RESEARCH PROJECTS
-CORE Worcester County Prevention Research Center Project
Patient Navigation to Reach Disengaged Patients with Diabetes and Hypertension at a Community Health Center
Focus of Study: Diabetes and hypertension
Funder: CDC PRC Program
Project Dates: 9/30/09 – 9/29/14
Principal Investigator: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Central Massachusetts Area Health Education Center, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Project Description: The core WC-PRC project evaluates the effectiveness of a patient navigator outreach model designed to engage low-income Latino diabetics who do not seek regular care.
-CDC-Funded Special Interest Project
Physical Activity Policy Research Network (PAPRN)
Focus of Study: Physical activity policy
Funder: CDC Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
Project Dates: 9/30/09 – 9/29/14
Principal Investigator: Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: PAPRN is a thematic research network that consists of one coordinating/member, PRC member centers, CDC technical advisors, and affiliate university members
Project Description: The mission of PAPRN is to identify policies that affect population physical activity, and the determinants of those policies. PAPRN will also describe the process of implementing and the outcome of physical activity policies.
-CDC-Funded Special Interest Project
Examination of Environmental Characteristics that Enable and/or Promote Frequent Indoor Tanning Among Young Adults to Inform Future Public Health Policy Efforts to Prevent Skin Cancer
Focus of Study: Tanning
Funder: CDC
Project Dates: 9/30/12-9/29/14
Principal Investigators: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D, Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D. (Co-I)
Partner Organization: East Tennessee State University
Project Description: This study uses social networking tools to map unsupervised indoor tanning locations and analyze user characteristics.
WORCESTER COUNTY PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER FUNDED PILOT PROJECTS
- Be the Change for Health
Focus of Study: Overweight, obesity, nutrition, physical activity
Funder: Worcester County Prevention Research Center
Project Dates: 1/1/12-12/31/12
Principal Investigator: Liz Davis, MPH, Lori Pbert, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Roosevelt Elementary School
Project Description: This project is testing the feasibility of an innovative program delivered in a School-Based Health Center that is designed to provide children with skills and tools to serve as change agents within the family for improved nutrition and physical activity.
OTHER CURRENT PROJECTS
-Barriers and Facilitators of Mental Health Services Utilization among Latinos
Focus of Study: Mental Health
Funder: NIH/NIMH
Project Dates: 5/1/11-2/28/15
Principal Investigator: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D. and Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Lawrence Senior Center, Greater Lawrence YWCA
Project Description: This study will use an ecological framework to examine the impacts of culturally specific sources of stress and resources on mental health services utilization among Latinos in Lawrence, MA.
-Randomized Trial of a Post-Partum Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Women
Focus of Study: Diabetes prevention
Funder: NIH/NIDDK
Project Dates: 9/4/12-6/30/17
Principal Investigator: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D. (Site PI)
Partner Organizations: Baystate Medical Center (Springfield); UMass Memorial Medical Center (Worcester)
Project Description: The overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically modified, individually-tailored lifestyle intervention to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among postpartum Hispanic women with a history of abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy.
-Narrative Video to Enhance Research Literacy Among Disadvantaged Populations
Focus of Study: Participant engagement
Funder: NIH/NIMHD
Project Dates: 6/14/12-1/31/17
Principal Investigator: Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D. (Core PI)
Partner Organization: UMass Boston
Project Description: This study, under the UMass Center for Health Equity Intervention Research (CHEIR) will create videos to increase understanding of the risks and benefits of research. Videos will be created from recorded interviews with members of minority groups who have taken part in research studies, discussing their experiences.
-The FRESH Start Trial: A Weight Loss Intervention for Low-Income Postpartum Women
Focus of Study: Weight loss
Funder: NIH/NIMHD
Project Dates: 6/14/12-1/31/17
Principal Investigators: Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D. and Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Worcester, MA
Project Description: This study, under the UMass Center for Health Equity Intervention Research (CHEIR) Community Engagement Core, collaborates with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to create opportunities for weight loss among participants in Worcester, MA.
-Pregnancy and Postpartum Observational Dietary Study (PPODS)
Focus of Study: Nutrition, obesity, and overweight
Funder: UMass CCTS
Project Dates: 4/1/2011–3/31/2013
Principal Investigator: Milagros Rosal, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: UMass Memorial Health Care
Project Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether associations among consumption of saturated fat, fat deposition and weight loss observed in mice can be observed in human subjects during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
-Cultural Translation of a Mind/Body Wellness Program for Diabetes Prevention in China
Focus of Study: Diabetes prevention
Funder: Office of Global Health/UMMS CTSA
Project Dates: 6/1/11-5/31/13
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: Tongji University
Project Description: The study will culturally translate and pilot test a comprehensive lifestyle program, the Mind/Body Wellness Program, for adults with pre-diabetes in Shanghai, China.
-School Nurse Intervention & After School Exercise Program for Overweight Teens
Focus of Study: Obesity
Funder: NIH/NHLBI
Project Dates: 8/18/11 – 7/31/13
Principal Investigator: Lori Pbert, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Children’s Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School, MA Department of Public Health/School Health Unit, eight high schools in Massachusetts
Project Description: This exploratory study tests the feasibility and ability of a school-based intervention, consisting of school nurse counseling and a school-based exercise program, to reduce BMI and improve dietary quality, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in overweight and obese adolescents. If effective, this could prove to be a cost-effective and relatively easy intervention to disseminate widely for significant public health impact.
- School Worksite Weight Gain Prevention Intervention Study
Focus of Study: Obesity
Funder: NIH/NCI
Project Dates: 7/1/09 - 6/30/13
Principal Investigators: Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D. and Lori Pbert, Ph.D. (MPI)
Partner Organizations: Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts School Nurses Research Network, 12 Central Massachusetts public high schools
Project Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an ecological intervention at preventing weight gain in the school worksite setting.
-Center for mHealth—Based Sensing and Behavioral Interventions
Focus of Study: Eating behavior interventions
Funder: UMass Science and Technology Fund
Project Dates: 6/1/12-5/31/14
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: UMass Amherst
Project Description: This center grant is to provide the resources for investigators to create an intercampus mHealth research center at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Pagoto is the PI of the UMass Medical School campus.
-Medium Self-Care Management: Patient-Centered Diabetic Wound Care Using Smart Phones
Focus of Study: Wound care for patients with diabetes
Funder: National Science Foundation
Project Dates: 9/1/11-8/31/15
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D. (Co-I)
Partner Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Project Description: The project addresses specific health challenges of patients with diabetic foot ulcers and focuses on two key challenges: automatically analyzing wound healing progress of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, and using technology to motivate these patients to better care for their wounds and their diabetes.
-A Community-Clinic Partnership to Address Comorbid Obesity and Depression
Focus of Study: Weight loss
Funder: Community Engagement and Research Section/UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Project Dates: 6/15/12-3/31/13
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: All Access Physical Therapy and Fitness Academy
Project Description: This study proposes a model in which a partnership between a clinic and a community physical fitness facility serves the needs of patients who suffer from obesity and depression.
- Case Management for Underserved Hispanic Type 2 Diabetes Population
Focus of Study: Diabetes
Funder: NIH/NIDDK
Project Dates: 7/01/09 - 6/30/14
Principal Investigators: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D. (subcontract PI), Prime: Baystate Medical Center
Partner Organizations: Baystate Medical Center, WC-PRC/UMass Worcester
Project Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a practice-based, culturally sensitive case management intervention that targets system, provider, and patient barriers to diabetes care.
RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS
-Worcester County Prevention Research Center (WC-PRC)-Funded Pilot Projects
Primary Prevention for Resettled Refugees: Where Best to Begin?
Focus of Study: Overweight, Obesity, Chronic Conditions
Funder: Worcester County Prevention Research Center
Project Dates: 1/1/2011–12/31/2011
Principal Investigators: Meredith Walsh, RN, MPH, Clara Savage, Ph.D., Suzanne Cashman, Sc.D.
Partner Organizations: Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP), Common Pathways, UMass Medical School Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
Project Description: Assess how refugees from Burma settling in Worcester view health and wellness, and how exposure to a healthy living curriculum influences their views toward health, wellness, stress management and prevention of chronic diseases.
- A Community Based Social Networking Intervention to Increase Dog Walking
Focus of Study: Physical activity
Funder: UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Project Dates: 1/1/2011 – 12/31/12
Principal Investigator: Kristin Schneider, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: Common Pathways
Project Description: This project consisted of developmental work to inform the social networking dog- walking intervention followed by a trial to assess whether the intervention increases walking in dog owners compared to a standard print-based control condition.
-Skin Cancer Risk and Physical Activity
Focus of Study: Physical activity & cancer
Funder: American Cancer Society
Project Dates: 4/1/2011 – 3/31/12
Principal Investigator: Kristin Schneider, Ph.D.
Project Description: The purpose of this study was to understand whether physical activity was associated with increased risk for skin cancer and to identify profiles of individuals at greatest risk.
- Preventing Cancer by Addressing Adolescent Risk Behaviors
Focus of Study: Obesity and tobacco
Funder: UMass/Dartmouth Cancer Center
Project Dates: 9/1/2011 - 5/31/12
Principal Investigator: Lori Pbert, PhD
Partner Organizations: Dartmouth Medical School, MA Department of Public Health/School Health Unit, 8 high schools in Massachusetts
Project Description: The purpose of this study was to modify or delay the onset of cancer-causing behaviors adopted during childhood & adolescence, focusing on tobacco use and behaviors associated with obesity. General aims were to better understand the neurobiological basis for self regulation of cue responses.
- Centers of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities (CEEDs)
Focus of Study: Health Disparities in New England
Funder: CDC
Project Dates: 10/01/2007 - 9/30/2012
Principal Investigator: Suzanne Cashman, Sc.D.
Partner Organizations: UMass Medical School, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, MA Department of Public Health, YWCA of Greater Lawrence, Home Care Inc, City of Lawrence (MHTF and Lawrence Council on Aging)
Project Description: This study provided training, technical assistance and information to additional Latino communities across New England to develop local capacity to eliminate disparities in the targeted diseases (asthma, breast and cervical cancer, CVD, and diabetes).
-Behavioral Activation Enhanced Exercise Intervention for Diabetes and Depression
Focus of Study: Type 2 diabetes and depression
Funder: NIH/NIDDK
Project Dates: 7/1/2009 – 6/30/12
Principal Investigator: Kristin Schneider, Ph.D.
Project Description: This study tested an exercise treatment program that included behavioral strategies to improve blood sugar.
-Treating Co-Morbid Obesity and Major Depressive Disorder
Focus of Study: Obesity and depression
Funder: NIH/NIMH
Project Dates: 4/1/07 - 3/31/12
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Project Description: This study evaluated the efficacy of behavioral activation plus weight control treatment to standard behavioral weight control treatment on weight loss.
- School Nurse-delivered Intervention for Overweight and At Risk Adolescents
Focus of Study: Overweight & obesity
Funder: NIH (NICHD)
Project Dates: 2/5/08 – 1/31/11
Principal Investigator: Lori Pbert, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Massachusetts Department of Public Health School Health Unit, 6 Massachusetts public high schools
Project Description: This study implemented a school nurse-delivered intervention model for the treatment of adolescents overweight, and tested its feasibility and potential efficacy in reducing BMI, improving diet, increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior.
-The Role of Stress in Insulin Resistance Following Bariatric Surgery
Focus of Study: Insulin resistance and bariatric surgery
Funder: Boston Obesity and Nutrition Research Center Pilot and Feasibility Fund
Project Dates: 5/1/2007 – 6/1/11
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Project Description: This study evaluated changes in insulin resistance, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, and inflammatory markers in patients with high and low chronic stress before and 6-months following roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
-Engaged: E-Networks Guiding Adherence to Goals for Exercise and Diet
Focus of Study: Exercise and diet
Funder: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, NIH
Project Dates: 9/30/09 – 8/31/11
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D. (sub-contract PI)
Partner Organization: Northwestern University
Project Description: This study created E-Networks to guided adherence to goals for exercise and diet.
-Community-Based Participatory Research for Diabetes Prevention in Individuals with Mental Illness
Focus of Study: Diabetes
Funder: Healey Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts in Partnership with ServiceNet
Project Dates: 2/1/10 - 1/31/11
Principal Investigator: Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D.
Partner Organization: ServiceNet
Project Description: This study trained direct care work force of ServiceNet, a community mental health organization in Central MA, in lifestyle counseling and to pilot test the impact of this training using a group-based lifestyle intervention.
-A Pilot Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes among Hispanic Women
Focus of Study: Gestational diabetes
Funder: CDC/ASPH
Project Dates: 9/28/09 - 9/27/11
Partner Organizations: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Baystate Medical Center
Principal Investigator: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D (subcontract PI), Prime: Lisa Chasan-Taber, Sc.D., MPH, FACSM (UMass Amherst)
Project Description: The study tested the feasibility and potential impact of a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention to prevent gestational diabetes among pregnant, overweight/obese Hispanic women at increased risk for gestational diabetes.
-A Community Partnership for Prevention of Type-2 Diabetes in Youth at High Risk
Focus of Study: Diabetes prevention
Funder: University of Massachusetts Life Sciences Moment Fund
Project Dates: 4/1/09 - 3/31/11
Principal Investigator: Lori Pbert, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: UMass Lowell, Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell Boys and Girls Club
Project Description: This community based intensive intervention tested the feasibility and efficacy of a community-based intensive 5-month weight management program for obese low-income middle school youth in decreasing fasting insulin and metabolic risk, and improving adherence to weight-related self-management behaviors.
-Virtual World Health Behavior Counseling for Patients with Diabetes
Focus of Study: Diabetes
Funder: NIH, ARRA
Project Dates: 9/30/10 – 9/29/11
Principal Investigator: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D. (subcontract PI); Prime: John Weicha, MD, MPH (Boston Medical Center)
Partner Organizations: Boston Medical Center
Project Description: This comparative effectiveness study evaluated the feasibility of a theory-driven diabetes self-management intervention delivered through interactive group sessions within a virtual reality environment (i.e., Second Life) vs. in-person. The study targeted low-income African Americans, a population with considerable diabetes disparities.
-Support for Post-Partum Weight Loss Among Women Enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
Focus of Study: Overweight
Funder: UMass Memorial and Common Pathways
Project Dates: 10/1/08 – 9/30/10
Principal Investigators: Milagros C. Rosal, Ph.D. and Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D.
Partner Organizations: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, WIC program of Worcester, Family Health Center, Worcester Youth Center
Project Description: This study tested the feasibility and effectiveness of a group based weight loss program among clients in the WIC Program.