Diane Francis

Bio

As a health communication researcher, I conduct applied and theoretical research at the intersections of communication, race and health. More broadly, my work focuses on advancing knowledge of the role of communication in promoting healthy behaviors and advancing health equity for Black populations. My program of research examines how mass media campaigns, strategic health messages, news coverage, and social media shape health behaviors. My research activities have included the design and testing of theory-based culturally appropriate messages and communication strategies for the prevention of communicable and chronic diseases in minority and low-income populations. In another line of work, my colleagues and I have used systematic reviews and meta analyses to evaluate the impact of graphic warning labels for cigarettes on smoking outcomes. In recent studies, I have explored how exposure to health messages communicated through mass and social media such as celebrity health announcements motivate interpersonal communication and information seeking among young Black men and women. I am currently a fellow with the Obesity Health Disparities PRIDE Program funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.