Department of Medicine

Division of Preventive & Behavioral Medicine

Research

The Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine faculty conduct a diverse array of research ranging from small clinical and community studies to multi-center collaborative trials.

Our work includes: investigating the etiology of disease; developing strategies to modify behaviors for the promotion of health and prevention of disease and adaptation to disease and disability; training of physicians and other healthcare providers in the use of effective interventions for health behavior change; understanding mind/body interactions in disease and self-healing; investigating optimal organizational strategies to improve delivery of healthcare services; conducting methodological studies; and integrating research findings into health policy.

Currently Funded Research

The Division has several large projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)This link goes to an external web site, and other sources. Current research activities of the Division fall into one or more of the following categories:

Epidemiology/Observational Studies 

  • CORRONA: Analysis of Rheumaoid Arthritis Registry Data
  • Dietary and Serum Phytoestrogens and Women’s Health Conditions in Mid-Life
  • Does Hormone Therapy Influence Reproductive Aging?  Analysis of Four Cohorts
  • Field Centers for the WHI Full Cohort Extension Study
  • Neighborhood Risk Factors for Falls in the Elderly
  • Obesity and Neighborhood Characteristics
  • Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  • SWAN Repository
  • WHI – Memory – MRI Study
  • WHI Cancer Survivor Cohort
  • WHI Memory Study
  • WHI Nutrition and Physical Assessment Study
  • Women’s Health Initiative Study of Cognitive Aging

Randomized Control Trials

  • Active Living and Health Diet at the Worksite:  An Environmental and Educational Approach
  • Asthma and Mindulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
  • Investigation of a Behavioral Substitute for Sun Exposure
  • School Nurse-Delivered Intervention for Overweight and At Risk Adolescents
  • School Nurse-Delivered Smoking Cessation Intervention
  • Soy Isoflavones for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms
  • Treating Co-Morbid Obesity and Major Depressive Disorder
  • Yoga for Hyperkyphosis Trial
  • Support for Post-Partum Weight Loss Among Women Enrolled in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program
  • Diabetes Management for Low-Income Hispanic Patients
  • Perioperative Intervention to Improve Post-TKR Support and Function
  • The Lawrence Latino Diabetes Prevention Project
  • Immune Function in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Asthma
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Hot Flashes
  • Mindfulness Meditation in Bone Marrow Transportation

Additional Research Activities 

In addition to grants currently funded, faculty members are involved in other research activities that include collaborations with investigators in the institution, and feasibility and pilot studies.