Open Access Week 2025
International Open Access Week is observed annually in order to highlight the benefits of free and immediate access to scholarly research worldwide. Open access allows research scholarship to have wide-reaching effects, and grants colleagues the ability to freely share and use research. This year’s theme is “Who Owns Our Knowledge?” – an opportunity to consider who can access and utilize research and also how it is shared.
Below is a roundup of some of our open access publications from this year:
October 2025
A Pilot Study: Adaptation Phase of the PROMIS Women Education Program—Promoting Cervical Cancer Prevention Methods Among Muslim Women in Virginia
SBS Researchers: Asmaa Namoos, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (alum), Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Cancer Medicine
“Despite advancements in healthcare, disparities in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment among minority populations in the U.S. remain a pressing concern…. Despite the availability of services from providers…there remain gaps in care, particularly for socially conservative groups like Muslim women, who often lack access to culturally sensitive care. While there have been numerous initiatives tailored to Muslim communities in the U.S. for breast cancer screening, similar efforts are noticeably absent in cervical cancer prevention.”
Physical and Psychological Burdens Among Breast Cancer Survivors: Evaluating Post-Treatment Gait Impairment, Falls, and Depression Using Real-World Data
SBS Researchers: Asmaa Namoos, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (alum), Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: European Journal of Cancer Care
“Breast cancer survivors face a dual burden of physical and psychological challenges, which may persist long after treatment. This study aims to evaluate the physical impairments and psychological outcomes among breast cancer survivors compared to individuals without breast cancer.”
Contextual Factors Affecting Implementation of Medicaid Billing for Community-based Pharmacist Services in Virginia: A Qualitative Study
SBS Researchers: Sadia Shah, M.P.H., M.B.B.S., Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
“In 2023, Virginia mandated Medicaid payment for services provided by pharmacists under statewide protocols. Despite this legislative action, pharmacist registration as Medicaid providers remains limited, delaying access to expanded patient care services.”
Disparities in Dental Visits Among Participants of the Virginia Living Well Registry
SBS Researchers: April Williams, Ph.D. (alum), Maria Thomson, Ph.D., Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
“Good oral health is integral to maintaining overall health. Yet little is known about the breadth of factors that affect dental visits. The objective of this study was to test for associations between reported dental visits and factors that may be related to dental visits: predisposing (demographics, educational attainment, marital status, employment and smoking status); enabling (income, insurance status, rurality, primary care and dental healthcare provider shortage areas (D-HPSA)) and need (overall health status and emotional wellbeing).”
Potential Protective Effect of Statins Against High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HSIL) in Women with Metabolic Comorbidities
SBS Researchers: Katherine Tossas, Ph.D.
Journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
“While HPV vaccination and Pap screening have advanced cervical cancer (CCa) prevention, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) remain common, particularly among individuals with metabolic comorbidities like diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Statins, commonly used for lipid control, possess anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties that may offer protective effects against cervical dysplasia. We explored the association between statin use and lesion grade in a population of dysplasia patients, and whether effects vary by comorbidity and race.”
Examining sociodemographic and health-related characteristics as moderators of an mHealth intervention on physical activity outcomes in young adult cancer survivors
SBS Researchers: Jessica G LaRose, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
“This study explored whether sociodemographic and health-related characteristics moderated mHealth PA intervention effects on total and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at 6 months, relative to a self-help condition among young adult cancer survivors (YACS).”
“If I Start [Primary Prevention] Now, I Can Prevent [Cancer]”: College Students Endorse Cancer Prevention Education
SBS Researchers: Jacqueline Knight Wilt, Ph.D. (alum), Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Cancer Education
“Early onset colorectal cancer has been linked to lifestyle-related risk factors. Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) has the greatest changes to lifestyle health behaviors with implications for health outcomes. College students have moderate consideration of future cancer risk (CFC-CA) when navigating current health behavior choices. This study explored cancer prevention knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions in a subset of students with low, medium and high CFC-CA.”
September 2025
Rationale and protocol for an observational study of in vivo stress experiences and real-time cardiovascular responses among young, black women: The DYNAMIC study
SBS Researchers: Jessica G LaRose, Ph.D.
Journal: PLOS One
“Chronic stress is thought to contribute to racial disparities in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among women. Intervention development has been stalled by complex issues regarding stress measurement as well as the correlation of varying stress experiences with proximal cardiac responses in naturalistic environments. The Designing Young Adult Interventions to Address and Mitigate Inequities in Cardiovascular Health (DYNAMIC) Study is an observational study of the stress experiences of young Black women reported in vivo and within naturalistic context. “
July 2025
Staying Safe for the Long Haul: A Health Belief Model Analysis of COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors Through the Lens of Long COVID
SBS Researchers: Jeanine Guidry, Ph.D. (alum), Kellie Carlyle, Ph.D.
Journal: Clinical Nursing Research
“Health problems associated with post-acute COVID-19, also known as “Long COVID,” range from mild to severe. The best defense against this potentially serious condition is to prevent COVID-19 infection and reinfection. The same preventive measures for COVID-19 may be used to help prevent the spread of Long COVID. This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to examine whether and how public understanding and awareness of Long COVID and its prevention shape the adoption of COVID-19 preventive behaviors.”
An Exploratory Retrospective Analysis of Racial Disparities in Fall-Related Injuries Among Black and White Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Chemotherapy
SBS Researchers: Asmaa Namoos, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (alum), Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
“This exploratory retrospective analysis examined racial disparities in fall-related injuries among Black and White breast cancer survivors who received chemotherapy, focusing on the risks associated with specific chemotherapy regimens.”
June 2025
Examining factors associated with experiencing cardiac arrhythmias in Black and White breast cancer survivors who received anthracyclines or trastuzumab
SBS Researchers: Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
“Racial disparities exist regarding cardiovascular (CV) toxicities following breast cancer treatment; however, studies on racial differences in cardiac arrhythmias are lacking. This study examined associations between demographic and clinical factors and arrhythmia diagnosis in Black and White breast cancer survivors.”
May 2025
Prevalence of substance use and knowledge of its effects among secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria
SBS Researchers: Tolulope Kolawole, Alexander Lucas, Ph.D.
Journal: South African Journal of Psychiatry
“World Health Organization defines substance use as harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. There is an increased rate of substance use among youths and adolescents. Substance use significantly increases the risk for mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance use and knowledge of its effects among secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria.”
The GINA Gap – Implications for Access to Personalized Medicine among Native Americans
SBS Researchers: Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
“Recent advances in genomic science have facilitated the implementation of personalized medicine, with promises of more effective treatments and better outcomes for various conditions….But not all populations in the United States have had an equal opportunity to benefit from personalized medicine. One important limitation has been that Native Americans who receive care from the Indian Health Service (IHS) aren’t covered by the federal law that bans discrimination based on genetic makeup.”
Tobacco Susceptibility and Use Among Rural Adolescents: The Role of Tobacco Marketing Exposure and Screen Media Use
SBS Researchers: Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D.
Journal: Nicotine & Tobacco Research
“Tobacco marketing has been found to increase pro-tobacco attitudes and susceptibilities; yet its impact on rural adolescents lacks research. We aim to examine the association between tobacco marketing exposure, screen use, and susceptibility and use of tobacco among a rural youth sample.”
April 2025
Patient-provider relationships and long COVID: A cross-sectional survey about impact on quality of life
SBS Researchers: Jeanine Guidry, Ph.D. (alum), Kellie Carlyle, Ph.D.
Journal: Disability and Health Journal
“In the United States (U.S.), it is estimated that 17.6 % of adults have experienced Long COVID, a condition where symptoms newly develop and linger after initial COVID-19 infection. Long COVID is associated with significantly reduced quality of life (QoL), and patient-provider relationships have been shown to influence QoL for patients in general. The objective for this study was to better understand the role of patient-provider relationships in shaping QoL among U.S. adults with Long COVID.”
March 2025
Remedying Black cancer disparities with clinical research prioritization
SBS Researchers: Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Cancer
“People of African ancestry are overrepresented among lives lost prematurely and persons unnecessarily afflicted with the highest burden of cancer among nonindigenous Americans. Amid the growing advancements in cancer discoveries and innovations, the persistence of cancer disparities affecting Black/African American populations is particularly disturbing and disappointing. Ashing and colleagues in the Alliance of Black Community Outreach and Engagement Scientific Directors of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers discuss the excessive cancer burden in Black populations and propose a Cancer Moonshot-focused framework.”
The lived experiences and unmet needs of prostate and colorectal male cancer survivors in rural Virginia: A qualitative study
SBS Researchers: Fariha Tariq, M.P.H., M.B.B.S., Alexander Lucas, Ph.D., Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Rural Health
“The goal of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding about the lived experiences and unmet needs of rural male cancer survivors. Focus groups were conducted with male survivors of prostate (N = 14) and colorectal cancers (N = 10), from rural Virginia. Demographic and clinical information were collected via surveys. A focus group guide contained questions about needs, lifestyles, and social networks of rural male cancer survivors.”
Associations between parent and adolescent weight outcomes within two parent approaches to family-based adolescent obesity treatment: Secondary analyses from the TEENS+ pilot trial
SBS Researchers: Kristina Tatum, Ph.D., Jessica G LaRose, Ph.D.
Journal: Pediatric Obesity
The goal of this study was “to examine associations between parent and adolescent weight change within two parent approaches to adolescent obesity treatment.”
February 2025
Major adverse cardiovascular events among Black and White Veterans receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a retrospective cohort study
SBS Researchers: Alexander Lucas, Ph.D., Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Cardiooncology
“Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the cornerstone treatment strategy for men diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer (PC) but may increase risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We examined whether men treated with ADT and radiation therapy (ADT + RT) developed MACE at a higher rate than men receiving RT alone. Secondly, we sought to determine if Black men receiving RT + ADT developed MACE at a higher rate than White men.”
Economic costs of family caregiving for persons with advanced stage cancer: a longitudinal cohort study
SBS Researchers: Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
“A multi-site cohort study collected prospective longitudinal data from caregivers of patients with advanced solid tumor cancers. Caregiver survey and out-of-pocket (OOP) receipt data were collected biweekly in-person for up to 24 weeks. Economic cost measures attributed to caregiving were as follows: amount of OOP costs, debt accrual, perceived economic situation, and working for pay.”
January 2025
Leveraging artificial intelligence-mediated communication for cancer prevention and control and drug addiction: A systematic review
SBS Researchers: Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D., Viktor Clark, Ph.D. (alum), Vanessa B Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: Translational Behavioral Medicine
“Eight databases were searched from 2017 to 2022 using the Population Intervention Control Outcome Study (PICOS) framework. We synthesized findings of AIMC-based interventions for adult populations in cancer prevention/control or substance use, applying SIGN Methodology Checklist 2 for quality assessments and reviewing retention and engagement.”
Emerging Adults’ Consideration of their Future General and Colorectal-Specific Cancer Risk
SBS Researchers: Jackie Knight Wilt, Ph.D., Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: Cancer Control
“Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a lengthy cellular mutation period and early onset (EOCRC) is linked to lifestyle-related factors. Primary prevention approaches earlier in the life course are needed.”
Cancer Caregiver Anxiety Over Time: The Influence of Palliative Care
SBS Researchers: Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Palliative Care
The objective of this study was “to explore anxiety experienced by caregivers providing home-based, end-of-life care to patients with cancer. We examined the relationship between caregiver anxiety and receipt of palliative care by the patient.”
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