Dr. Gyamfi is a Research Scientist at New York University (NYU) School of Global Public Health, and a founding member of the Implementing Sustainable Evidence-based interventions through Engagement (ISEE) Lab and leads the Section for Sickle Cell Disease. Her research focus include implementation science, specifically scalability of evidence-based interventions to control non-communicable disease - understanding the patient - provider – systems- community level barriers and facilitators, and context impeding evidence-based intervention scale-up in resource-constrained settings. As a social epidemiologist and a health disparities researcher, she is committed to finding innovative and sustainable evidence-based strategies to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States and among individuals, families and communities in developing countries to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Gyamfi has extensive experience implementing evidence-based intervention programs both domestic and international. A member of the Task Shifting Strategy for Hypertension (TASSH) program team in Ghana, West Africa funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (PI: Ogedegbe, NYULH), she has spent over 10 years training community health nurses in Ghana, West Africa, to screen, diagnose, and manage uncomplicated cases of hypertension as part of two large scale randomized controlled trial and an implementation trial. Currently, she is a Co-Investigator on a supplement to assess the scalability of the Practice support And Community Engagement (PACE) intervention for hypertension management among hypertensive Black patients attending NYULH primary care practices (‘Actions to Decrease Disparities in Risk and Engage in Shared Support for BP Control (ADDRESS-BP)’- an NHLBI funded grant). For the ISEE lab, she is leading evidence synthesis of implementation strategies and implementation outcomes to inform the development of best practices for sickle cell disease management in LMICs for the Section on implementing Evidence-based interventions for Sickle Cell Disease (ISCD).
About
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Education
BA Sociology/Pre-Med, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
MS Epidemiology / Community Health, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
EdD Health Education and Health Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY-
Honors and Awards
Honoree, Graduate Alumni Leader in Public Health, Columbia University (2022)
Outstanding Doctoral Student for Exceptional Contributions to Health Education, Teachers College, Columbia University (2019)
Distinguished employee for global health work in Ghana, NYU Langone Health (2017)-
Areas of Research and Study
Implementation science
Scalability of evidence-based interventions
Context tailored health education
Multi-level stakeholder engagement
Hypertension
Sickle cell disease-
Publications
Gyamfi J, Cooper C, Barber A, Onakomaiya D, Lee WY, Zanowiak J, Mansu M, Diaz L, Thompson L, Abrams R, Schoenthaler A, Islam N, Ogedegbe G. Needs assessment and planning for a clinic-community-based implementation program for hypertension control among blacks in New York City: a protocol paper. Implement Sci Commun. 2022 Sep 6;3(1):96.
Nwaozuru U, Shato T, Obiezu-Umeh C, Uzoaru F, Mason S, Gyamfi J, Iwelunmor J. HIV testing and ethnicity among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years in Ghana: what really matters?. J Biosoc Sci. 2022 Sep;54(5):812-828.
Gyamfi J, Vieira D, Iwelunmor J, Watkins BX, Williams O, Peprah E, Ogedegbe G, Allegrante JP. Assessing descriptions of scalability for hypertension control interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0272071.
Iwelunmor J, Ezechi O, Obiezu-Umeh C, Oladele D, Nwaozuru U, Aifah A, Gyamfi J, Gbajabiamila T, Musa AZ, Onakomaiya D, Rakhra A, Jiyuan H, Odubela O, Idigbe I, Engelhart A, Tayo BO, Ogedegbe G. Factors influencing the integration of evidence-based task-strengthening strategies for hypertension control within HIV clinics in Nigeria. Implement Sci Commun. 2022 Apr 15;3(1):43.
Ryan N, Vieira D, Gyamfi J, Ojo T, Shelley D, Ogedegbe O, Iwelunmor J, Peprah E. Development of the ASSESS tool: a comprehenSive tool to Support rEporting and critical appraiSal of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods implementation reSearch outcomes. Implement Sci Commun. 2022 Mar 28;3(1):34.
Okocha EC, Gyamfi J, Ryan N, Babalola O, Etuk EA, Chianumba R, Nwegbu M, Isa H, Madu AJ, Adegoke S, Nnebe-Agumandu U, Brown B, Peprah E, Nnodu OE. Barriers to Therapeutic Use of Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Front Genet. 2021;12:765958.
Peprah E, Myers B, Kengne AP, Peer N, El-Shahawy O, Ojo T, Mukasa B, Ezechi O, Iwelunmor J, Ryan N, Sakho F, Patena J, Gyamfi J. Using a Syndemics Framework to Understand How Substance Use Contributes to Morbidity and Mortality among People Living with HIV in Africa: A Call to Action. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 19;19(3).
Ojo T, Ruan C, Hameed T, Malburg C, Thunga S, Smith J, Vieira D, Snyder A, Tampubolon SJ, Gyamfi J, Ryan N, Lim S, Santacatterina M, Peprah E. HIV, Tuberculosis, and Food Insecurity in Africa-A Syndemics-Based Scoping Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 19;19(3).
Brown BJ, Madu A, Sangeda RZ, Nkya S, Peprah E, Paintsil V, Mmbando BP, Gyamfi J, Okocha CE, Asala SA, Nembaware V, Jonas M, Kengne AP, Chimusa ER, Nguweneza A, Isa HA, Nnebe-Agumadu U, Adekile AD, Osei-Akoto A, Ohene-Frempong K, Balandya E, Nnodu OE, Wonkam A, Makani J. Utilization of Pneumococcal Vaccine and Penicillin Prophylaxis in Sickle Cell Disease in Three African Countries: Assessment among Healthcare Providers in SickleInAfrica. Hemoglobin. 2021 May;45(3):163-170.
Peprah E, Armstrong-Hough M, Cook SH, Mukasa B, Taylor JY, Xu H, Chang L, Gyamfi J, Ryan N, Ojo T, Snyder A, Iwelunmor J, Ezechi O, Iyegbe C, O'Reilly P, Pascal Kengne A. An Emerging Syndemic of Smoking and Cardiopulmonary Diseases in People Living with HIV in Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021 Mar 18;18(6).
Ojo T, Kabasele L, Boyd B, Enechukwu S, Ryan N, Gyamfi J, Peprah E. The Role of Implementation Science in Advancing Resource Generation for Health Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Health Serv Insights. 2021;14:1178632921999652.
Gyamfi J, Ojo T, Iwelunmor J, Ogedegbe G, Ryan N, Diawara A, Nnodu O, Wonkam A, Royal C, Peprah E. Implementation science research for the scale-up of evidence-based interventions for sickle cell disease in africa: a commentary. Global Health. 2021 Feb 17;17(1):20.
Gyamfi J, Ojo T, Epou S, Diawara A, Dike L, Adenikinju D, Enechukwu S, Vieira D, Nnodu O, Ogedegbe G, Peprah E. Evidence-based interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries for sickle cell disease management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One.2021;16(2):e0246700.
Ryan N, Dike L, Ojo T, Vieira D, Nnodu O, Gyamfi J, Peprah E. Implementation of the therapeutic use of hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease management in resource-constrained settings: a systematic review of adoption, cost and acceptability.
Asante KP, Iwelunmor J, Apusiga K, Gyamfi J, Nyame S, Adjei KGA, Aifah A, Adjei K, Onakomaiya D, Chaplin WF, Ogedegbe G, Plange-Rhule J. Uptake of Task-Strengthening Strategy for Hypertension (TASSH) control within Community-Based Health Planning Services in Ghana: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2020 Oct 2;21(1):825.
Gyamfi J, Allegrante JP, Iwelunmor J, Williams O, Plange-Rhule J, Blackstone S, Ntim M, Apusiga K, Peprah E, Ogedegbe G. Application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to examine nurses' perception of the task shifting strategy for hypertension control trial in Ghana.BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Jan 29;20(1):65.
Limbani F, Goudge J, Joshi R, Maar MA, Miranda JJ, Oldenburg B, Parker G, Pesantes MA, Riddell MA, Salam A, Trieu K, Thrift AG, Van Olmen J, Vedanthan R, Webster R, Yeates K, Webster J. Process evaluation in the field: global learnings from seven implementation research hypertension projects in low-and middle-income countries. BMC Public Health. 2019 Jul 16;19(1):953.
Iwelunmor J, Ezechi O, Obiezu-Umeh C, Gbajabiamila T, Musa AZ, Oladele D, Idigbe I, Ohihoin A, Gyamfi J, Aifah A, Salako B, Ogedegbe O. Capabilities, opportunities and motivations for integrating evidence-based strategy for hypertension control into HIV clinics in Southwest Nigeria. PLoS One.2019;14(6):e0217703.
Nyame S, Iwelunmor J, Ogedegbe G, Adjei KGA, Adjei K, Apusiga K, Gyamfi J, Asante KP, Plange-Rhule J. Capacity and Readiness for Implementing Evidence-Based Task-Strengthening Strategies for Hypertension Control in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Glob Heart. 2019 Jun;14(2):129-134.
Iwelunmor J, Onakomaiya D, Gyamfi J, Nyame S, Apusiga K, Adjei K, Mantey K, Plange-Rhule J, Asante KP, Ogedegbe G. Adopting Task-Shifting Strategies for Hypertension Control in Ghana: Insights From a Realist Synthesis of Stakeholder Perceptions. Glob Heart. 2019 Jun;14(2):119-127.
Onakomaiya D, Gyamfi J, Iwelunmor J, Opeyemi J, Oluwasanmi M, Obiezu-Umeh C, Dalton M, Nwaozuru U, Ojo T, Vieira D, Ogedegbe G, Olopade C.Implementation of clean cookstove interventions and its effects on blood pressure in low-income and middle-income countries: systematic review. BMJ Open. 2019 May 14;9(5):e026517.
Blackstone S, Iwelunmor J, Plange-Rhule J, Gyamfi J, Quakyi NK, Ntim M, Addison A, Ogedegbe G. 'I believe high blood pressure can kill me:' using the PEN-3 Cultural Model to understand patients' perceptions of an intervention to control hypertension in Ghana. Ethn Health. 2019 Apr;24(3):257-270.
Ojo T, Lester L, Iwelunmor J, Gyamfi J, Obiezu-Umeh C, Onakomaiya D, Aifah A, Nagendra S, Opeyemi J, Oluwasanmi M, Dalton M, Nwaozuru U, Vieira D, Ogedegbe G, Boden-Albala B. Feasibility of integrated, multilevel care for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): A scoping review. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0212296.
Joshi R, Thrift AG, Smith C, Praveen D, Vedanthan R, Gyamfi J, Schwalm JD, Limbani F, Rubinstein A, Parker G, Ogedegbe O, Plange-Rhule J, Riddell MA, Thankappan KR, Thorogood M, Goudge J, Yeates KE. Task-shifting for cardiovascular risk factor management: lessons from the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases. BMJ Glob Health. 2018;3(Suppl 3):e001092.
Ogedegbe G, Plange-Rhule J, Gyamfi J, Chaplin W, Ntim M, Apusiga K, Iwelunmor J, Awudzi KY, Quakyi KN, Mogaverro J, Khurshid K, Tayo B, Cooper R.Health insurance coverage with or without a nurse-led task shifting strategy for hypertension control: A pragmatic cluster randomized trial in Ghana.PLoS Med. 2018 May;15(5):e1002561
Gyamfi J, Butler M, Williams SK, Agyemang C, Gyamfi L, Seixas A, Zinsou GM, Bangalore S, Shah NR, Ogedegbe G. Blood pressure control and mortality in US- and foreign-born blacks in New York City. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2017 Oct;19(10):956-964.
Blackstone S, Iwelunmor J, Plange-Rhule J, Gyamfi J, Quakyi NK, Ntim M, Ogedegbe G. Sustaining Nurse-Led Task-Shifting Strategies for Hypertension Control: A Concept Mapping Study to Inform Evidence-Based Practice. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2017 Oct;14(5):350-357.
Gyamfi J, Plange-Rhule J, Iwelunmor J, Lee D, Blackstone SR, Mitchell A, Ntim M, Apusiga K, Tayo B, Yeboah-Awudzi K, Cooper R, Ogedegbe G. Erratum to: Training nurses in task-shifting strategies for the management and control of hypertension in Ghana: a mixed-methods study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Mar 17;17(1):216.
Riddell MA, Edwards N, Thompson SR, Bernabe-Ortiz A, Praveen D, Johnson C, Kengne AP, Liu P, McCready T, Ng E, Nieuwlaat R, Ovbiagele B, Owolabi M, Peiris D, Thrift AG, Tobe S, Yusoff K. Developing consensus measures for global programs: lessons from the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases Hypertension research program. Global Health. 2017 Mar 15;13(1):17.
Iwelunmor J, Gyamfi J, Plange-Rhule J, Blackstone S, Quakyi NK, Ntim M, Zizi F, Yeboah-Awudzi K, Nang-Belfubah A, Ogedegbe G. Exploring stakeholders' perceptions of a task-shifting strategy for hypertension control in Ghana: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2017 Feb 21;17(1):216.
Gyamfi J, Plange-Rhule J, Iwelunmor J, Lee D, Blackstone SR, Mitchell A, Ntim M, Apusiga K, Tayo B, Yeboah-Awudzi K, Cooper R, Ogedegbe G. Training nurses in task-shifting strategies for the management and control of hypertension in Ghana: a mixed-methods study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Feb 2;17(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2026-5.
Vedanthan R, Bernabe-Ortiz A, Herasme OI, Joshi R, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Thrift AG, Webster J, Webster R, Yeates K, Gyamfi J, Ieremia M, Johnson C, Kamano JH, Lazo-Porras M, Limbani F, Liu P, McCready T, Miranda JJ, Mohan S, Ogedegbe O, Oldenburg B, Ovbiagele B, Owolabi M, Peiris D, Ponce-Lucero V, Praveen D, Pillay A, Schwalm JD, Tobe SW, Trieu K, Yusoff K, Fuster V. Innovative Approaches to Hypertension Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Cardiol Clin. 2017 Feb;35(1):99-115.
W Tobe S. The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases Supports 15 Major Studies in Hypertension Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2016 Jul;18(7):600-5.
Peiris D, Thompson SR, Beratarrechea A, Cárdenas MK, Diez-Canseco F, Goudge J, Gyamfi J, Kamano JH, Irazola V, Johnson C, Kengne AP, Keat NK, Miranda JJ, Mohan S, Mukasa B, Ng E, Nieuwlaat R, Ogedegbe O, Ovbiagele B, Plange-Rhule J, Praveen D, Salam A, Thorogood M, Thrift AG, Vedanthan R, Waddy SP, Webster J, Webster R, Yeates K, Yusoff K. Behaviour change strategies for reducing blood pressure-related disease burden: findings from a global implementation research programme. Implement Sci. 2015 Nov 9;10:158.
Bangalore S, Ogedegbe G, Gyamfi J, Guo Y, Roy J, Goldfeld K, Torgersen C, Capponi L, Phillips C, Shah NR. Outcomes with Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors vs Other Antihypertensive Agents in Hypertensive Blacks. Am J Med. 2015 Nov;128(11):1195-203. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.04.034. Epub 2015 Jun 11.
Iwelunmor J, Blackstone S, Gyamfi J, Airhihenbuwa C, Plange-Rhule J, Tayo B, Adanu R, Ogedegbe G. A Concept Mapping Study of Physicians' Perceptions of Factors Influencing Management and Control of Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Hypertens. 2015;2015:412804.
Ogedegbe G, Shah NR, Phillips C, Goldfeld K, Roy J, Guo Y, Gyamfi J, Torgersen C, Capponi L, Bangalore S. Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Based Treatment on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Hypertensive Blacks Versus Whites. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Sep 15;66(11):1224-1233.
Ogedegbe G, Gyamfi J, Plange-Rhule J, Surkis A, Rosenthal DM, Airhihenbuwa C, Iwelunmor J, Cooper R. Task shifting interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2014 Oct 16;4(10):e005983.
Ogedegbe G, Plange-Rhule J, Gyamfi J, Chaplin W, Ntim M, Apusiga K, Khurshid K, Cooper R. A cluster-randomized trial of task shifting and blood pressure control in Ghana: study protocol. Implement Sci. 2014 Jun 12;9:73. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-9-73.
Elbel B, Gyamfi J, Kersh R. Child and adolescent fast-food choice and the influence of calorie labeling: a natural experiment. Int J Obes (Lond). 2011 Apr;35(4):493-500. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2011.4. Epub 2011 Feb 15.
Baker SS, Borowitz D, Duffy L, Fitzpatrick L, Gyamfi J, Baker RD. Pancreatic enzyme therapy and clinical outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr. 2005 Feb;146(2):189-93.
Borowitz D, Baker SS, Duffy L, Baker RD, Fitzpatrick L, Gyamfi J, Jarembek K. Use of fecal elastase-1 to classify pancreatic status in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr. 2004 Sep;145(3):322-6.
Tung Y, Duffy LC, Gyamfi JO, Wojtaszczyk F, Dozier A, Tempfer T, Clark A, Putnam T, Bonafede R. Improvements in immunization compliance using a computerized tracking system for inner city clinics. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2003 Sep;42(7):603-11