Sun Protective Behaviors among Latino Day Laborers (Contact: Javier Boyas; email: jfboyas@uga.edu)
Skin cancer is by far the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. However, we know very little about the sun protective behaviors among Latino day laborers. Our latest studies speak to the need to understand sun screening use among this population as well as the importance of interventions to decrease their risk of skin cancer. To learn more about this work:
Boyas, J.F., & Nahar, V.K. (2018). Predictors of sun protective behaviors among Latino day laborers. Journal of Skin Cancer,1-11. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3454309
Boyas, J.F., Valera, P., & Ruiz, E. (2018). Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of social networks, religiosity, and smoking behaviors. Health Promotion Perspectives, 8, 46-53. Retrieved from: doi:10.15171/hpp.2018.06.
Mental Health, Social Support, and Community Reintegration among Formerly Incarcerated Men (Contact: Pamela Valera; email: pv181@sph.rutgers.edu; Javier Boyas; email: jfboyas@uga.edu)
It has been well established that mental health problems disproportionately burden a significant number of individuals who are incarcerated. The literature suggests that one way of offsetting the deleterious effects of prison life among inmates is to build and use available social support resources before incarceration and during community reintegration. Our studies have investigated different forms of support that could significantly improve mental health outcomes among formerly incarcerated men of color in New York City. To learn more about how to use social support in mitigating recidivism and reducing poor health, please read some of our findings and solutions:
Valera, P., & Boyas, J. (2019). Perceived social ties and mental health among formerly incarcerated men in New York City. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X19832239
Valera. P., Bachman, L., Wilson, W., & Reid, A. (2017). “It’s hard to reenter when you’ve been locked out”: Keys to successful offender reintegration. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 56, 412-431.
Valera, P., Chang, Y., Hernández, D., & Cooper, J. (2015). Exploring kinship and social support in women with criminal justice backgrounds. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 54, 278-295.
Using Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening (Contact: Luis Alzate-Duque; email: alzatelf@njms.rutgers.edu)
Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In this program, we use an ecological model to help Newark residents complete colorectal screening through fecal immunochemical testing (FIT). We provide education and motivational interviewing to address barriers and concerns about screening.