Researcher Profile
Karen M. Emmons, PhD
Professor of Society, Human Development, and Health, and Associate Dean of Research, Harvard School of Public Health
Contact Information
Karen M. Emmons, PhDDana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street
375 Longwood 660
Boston, MA 02115
Office phone: (617) 632-2188
Fax: (617) 632-5690
E-mail: karen_m_emmons@dfci.harvard.edu
Preferred contact method: e-mail
Research
Our work has focused on interventions to (1) reduce the risk of cancer among children and families, (2) target multiple risk factors for cancer, and (3) enhance motivation to change cancer risk factors. We have a partner focus on cancer disparities.
We have conducted a number of large-scale studies examining risk-factor reduction in the healthcare setting. One study conducted among patients with adenomatous polyps demonstrated significant reductions in multiple risk factors for colon cancer. This research suggests that identification of early precursors for cancer can provide an important opportunity for intervention related to cancer risk behaviors.
Our work represents an effort to investigate the theoretical principles and mediating mechanisms that underlie the challenge of changing multiple behaviors in an optimal and cost-effective manner. Important associations between risk factors were found which have implications for the design of cancer-prevention intervention for at-risk populations. Our research also targets efforts to change behaviors in those with familial risk. For example, one of our studies, using brief telephone counseling and tailored materials, demonstrated a significant impact on skin self-examination among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients.
We also have a strong interest in the reduction of cancer disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position. We recently completed a study examining reduction of multiple risk factors for cancer among working class, multiethnic populations. The intervention led to significant reductions in dietary risk factors for cancer and improvements in folate intake. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared favorably with accepted cancer screening strategies. Our research team is now focused on developing a more sustainable approach to delivery of this intervention strategy within healthcare settings.
Taken together, this work reflects our intention to incorporate critical challenges for public health research into interventions. These studies target populations that are typically underserved with respect to cancer control research. Our work is building important bridges between clinical and behavioral sciences and the community, which will be increasingly important to public health in the coming years.
Recent Awards
- President Elect, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2009-2010
- Harold Amos Diversity Award, 2009
- Distinguished Research Mentor, Society of Behavioral Medicine , 2004
Biography
Dr. Emmons received her PhD in 1988 from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. After serving on the faculties of the University of Illinois and Brown University, she joined DFCI and Harvard School of Public Health in 1994. Her research focuses primarily on community-based approaches to cancer prevention and control among low-income and underserved populations, with an emphasis on strategies for enhancing motivation to change related health behaviors.
Select Publications
- Emmons KM, McBride CM, Puleo E, Pollak K, Marcus BH, Napolitano M, Clipp E, Onken J, Farraye FA, Fletcher R. Prevalence and predictors of multiple behavioral risk factors for colon cancer. Prev Med 2005;40:527-34.
- Emmons KM, McBride CM, Puleo E, Pollak KI, Clipp E, Kuntz K, Marcus BH, Napolitano M, Onken J, Farraye F, Fletcher R. Project PREVENT: A randomized trial to reduce multiple behavioral risk factors for colon cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14:1435-59.
- Emmons KM, Stoddard AM, Fletcher R, Gutheil C, Gonzalez Suarez E, Lobb R, Weeks J, Bigby JA. Cancer prevention among working class, multiethnic adults: results of the Healthy Directions Health Centers study. Am J Public Health 2005;95:1-7.
- Hammond SK, Emmons KM. Inmate exposure to secondhand smoke in correctional facilities and the impact of smoking restriction. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2005;15:205-11.
- Emmons KM, Wong M, Puleo E, Weinstein N, Fletcher R, Colditz GA. Tailored computer-based cancer risk communication: correcting colorectal cancer risk. J Health Commun 2004;9:127-41.
- McNeill LH, Coeling M, Puleo E, Suarez EG, Bennett GG, Emmons KM. Colorectal cancer prevention for low-income, sociodemographically-diverse adults in public housing: baseline findings of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. Epub 2009 Sep 18;9(1):353.
- Shelton RC, Puleo E, Bennett GG, McNeil LH, Sorensen G, Emmons KM. The association between racial and gender discrimination and body mass index among residents living in lower-income housing. Ethn Dis. 2009 Summer;19(3):251-7.
- Emmons KM, Lobb R, Puleo E, Bennett G, Stoffel E, Syngal S. Colorectal cancer screening: Prevalence among low-income groups with health insurance. HealthAff. 2009 Jan-Feb;28(1):169-77. PMCID: PMC2750909.
- Emmons KM, Puleo E, Mertens A, Gritz ER, Diller L, Li FP. Long-Term Smoking Cessation Outcomes Among Childhood Cancer Survivors in The Partnership for Health Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2009, Jan: 27(1):52-60. Epub 2008 Dec 1. PMCID: PMC2645097.
- Emmons KM, Viswanath K, Colditz GC. The Role of transdisciplinary collaboration in translating and disseminating health research: Lessons learned and exemplars of success. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2008, Aug;35(2S):S204-10.
