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Meet the Lab – Caroline Willett

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Caroline Willett (she/her)

Research Assistant, First Year PhD Student in Health Behavior and Health Promotion

I am from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I have a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Biology, Chemistry, Human Needs and Global Resources) and a Masters Degree in Biomedical Sciences. My interest lies in addressing the challenge of chronic pain experienced by People Living with HIV and LGBTQ+ health inequities.

What drew you to public health education?

I was drawn to continue my education in the field of Public Health because throughout my education in biology, I found myself constantly considering the social and structural barriers that led to these biological and physiological conditions, and I wanted to address them.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal is to finish my PhD and continue to work in the field of health behavior and practice intervention-based research centered around community needs.

How do you spend your time outside of academia?

When I am not working or doing classwork, I love to be outside as much as possible! I am a long-distance runner and enjoy hiking. I am also a violinist, and I love making music with friends and family members.

Research Report: “Structural stigma and inequities in tobacco use among sexual and gender minoritized people: Accounting for context and intersectionality”

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Abstract:

Sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) populations—including, but not limited to, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, and other minoritized sexual and gender identities (LGBTQIA2S+)—have as much as a 50%-100% higher prevalence of tobacco use than those who are not SGM.1,2 Stigma is thought to play a critical role in SGM tobacco use inequities. SGM people describe tobacco use as a strategy to cope with and resist internalization of SGM-based stigma3 following experiences of intrapersonal stressors (eg, internalized homophobia/transphobia, fear of SGM identity disclosure) and interpersonal stressors (eg, discrimination, victimization). However, the role of structural stigma (eg, policies, societal attitudes) in the initiation and maintenance of tobacco use remains underexplored.

In this commentary, arising from the 2024 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco pre-conference workshop sponsored by the Health Equity Network, “Conducting Research on LGBTQ+ Tobacco Use in High-Stigma Environments,” we examine the role of structural stigma in tobacco use and control within SGM populations. Our aim is to stimulate additional research that incorporates measures of structural stigma experienced by SGM people and to consider how it intersects with the structural stigma that individuals may experience due to their other identities (eg, race/ethnicity or where they live) to impact tobacco use. To accomplish this aim, we first define structural stigma and discuss commonly employed methods of measuring it; provide a few illustrative examples of how structural stigma, including intersectional stigma, may perpetuate tobacco use inequities for SGM populations; and encourage research evaluating the influence of structural stigma on SGM tobacco use and cessation, and on the inclusion of SGM people in tobacco research.

Full Citation:

Antin T, Cartujano-Barrera F, De Genna N, Hinds J, Kaner E, Lee J, Patterson J, Ruiz R, Stimatze T, Tan A, Heffner J (2024). Structural Stigma and Inequities in Tobacco Use Among Sexual and Gender Minoritized People: Accounting for Context and Intersectionality, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2024;, ntae280, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae280

Link to full paper

‘Authentic’ or ‘corny’: LGBTQ+ young adults respond to visual, thematic and semantic elements of culturally targeted tobacco public education advertisements

| stanwick.10

Abstract: 

Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) young adults (YA) experience disparities in nicotine and tobacco use. Mass-reach health communications can prevent nicotine and tobacco initiation and progression, but LGBTQ+adults report low engagement. Although cultural targeting (CT) could reach LGBTQ+YA, we know little about the strategies that resonate with this population. We probed how LGBTQ+YA perceived CT content to inform tobacco public education campaigns on strategies to engage this population.

Methods We conducted six focus groups with N=20 LGBTQ+YA (18–35) who had ever used vapes, cigarettes or both. We showed participants examples of CT tobacco public education campaigns, probed their opinions and perceptions and coded transcripts using a data-driven inductive approach.

Results Participants were more inclined to view an ad as effective when they felt it was authentically created for the LGBTQ+community. Avoiding stereotyping, including diversity, using ’subtle’ LGBTQ+iconography (ie, rainbows), and including personal experiences all contributed to the authenticity of the ad. Participants discussed the importance of visual appeal; bright colours made ads appear too corporate or like an ad for a tobacco product. Lastly, participants responded well to gain-framed messages rather than traditional risk messaging.

Conclusion Tobacco public education ads featuring ’every-day’ LGBTQ+people in candid or unposed shots, personal stories with gain-framed messaging, and subtle Pride iconography and colours may increase acceptability among LGBTQ+YA. Researchers should focus on cultivating authenticity in ads and avoid outdated trends by consulting with the community and moving with speed from development to implementation.

Full Citation:

Ennis, A. C., Meadows, A., Jankowski, E., Miller, C., Curran, H., Elson, E., Galusha, S., Turk, G., Stanwick, M., & Patterson, J. G. (2024). ‘Authentic’ or ‘corny’: LGBTQ+ young adults respond to visual, thematic and semantic elements of culturally targeted tobacco public education advertisements. Tobacco Control, tc-2024-058858. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2024-058858

Link to full paper

Meet the Lab – Ella Anderson

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Ella Anderson (she/her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Second Year Public Health – Environmental Public Health Major

I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am interested in disparities in the burden of disease, specifically cancer, across different communities and demographic groups.  

What drew you to a public health education?

I first became aware of health disparities through learning about the inequality of climate change effects across different socioeconomic groups. From there, I became extremely interested in public health and how I was able to combine my passion for social justice, the environment, and health into a field of study. 

What are your goals for the future?

I plan on getting my MPH in Epidemiology, and I hope to go onto work in disease prevention. I would like to for an organization like the CDC or a major hospital and work to reduce the burden of disease in communities.  

How do you spend your time outside of academia?

Outside of academia, I love running, going to concerts, and going to Ohio State football games! 

Meet the Lab – Khya Smith

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Khya Smith (she/her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Third Year Public Health Sociology Major, Business Minor

I am originally from Chicago Illinois, and my public health interests stem from the extreme inequities that I often notice in our nation’s health and healthcare systems. 

What drew you to a public health education?

I have always known that I wanted to go into the healthcare field as I have seen the ways that it has impacted my family. I chose public health as I began to see all of the shortcomings in the healthcare system that have cost people their lives. Ever since seeing the way that the healthcare system has impacted my family in both negative and positive ways, it has been my goal to make to close the disparity gap. I believe that everyone deserves quality healthcare and through my education experience my eyes have been opened to so many different avenues to ensure that goal. 

What are your goals for the future?

As of right now I plan to get my master’s in health or business administration and hopefully go into hospital management. I personally have been let down by many doctors’ offices and hospital visits and I would love to be a part of making that experience better for people. This is something I am extremely passionate about and I look forward to learning more about how I can do that for so many different people.

How do you spend your time outside of academia?

I am a big sports fan and love cheering for the Chicago Bulls and Bears. Additionally, after doing gymnastics most of my life I am a huge college gymnastics fan and am sure to never miss a meet. I also love to spend time with family and friends playing board games and watching reality TV shows. 

Meet the Lab – Nina Wolf

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Nina Wolf (she/her)

Graduate Research Associate, MFA candidate in Design Research and Development (second year), Graduate Minor in Public Health Behavior and Promotion

I grew up in Akron, Ohio, and earned my BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Sustainability Studies from Pratt Institute in 2023. My interest lies in exploring the intersection of design and public health, seeking how design can be leveraged in addressing public health challenges.

What are your goals for the future?

I’d love to work as a user experience researcher in public health or healthcare and eventually also teach as a design professor. No matter where I end up though, my main goal is to do work that helps others in a meaningful way—that’s what gives me a sense of purpose!

How do you spend your time outside of academia?

Outside of academia, I recharge by spending time with loved ones, catching up on the latest sci-fi movies and music biopics (Rocketman is a favorite!), listening to investigative podcasts (I’m currently into one called Hysterical), and playing pickleball. Recently, I’ve also been trying to get back into hiking!

Meet the Lab – Cherod Bowens

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Cherod Bowens (he/him)

Research Assistant, Undergraduate Neuroscience Major, 2026

I’m a Columbus native with a primary interest in community and environmental health. I am working as a researcher on Greater Columbus INSIGHT; I am thrilled to deliver our findings back to our communities and continue to make space for marginalized voices to be uplifted in research.

 

What drew you to a public health education?

I was drawn to public health education through Joanne’s course, Role of Behavior in Public Health. As a behavioral neuroscience student, I was drawn to the ways that human behavior and choice access informs generations of people, not only through how we develop but also how our communities can thrive when given a fair chance. Throughout this course we addressed many different determinants of health with a focus on how they developed and also the possible ways that we can shift their prevalence in others’ lives. Being in a public health centered environment not only opened my eyes to the world of public health education but also equipped me with the tools to become an active changemaker within it.

What makes you passionate about addressing health disparities in your research?

The thing that makes me the most passionate about addressing health disparities in our research is the reality that so many people exist within systems that have been built up to disenfranchise and displace them. Having witnessed this firsthand and the ways to mitigate these risks, I have made an intentional effort to be a part of the mending process of communities and that is exactly what our research does. Through our research we do the necessary work to best ensure that all people are heard and have equitable access to the resources that their communities deserve.

What are your goals for the future?

I hope to graduate with my bachelor’s and go on to pursue my MPH and JD in health policy law.

How do you spend your time outside of academia?

Outside of academia, I am an Adult Ally with the Franklin County Youth Council which focuses on best practices to better teen mental health and provide mutual aid throughout Franklin County. Additionally, I love playing chess, running, and listening to Clairo.

Dr. Patterson featured in PHPod episode “The Lavender Haze: Enabling a Healthy Queer Future”

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Dr. Patterson was featured on the PHPod podcast in an episde entitled “The Lavender Haze: Enabling a Healthy Queer Future.” In this episode of PHPod, host Abby Varker speaks with experts about the current health landscape that queer youth and young adults are facing in the U.S., touching on gender-affirming care, minor consent laws, substance use, and harm reduction techniques. They also discuss the possible strategies to enable LGBTQ+ people to live healthier lives in the future. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts!

“Minority stressors and tobacco use among a US sample of sexual and gender minority young adults” – new research led by Dr. Wilson Figueroa

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In this new paper published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the relationship between minority stress and current tobacco use is examined amongst LGBTQ+ young adults. Major findings include trans young adults experiencing the highest levels of both general and minority stress, and increased odds of current tobacco use among trans young adults as minority stress increases. This study has implications for policy related to creating safe spaces for trans young adults to reduce minority stress, and also for tailored interventions that consider minority stress as a factor related to tobacco use.

Check out the full article here.

Authors: Wilson Figueroa; Emma Jankowski; Hayley Curran; Alysha C. Ennis; Tonia Poteat; Ethan Morgan; Elizabeth Klein; Rin Reczek; and Joanne G. Patterson

Greater Columbus INSIGHT

| Elle Elson

 

 

Are you 18 years and older, live/work in the greater Columbus, OH area, and identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or serve the LGBTQ+ community in your work? The Ohio State University’s Center for HOPES and PS LGBTQ Equity Lab, along with Franklin County Public Health, and Columbus Public Health is conducting a study to investigate the needs and assess of the LGBTQ+ community in greater Columbus, OH. Eligible participants will receive a $50 gift card for their insight. 

Follow the link to find out if you are eligible: