Ana F. Abraído-Lanza, Ph.D. Associate Professor Dept. of Sociomedical Sciences Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health tel: 212/305-1859 fax: 212/305-0315 email: aabraido@columbia.edu

Ana Abraído-Lanza received her Ph.D. in Social-Personality Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She also completed a post-doctoral training fellowship program in Psychiatric Epidemiology at Columbia University's School of Public Health. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. She teaches courses on Current Issues in Latino Health, Health Psychology, as well as a course entitled Seminar in Research and Professional Development. Her research focuses on cultural, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors that affect psychological well-being, adjustment to chronic illness, and mortality and health among Latinos, as well as health disparities between Latinos and non-Latino whites. Her current research projects include the study of:  (1) Latina women’s beliefs and attitudes about breast cancer; (2) sociodemographic and cultural factors that influence breast cancer screening behaviors among Latinas and non-Latina whites; (3) acculturation and cancer screening behaviors among Latina women; (4) coping and psychosocial adjustment among Latinos with arthritis; and (5) socioeconomic status, disability, and disparities in arthritis between Latinos and non-Latino whites.

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The health of Latino populations in the United States; socioeconomic status and health; breast and cervical cancer screening; acculturation theory; psychological adjustment to chronic illness, especially arthritis; psychological thriving; social support and coping with illness; social roles and identity theory; health disparities between Latinos and non-Latino whites.

REPRESENTATIVE AND RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Chao, M.T., &  Flórez, K. (2005).  Do healthy behaviors decline with greater acculturation?:  Implications for the Latino mortality paradox.  Social Science & Medicine, 61, 1243-1255.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Chao, M.T., & Gates, C.Y. (2005).  Acculturation and cancer screening among Latinas:  Results from the National Health Interview Survey.  Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 29(1), 22-28.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Chao, M.T., & Gammon, M. (2004).  Breast and cervical cancer screening among Latinas and non-Latina whites.  American Journal of Public Health, 94(8), 1393-1398.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F. (2004).  Social support and psychological adjustment among Latinas with arthritis: A test of a theoretical model. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 27(3), 162–171.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., White, K., & Vásquez, E. (2004).  Immigrant populations and health.  In N.B. Anderson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Health and Behavior (pp.533-537).  Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Vásquez, E., & Echeverría, S.E. (2004).  En las manos de Dios [in God’s Hands]:  Religious and other forms of coping among Latinos with arthritis.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(1), 91–102.

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Dohrenwend, B.P., Ng-Mak, D.S., & Turner, J.B. (1999). The Latino mortality paradox: A test of the "salmon bias" and healthy migrant hypotheses. American Journal of Public Health, 89, 1543-1548.

COURSES

Introduction to Health Psychology (P8767)

This course offers an overview of theoretical issues and research methods in the psychological study of health and illness.  The course emphasizes theoretical perspectives in the psychology of health, illness prevention, stress, and coping with illness; and highlights research, methods, and applied issues. The course provides an overview and synthesis of the fields of social and health psychology and demonstrates how theories and methods from these fields can be applied to understand and address a variety of topics in public health.  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:  (1) discuss major theoretical perspectives from social and health psychology and behavioral medicine and explain how they apply to various public health issues; (2) describe social, behavioral, and cultural factors that contribute to health and illness; (3) analyze the applicability and relevance of social psychological theories in addressing public health problems and controversies. Course unit topics are organized around particular themes including:  risk perception and health cognition; stress and illness; social and cultural resources; social roles, the self-concept and health; the relationship between physical and mental health; coping with chronic illness; patient-physician interactions and the hospital setting; and psychological approaches to public health controversies.

Current Issues in Latino Health (P8753)

This course provides an overview of selected current research issues and theories concerning the mental and physical health of Latino populations in the United States. Topics addressed include: the heterogeneity of Latino groups, health behavior theories, acculturation and identity theory, immigration, HIV/AIDS, cancer, coping, social support, and psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness. Emphasis is placed on analyzing dominant theories in health psychology and behavioral medicine and discussing their applicability (if any) to the health of Latinos. The course highlights the need to integrate cultural issues in theory and research. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: (1) describe the health status and major sociodemographic profiles of Latino groups in the United States, (2) discuss health issues affecting these populations, and identify gaps in the literature, (3) discuss major theoretical paradigms in Latino mental and physical health, and (4) explain the significance of social, behavioral and cultural factors contributing to the mental and physical health of Latino populations in the United States.

Seminar in Research and Professional Development (P8798)

This seminar is designed for students who are participating in the IMSD (Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity) at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.  Other students may register for the course with the Instructor's permission.  The purpose of the IMSD program is to increase the number of under-represented students who receive doctoral training in public health.  Upon completion of the 2-year seminar course, students will be able to:  (1) describe and outline strategies for "surviving" graduate school and effectively completing the doctoral degree, (2) discuss faculty and students' research in order to engage in debates about public health issues and polices, (3) identify methods for working effectively with a research mentor, (4) develop an abstract, poster, and oral presentation for a scientific conference, (5) employ methods and strategies for effective scientific writing, (6) assess and evaluate statistical concepts and methods using real-world examples of health issues that affect historically under-served communities.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS

Professional organizations and information:
American Psychological Association (APA)
Health Psychology (APA Division 38)
Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (APA Division 45)
APA Minority Fellowship Program
APA Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs
American Public Health Association
Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
Society of Behavioral Medicine

Cancer:
American Cancer Society
Intercultural Cancer Council

Arthritis:
The Arthritis Foundation

Minority Health:
Office of Minority Health
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities of NIH