120

Page(s)

129-137

Patient delay in the diagnosis of cancer, emphasizing malignant melanoma of the skin.

DiClemente, R. J., Temoshok, L., Pickle, L. W., Barro, A. R., & Ehlke, G. (n.d.).

Publication year

1982

Journal title

Progress in clinical and biological research

Volume

Page(s)

185-194

Ralph DiClemente