Featured Faculty Researcher(s)
Tobacco Cessation
Dr. Moore-Ude led a research in which the team evaluated factors influencing smoking cessation success in the Freedom From Tobacco (FFT) Program by Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Using the Social Ecological Model, the researchers examined 471 participants and found that the only significant predictor of quitting smoking was the number of previous quit attempts. Participants who had tried to quit four or more times were 2.6 times more likely to succeed. The 12-month quit rate for the program was 43.1%. The researchers of the study recommend longer-term support and addressing reasons for relapse to improve outcomes.
Women's Health
Dr. Kapella-Mshigeni worked with an interdisciplinary team to examine the ethical and practical implications of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women. Researchers found that pregnant women who contracted COVID-19 faced severe risks, including stillbirth, preterm birth, ICU admissions for newborns, and death. Despite growing evidence supporting the vaccine’s safety during pregnancy, only about one-third of pregnant women were fully vaccinated as of mid-September 2021. The team reviewed 16 cases, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, with outcomes that reflected national data. Their study also introduced a framework to guide healthcare providers in supporting pregnant women with accurate, informed messaging about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ethical and Practical Implication of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women