Research

Tobacco Treatment and Policy Research

 

The Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT) conducts cutting-edge tobacco treatment and control research in the context of health care and community settings, medical education and public health.  We design, evaluate and disseminate tobacco dependence treatment that is practical to integrate within the medical and public health delivery system to reduce the burden of tobacco use.  We also conduct population-based studies to evaluate the impact of public policies on tobacco use.  Our treatment-related research has included the design and evaluation of innovative behavioral interventions for nicotine dependence prevention and treatment in adolescents, adults, non-daily smokers, and pregnant women and the testing of novel methods for incorporating tobacco dependence treatment teaching into medical school curriculum. 

On the policy level our research has included the evaluation of statewide policies influencing community-based tobacco treatment programs; and the evaluation of smoke free policies in public housing units and cigar packaging/pricing regulations on youth smoking.  A hallmark of the clinical and translational research we do is the use of a community-based approach, establishing and nurturing participatory collaborations and defining joint research directions with our community partners including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), public schools and school health, medical schools, Community Healthcare Centers (CHCs), and community-based organizations. We also have developed and validated measures to assess clinician implementation of evidence-based tobacco treatment guidelines, including the Patient Exit Interview and assessment of the delivery of tobacco treatment assistance for the HEDIS (Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set) measure.  The Center's founder and director, Dr. Lori Pbert, and Center faculty and staff serve as consultants to local, national and international researchers and organizations. 

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RESEARCH PROGRAM DIRECTORS:

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 Obesity Research

Our research in the area of obesity is guided by our goal of being a national leader in clinical and community approaches to targeting the obesity epidemic. Our obesity-related research aims to understand determinants of weight gain and weight loss to and develop and evaluate best practices for addressing the obesity epidemic. This includes observational research, efficacy intervention research, effectiveness and implementation research and policy research, spanning the behavioral translational research spectrum. Collectively, this work targets a range of populations and settings. Areas of excellence in obesity research include health disparities, comorbid physical and mental health, child and adolescent health, worksite health promotion, built environment and policy research and technology-based interventions. Reflecting our desire to make real world impact, much of this research is conducted in partnership with organizations such as state and local departments of public health, community health centers and other clinical settings, schools, worksites and a range of community-based organizations. This work is funded by several institutes within the National Institutes for Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, institutional grants and foundations. The CDC-funded UMass Worcester Prevention Research Center (PRC), directed by Stephenie Lemon, Ph.D., serves as an umbrella for much of the intervention and policy obesity research conducted by our team. The PRC’s mission is to establish community, public health, health care and academic capacity to engage in equitable research partnerships for conducting applied public health research targeting physical activity, healthy eating, obesity and associated chronic conditions among Worcester area residents. Our obesity faculty include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, nutritionists and clinical psychologists who are locally, nationally and internationally recognized experts who are shaping the national agenda aimed at reducing the obesity epidemic.

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Community Health and Health Disparities Research

The Research Center for Behavior and Community Health Solutions conducts cutting-age intervention and epidemiological research to improve health equity and eliminate health disparities in the areas of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. We develop, evaluate and disseminate innovative interventions among vulnerable communities, such as underserved, mentally impaired, elderly, and racial/ethnic and other minorities. Our interventions target healthy eating, physical activity, sedentariness, smoking, cancer screening and health care utilization, among others. We collaborate with community partners and organizations throughout Massachusetts in all aspects of our research. Our faculty includes health psychologists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians and physicians. The center is directed by Dr. Milagros C. Rosal.

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Women’s Health Research

A number of faculty in Preventive and Behavioral Medicine are engaged in wide-ranging research in women's health, from pregnancy through the menopausal transition and beyond.  We collaborate with investigators from the departments of obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and cardiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, as well as from numerous outside institutions.  Our pregnancy-related research includes studies of diet, gestational weight gain, and infant and maternal health in the postpartum period, as well as assessment of biomarkers for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia.  Our work in menopause and women's health began in 1994 with participation as a site in the national Women's Health Initiative (WHI) that includes both observational and randomized clinical trials investigating use of hormone therapy, calcium/vitamin D, and a low fat diet for postmenopausal women.  Thirteen WHI ancillary studies were conducted between 1998-2013, with a focus on memory, cognition, nutritional and physical activity assessment, breast cancer prevention through nutrition, cancer survivorship, and macular degeneration. 

We also conduct research on gestational weight gain and post-partum weight loss, with particular emphasis on interventions that optimize weight gain during pregnancy and maximize return to a healthy weight after childbirth. We also conduct research on the transition from pre- to post-menopause as part of the longitudinal Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), with a focus on racial/ethnic differences in health and health care patterns across the transition.  Affiliated studies include the SWAN Repository and ancillary studies on identification of bleeding markers for defining menopausal stages and on the association of phytoestrogens and health in mid-aged women.  In two randomized clinical trials, we assessed the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and soy phytoestrogens for relief of vasomotor symptoms.  We are conducting a case-control study to assess risk factors for the development of stress cardiomyopathy, a syndrome that typically affects older women.  Our faculty has expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, health education, cardiology and behavioral psychology.