Health Communication

Thomas Feeley, Ph. D (University at Buffalo)    

Lance Rintamaki, Ph. D (U. Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Janet Z. Yang, Ph. D (Cornell University)

Faculty members in the Department of Communication are involved in multiple aspects of health communication research, including access to health information, health promotion, health campaigns, risk communication, health literacy, social marketing, government & policy-making, health education, and the implications of information and communication technologies for health communication.

Increasing Organ Donation Registration in New York State through Voter Registration.

HRSA, Health Services Bureau, Division of Transplantation (NIH). 09/01/14-08/31/17. $930,633 ($399,699 UB). PI: Aisha Tator, New York Alliance for Donation, Inc., E. Greenbush, NY. Co-PI: Thomas H. Feeley.

Addressing Resistance to Psychiatric Healthcare Uptake among Older American Veterans.

Veteran’s Healthcare Administration, Health Services Research & Development, HSPLIP 65992. 2014-2015. $73,600. Co-Investigator: Lance Rintamaki.

RAPID Proposal: Psychological Distance, Risk Perceptions and Communication Behaviors during the Ebola Outbreak

National Science Foundation. 2014-2015. $84,110. PI: Janet Yang.

Advanced Nursing Education Grant.

HRSA, Health Services Bureau. 07/01/13-06/30/16. PI: Nancy Campbell-Heider, Co-PI: Thomas H. Feeley.

A Positive Deviance Approach to Increasing Familial Consent Rates.

HRSA, Health Services Bureau, Division of Transplantation (NIH). 09/01/13-08/31/16. $631,306. PI: Ashley Anker, Department of Communication, University at Buffalo. Co-PI: Thomas H. Feeley.

Effective Strategies for Promoting Donation to Mature Adults: A Multi-State Intervention. Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)

Health Services Bureau (HSB), Division of Transplantation (DOT) 09/01/12-08/31/14. $637,411 ($200,715 UB). Co-PI: Thomas H. Feeley.

A DMV-based Intervention to Increase Organ Donation in New York State. Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)

Health Services Bureau (HSB), Division of Transplantation (DOT). 09/01/11-08/31/14. $479,353 ($236,717 UB). Co-PI: Thomas H. Feeley. 

Increasing Organ Donation in New York through Challenge Campaigns  

Health Resources Services Administration, Division of Transplantation, Division of Transplantation. 09/01/11-08/31/13. $517,136. Co-Investigator: Michael A. Stefanone.

A peer-to-peer campus campaign to promote organ donation in minority students in New York City

Health Resources Services Administration, Division of Transplantation. 09/01/09-08/31/11. $501,927. PI: Thomas Feeley. Co-PI: New York Organ Donor Network, Inc.

Brashers, D. E., Rintamaki, L. S., Basinger, E.d., Para, M., & Caughglin, J. P. (2017). Taking Control: The Efficacy and Durability of a Peer­Led Uncertainty Management Intervention for People Recently Diagnosed with HIV. Health Communication, 23, 11­21 (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 1.314).

Chen, Y., & Feeley, T.H. (in press). Predicting binge drinking in college students: Rational beliefs, stress, or loneliness. Journal of Drug Education.

Feeley, T.H., Anker, A.E., Evans, M., & Reynolds-Tylus, T. (in press). A DMV-Based intervention to promote organ donation in New York State. Progress in Transplantation.

Nickels, B. M., & Feeley, T. H. (in press). Breaking bad news in veterinarian medicine. Health Communication.

Ng, Y., Yang, Z. J., & Vishwanath, A. (in press). To fear or not to fear? Applying the social amplification of risk framework on two environmental health risks in Singapore. Journal of Risk Research.

Pittman, M. M. & Yang, Z. J. (in press). Who is to blame? Framing HPV to influence vaccination intentions among college students. Health Communication.

Szatkowski, H., Peek, D. M., & Rintamaki, L. S. (in press). Our hearts are like boats: Using metaphor to make complex information understandable to patients. In A. Du Pre & E. Berlin­Ray, (Eds.), Real­life scenarios: A case study perspective on health communication. New York: Oxford.

Yang, Z. J. & Chu, H. (in press). Who is afraid of the Ebola outbreak? The influence of discrete emotions on risk perception. Journal or Risk Research. doi: 10.1080/13669877.2016.1247378

Yang, Z. J. & Pittman, M. M. (2017). The silver lining of shame: Framing HPV to influence vaccination intentions. Health Communication, 32(8), 987-994. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2016.1196420

Anker, A.E., Feeley, T.H., McCracken, B., & Lagoe, C.A. (2016). Measuring the effectiveness of mass-mediated health campaigns through meta-analysis. Journal of Health Communication.

Feeley, T.H., O’Mally, A.K., & Covert, J. (2016). A content analysis of organ donation stories printed in United States’ Newspapers: Application of Newsworthiness. Health Communication, 31(4), 495-203.

Feeley, T. H., Quick, B. L., & Lee, S. (2016). Using direct mail to promote organ donor registration: Two campaigns and a meta-analysis. Clinical Transplantation, 30, 1564-1569.

Quick, B. L., Anker, A. E., Feeley, T. H., & Morgan, S. E. (2016) An examination of three theoretical models to explain the organ donation attitude-registration discrepancy among mature adults. Health Communication, 31(3), 265-274.

Quick, B. L., Reynolds-Tylus, T. J., Fico, A. E., & Feeley, T. H. (2016). An investigation into mature adults’ reluctance to register as organ donors. Clinical Transplantation, 30, 1250-1257.

Quick, B., Reynolds-Tylus, T., Anker, A.E. & Feeley, T.H. (2016). Source and message framing considerations for recruiting mature adults as organ donors through direct mail campaigns. Progress in Transplantation, 26/4, 309-316.

Yang, Z. J. (2016). Altruism during Ebola: Risk perception, issue salience, cultural cognition, and information processing. Risk Analysis, 36(6), 1079-1089. doi:10.1111/risa.12526

Chen, Y. & Yang, Z. J. (2015). Message formats, numeracy, risk perceptions of alcohol-attributable cancer, and intentions for binge drinking among college students. Journal of Drug Education, 45(1), 37-55. doi: 10.1177/0047237915604062

Feeley, T.H., & Kruegler, J. (2015). Promoting organ donation through challenge campaigns. Progress in Transplantation, 25(2), 176-181.

Karras, E., Peek, D. M., & Rintamaki, L. S., (2015). Hearing doctor, Deaf pateint: A matter of time, pressure, and pain. In M. Brann (Ed.), Contemporary Issues in Health Communication: Theoretical and Practical Case Studies, second edition (pp. 113­128). New York: Kendall/Hunt.

Kosenko, K., Rintamaki, L., & Manness, K. (2015). Patient­centered communication: The experiences of transgender adults. In L. Spencer & J. Capuzza (Eds.), Transgender communication studies: Histories, trends, and trajectories, (pp. 224­251). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.

McCracken, B., Rintamaki, L. S., & Peek, D. M. (2015). Breaking bad news: The challenges and significance of the most delicate provider­patient communication. In M. Brann (Eds.), Contemporary Issues in Health Communication: Theoretical and Practical Case Studies, 2nd edition (pp. 35­46). New York: Kendall/Hunt.

Reynolds­Tylus, T., & Rintamaki, L. S., (2015). Strategic use of the Health Belief Model in crafting messages that promote condom use. In C. Noland (Ed.), Contemporary Studies of Sexuality and Communication, (pp. 389­404). New York: Kendall/Hunt.

Yang, Z. J. (2015). Predicting young adults’ intentions to get the H1N1 vaccine: An integrated model. Journal of Health Communication, 20(1), 69-79. doi:10.1080/10810730.2014.904023

Akey, J., Chiu, I., Shin, L., Kane, T., & Rintamaki, L. S. (2014). Optimizing social support efforts from friends and family of people coping with eating disorders. In M Eaves (Ed.), Applications in Health Communication: Emerging trends, (pp. 160­174). New York: Kendall/Hunt.

Akey, J., Rintamaki, L. S., & Kane, T. (2014). Optimal social supportive practices for healthcare professionals who treat patients managing eating disorders. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 145, 246­252. (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 1.682)

Chen, Y., & Feeley, T.H. (2014). Numeracy, information seeking, and self-efficacy in managing health: An analysis using the 2007 health information national trends survey (HINTS). Health Communication, 29, 843-853.

Feeley, T.H., Reynold-Tylus, T., Anker, A.E., & Evans, M. (2014). Reasons for (Not) Signing the State Registry: Surveying DMV Customers in New York State. Progress in Transplantation, 24, 56-68.

Khalil, G., & Rintamaki, L. S. (2014). A televised entertainment­education drama to promote positive discussion of organ donation. Health Education Research, 29, 284­296.

Rintamaki, L. & Yang, Z. J. (2014). Advancing the extended parallel process model through the inclusion of response cost measures. Journal of Health Communication, 19(7), 759-774. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2013.864722

Yang, Z. J., Ho, S. S., & May, O. L. (2014). Promoting preventive behaviors against influenza: Comparison between developing and developed countries. Asian Journal of Communication, 24(6), 567-588. doi: 10.1080/01292986.2014.927894

Akey, J., Rintamaki, L. S., & Kane, T. (2013). Application of the Health Belief Model to deterrents of social support seeking among people coping with eating disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders, 145, 246­252. (2010 ISI impact Factor: 3.74)

Allen Catellier, J. & Yang, Z. J. (2013). The role of affect in the decision to exercise: Does being happy lead to a more active lifestyle? Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 14(2), 275-282. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.11.006

Anker, A.E., Akey, J., & Feeley, T.H. (2013). Providing social support in a persuasive context: Forms of social support reported by Organ Procurement Coordinators. Health Communication, 26, 13-24.

Kosenko, K., Rintamaki, L. S., Raney, S., & Maness, K. (2013). Transgender Patient Perceptions of Stigma in Health Care Contexts. Medical care, 51(9), 819­822. (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 3.411)

Allen Catellier, J. & Yang, Z. J. (2012). Trust and affect: How do they impact risk information seeking in a health context? Journal of Risk Research, 15(8), 897-911. doi:10.1080/13669877.2012.686048

Anker, A.E., & Feeley, T.H. (2012). Estimating the Risks of Acquiring a Kidney Abroad: A Meta-Analysis of Complications Following Participation in Transplant Tourism. Clinical Transplantation, 26, E232-E241. DOI: 10.111/j.1399-0012.01629.x

Barbour, J. B., Rintamaki, L. S., Ramsey, J. A., & Brashers, D. E. (2012). Avoiding health information. Journal of Health Communication, 17, 212–229 (2010 ISI impact Factor: 1.5)

Karras, E., & Rintamaki, L. S. (2012). An examination of Internet use and access to health information by Deaf people. Health Communication, 27, 194­204 (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 1.314).

Morgan, S.E., & Feeley, T.H. (2012). Clarifications on mass media campaigns promoting organ donation: a response to Rady, McGregor, & Verheijde (2012). Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 15, 229-241.

Peltier, J.W., D’Alessandro, A.M., Dahl, A.J., & Feeley, T.H. (2012). A sequential decision framework for increasing college students’ support for organ donation and organ donor registration. Progress in Transplantation, 22, 323-332.

Peterson, J. L., Rintamaki, L. S., Brashers, D. E., Goldsmith, D. J., & Neidig, J. L. (2012). The forms and functions of peer social support for people living with HIV. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 23, 294­305 (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 1.163).

Stefanone, M., Anker, A.E., Evans, M., & Feeley, T.H. (2012). Click to “Like” Organ Donation: The Use of Online Media to Promote Organ Donor Registration. Progress in Transplantation, 22, 168-174.

Yang, Z. J. (2012). Too scared or too capable? Why do college students stay away from the H1N1 flu vaccine? Risk Analysis, 32(1), 1703-1716. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01799.x

Yang, Z. J., McComas, K. A., Gay, G., Leonard, J. P., Dannenberg, A. J., & Dillon, H. (2012). Comparing decision making between cancer patients and the general population: Thoughts, emotions, or social influence? Journal of Health Communication, 17(4), 477-494. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2011.635774

Anker, A. E., & Feeley, T.H. (2011). Asking the difficult questions: Message strategies utilized by Organ Procurement Coordinators in requesting familial consent to organ donation. Journal of Health Communication, 16, 643-659. DOI 10.1080/10810720.2011.551999.

Anker, A. E., & Feeley, T. H. (2011). Are Non-Participants in Prosocial Behavior Merely Innocent Bystanders? Health Communication, 26, 13-24.

Anker, A. E., & Feeley, T. H. (2011). Difficult communication: Compliance-gaining strategies of organ procurement coordinators. Journal of Health Communication, 16, 372-392.

Anker, A.E., Reinhart, A.M., & Feeley, T.H. (2011). Health information seeking: A review of measures and methods. Patient Education & Counseling, 82, 346-354. DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2010.12.008.

Moskowitz, D. A., Seal, D. W., Rintamaki, L., & Rieger, G. (2011). HIV in the leather community: Rates and risk­related behaviors. AIDS and Behavior, 15, 557­564 (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 3.195).

Feeley, T.H., Smith, R.A., Moon, S., & Anker, A.E. (2010). A journal-level analysis of Health Communication. Health Communication, 25, 516-521.

Feeley, T.H., Anker, A.E., Soriano, R., & Friedman, E. (2010). Using Standardized Patients to Train Medical Students about Organ Donation. Communication Education, 59, 249-262.

Kosenko, K., & Rintamaki, L. S. (2010). The forms, functions, and foibles of humor used in AIDS service organizations. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 21, 25­35 (2010 ISI Impact Factor: 1.163).

McComas, K. A., Yang, Z. J., Gay, G. K., Leonard, J. P., Dannenberg, A. J., & Dillon, H. (2010). Individuals’ willingness to talk to their doctors about clinical trial enrollment. Journal of Health Communication, 15(2), 189-204. doi: 10.1080/10810730903528058.

Rintamaki, L. S. (2010). HIV stigma in the context of medical encounters. In B. J. Reynolds (Ed.), Principles of Communication (pp. 1701­1714). Plymouth, MI: Hayden­McNeil.

Rintamaki, L. S., Peek, D. M., & Karras, E. (2010). Problematic interactions between physicians and Deaf patients. In M. Brann (Eds.), Contemporary Issues in Health Communication: Theoretical and Practical Case Studies (pp. 33­44). New York: Kendall/Hunt.

Vincent, D., Anker, A.E., & Feeley, T.H. (2010). Religion and the Decision to Donate Organs: Exploring the Potential Role of Religious Leaders. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. DOI 10.1002/casp.1076.

Yang, Z. J., McComas, K. A., Gay, G., Leonard, J. P., Dannenberg, A. J., & Dillon, H. (2010). Applying the theory of planned behavior to study health decisions related to potential risks. Journal of Risk Research, 13(8), 1007-1026. doi: 10.1080/13669877.2010.488743

Yang, Z. J., McComas, K. A., Gay, G., Leonard, J. P., Dannenberg, A. J., Dillon, H. (2010). Motivation for health information seeking and processing about clinical trial enrollment. Health Communication, 25(5), 423-436. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2010.483338

Yang, Z. J., McComas, K. A., Gay, G., Leonard, J. P., Dannenberg, A. J., & Dillon, H. (2010). From information processing to behavioral intentions: Exploring cancer patients’ motivations for clinical trial enrollment. Patient Education and Counseling, 79(2), 231-238. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2009.08.010