Mona N Fouad
Biographic Data
| ID | 280622 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mona N Fouad |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mona N |
| FAMILY NAME | Fouad |
| SIGNATURE | FOUAD M N |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3522-4835 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 25 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 22 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Factors Associated with Trust and Likelihood of Participation in Pandemic-Related Clinical Trials Among Blacks in the U.S. Deep South
Recruitment for clinical trials among Black populations in the U.S. Deep South is challenging due to general distrust of medical research. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this phenomenon at a time when distrust of the medical community was high. This study evaluated the likelihood of participation in a COVID-19 clinical trial among Black residents in urban and rural counties in the State of Alabama. From 3 counties, 296 participants were querie…
Overcoming Research Mistrust in African American Communities by Engaging Community Members as Research Team Members
Objectives: We aimed to understand factors surrounding COVID-19 testing in vulnerable urban and rural African American communities in Alabama, which are characterized by mistrust in medical research. Methods: To address widespread mistrust, we trained lay community members as research coordinators (Community Engagement Coordinators-CECs) and employed them for study recruitment and data collection. We then explored their experiences through group …
Partnering With Churches to Address Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake in Trustworthy Contexts
The Black church has long been seen as a crucial partner in addressing public health issues. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-engaged church intervention addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in underserved Black communities in Jefferson County, Alabama. We partnered with churches to implement and evaluate the intervention between March and June of 2022 and found that our church partners were cap…
The Pittman Scholar Program for junior faculty recognition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine established the Pittman Scholars Program in 2015 to elevate scientific impact and to support the recruitment and retention of highly competitive junior faculty. The authors examined the impact of this program on research productivity and on faculty retention. The authors evaluated publications and extramural grant awards and available demographic data for the Pittman Scholars com…
Returning to Growth
The University of Alabama at Birmingham academic medical center (UAB AMC) had achieved great success and growth during the 50 years since its founding. However, the challenging and more competitive environment of the 2000s left the UAB AMC on a downward trajectory. The UAB AMC had to overcome difficult internal cultural and structural barriers that stood in the way of the transformational change needed to remain competitive. Competition rather th…
The Association Between Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and Covid-19 Testing, Positivity, and Incidence in Alabama and Louisiana
Confronting Covid-19 in under-resourced, African American neighborhoods
Gaining community members' perspectives can identify barriers and facilitators to prevention, coping, and testing and potentially improve outcomes. While addressing the social determinants of health (e.g. income, education, medical trust) would be an effective path by which to diminish health disparities related to COVID-19, there is an urgent need to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations. Interventions should foc…
Using photovoice to explore social determinants of obesity in two underserved communities in the southeast
Over the past 25 years, the adult obesity rate in the U.S. has increased 70%, with obesity placing a disproportionate chronic disease burden on African Americans. Using Photovoice methodology, this study aimed to: (1) explore the social determinants contributing to obesity from the perspectives of residents of two low-income municipalities in Birmingham, Alabama with varying levels of segregation, (2) better understand residents' perceptions of c…
Determinants of Obesity in Two Urban Communities
Interventions addressing the immediate food and physical activity environment - restaurants, grocery stores, and resources for physical activity - may have high likelihood of success as they align with community needs and understanding of priorities. Health education and promotion programs that increase food-related knowledge and skills are also needed and likely to receive strong community support
An Exploration of Multilevel Physical Activity Correlates Among Low-Income African Americans in Alabama and Mississippi
Understanding obesity-related health disparities among low-income African Americans in the south requires further research investigating the range of factors influencing health behaviors. This study sought to examine the relationship between meeting the minimum recommendation for moderate physical activity and multilevel, including policy, systems, and environmental, strategies thought to influence health behaviors. We utilize preintervention com…
Empowering One Community at a Time for Policy, System and Environmental Changes to Impact Obesity
ArCOP successfully engaged mayors, elected officials, and stakeholders who can influence policy across Arkansas as well as in an additional five states in the Mid-South TCC region to implement obesity PSE prevention strategies
Policy, System and Environmental Correlates of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in a Low-Income African American Population in the Southeast
These findings suggest that policy-based interventions have the potential to improve health outcomes among priority populations, such as low-income African Americans, who are at high risk of developing chronic diseases
Bikeshare Use in Urban Communities
Higher neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with higher bikeshare use. Bikeshare is a viable transportation option in low-resource neighborhoods and may be an effective tool to improve the connectivity, livability, and health of urban communities
Examining Neighborhood Social Cohesion in the Context of Community-based Participatory Research
The Mid-South TCC Academic and Community Engagement (ACE) Core successfully partnered with community members and stakeholders to establish a coalition whose concerns and vision for the community matched the concerns of residents of the community. Collecting data from different groups strengthened the interpretation of the findings and allowed for a rich understanding of neighborhood concerns
Disparities in chronic medical conditions in the Mid-South
Disparities in CMCs are associated with income and disproportionately affect the black population. In the Mid-South, race and gender disparities in the top five chronic conditions are more prominent among higher-income rather than lower-income individuals
Shifting Community-Based Participatory Infrastructure from Education/Outreach to Research
Although multiple challenges were encountered in conducting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) controlled trial, solutions were developed and the trial continues as proposed
Using Community-Based Participatory Approaches to Mobilize Communities for Policy Change
The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition used community-based participatory research principles to address breast and cervical cancer disparities among Alabama's most vulnerable African American communities. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition implemented a multilevel action plan, which entailed dissemina…
Developing a Community Action Plan to Eliminate Cancer Disparities
A community-academic partnership must involve trust, respect, and an appreciation of partners' strengths and differences. The DSN applied these guiding principles and learned pivotal lessons
Targeted Intervention Strategies to Increase and Maintain Mammography Utilization Among African American Women
Objectives. We assessed the impact of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention designed to increase mammography screening among African American women in 8 underserved counties in Alabama. Methods. Using principles derived from the Stages of Change, Community Health Advisor, and Community Empowerment models, we developed strategies to increase mammography screening. Trained volunteers (N = 143) provided tailored messages to encourage adop…
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behaviors
Assessment of social influence on health behavior is often approached through a situational context. The current study adapted an existing, theory-based instrument from another content domain to assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behavior (PSI-HB) among African Americans, using an individual difference approach. The adapted instrument was found to have high internal reliability (α = .81-.84) and acceptable testretest reliability ( r = .6…
Development and Validation of Instruments to Assess Potential Religion-Health Mechanisms in an African American Population
The health disparities that negatively affect African Americans are well-documented; however, there are also many sociocultural factors that may play a protective role in health outcomes. Religious involvement is noted to be important in the African American community and to have a positive association with health outcomes. However, few studies have explained why this relationship exists. This article reports on the development and validation of …
The Deep South Network for Cancer Control
African Americans have a substantially increased mortality rate compared to Whites in many cancers, including breast and cervix. The Deep South Network for Cancer Control (the Network) was established to develop sustainable community infrastructure to promote cancer awareness, enhance participation of African Americans and other special populations in clinical trials, recruit and train minority investigators, and develop and test innovative commu…
Confronting Covid-19 in under-resourced, African American neighborhoods
Gaining community members' perspectives can identify barriers and facilitators to prevention, coping, and testing and potentially improve outcomes. While addressing the social determinants of health (e.g. income, education, medical trust) would be an effective path by which to diminish health disparities related to COVID-19, there is an urgent need to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations. Interventions should foc…
Development and Validation of Instruments to Assess Potential Religion-Health Mechanisms in an African American Population
The health disparities that negatively affect African Americans are well-documented; however, there are also many sociocultural factors that may play a protective role in health outcomes. Religious involvement is noted to be important in the African American community and to have a positive association with health outcomes. However, few studies have explained why this relationship exists. This article reports on the development and validation of …
Using photovoice to explore social determinants of obesity in two underserved communities in the southeast
Over the past 25 years, the adult obesity rate in the U.S. has increased 70%, with obesity placing a disproportionate chronic disease burden on African Americans. Using Photovoice methodology, this study aimed to: (1) explore the social determinants contributing to obesity from the perspectives of residents of two low-income municipalities in Birmingham, Alabama with varying levels of segregation, (2) better understand residents' perceptions of c…
Disparities in chronic medical conditions in the Mid-South
Disparities in CMCs are associated with income and disproportionately affect the black population. In the Mid-South, race and gender disparities in the top five chronic conditions are more prominent among higher-income rather than lower-income individuals
Developing a Community Action Plan to Eliminate Cancer Disparities
A community-academic partnership must involve trust, respect, and an appreciation of partners' strengths and differences. The DSN applied these guiding principles and learned pivotal lessons
Targeted Intervention Strategies to Increase and Maintain Mammography Utilization Among African American Women
Objectives. We assessed the impact of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention designed to increase mammography screening among African American women in 8 underserved counties in Alabama. Methods. Using principles derived from the Stages of Change, Community Health Advisor, and Community Empowerment models, we developed strategies to increase mammography screening. Trained volunteers (N = 143) provided tailored messages to encourage adop…
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behaviors
Assessment of social influence on health behavior is often approached through a situational context. The current study adapted an existing, theory-based instrument from another content domain to assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behavior (PSI-HB) among African Americans, using an individual difference approach. The adapted instrument was found to have high internal reliability (α = .81-.84) and acceptable testretest reliability ( r = .6…
The Deep South Network for Cancer Control
African Americans have a substantially increased mortality rate compared to Whites in many cancers, including breast and cervix. The Deep South Network for Cancer Control (the Network) was established to develop sustainable community infrastructure to promote cancer awareness, enhance participation of African Americans and other special populations in clinical trials, recruit and train minority investigators, and develop and test innovative commu…
Development and Validation of Instruments to Assess Potential Religion-Health Mechanisms in an African American Population
The health disparities that negatively affect African Americans are well-documented; however, there are also many sociocultural factors that may play a protective role in health outcomes. Religious involvement is noted to be important in the African American community and to have a positive association with health outcomes. However, few studies have explained why this relationship exists. This article reports on the development and validation of …
Targeted Intervention Strategies to Increase and Maintain Mammography Utilization Among African American Women
Objectives. We assessed the impact of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention designed to increase mammography screening among African American women in 8 underserved counties in Alabama. Methods. Using principles derived from the Stages of Change, Community Health Advisor, and Community Empowerment models, we developed strategies to increase mammography screening. Trained volunteers (N = 143) provided tailored messages to encourage adop…
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behaviors
Assessment of social influence on health behavior is often approached through a situational context. The current study adapted an existing, theory-based instrument from another content domain to assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behavior (PSI-HB) among African Americans, using an individual difference approach. The adapted instrument was found to have high internal reliability (α = .81-.84) and acceptable testretest reliability ( r = .6…
Using Community-Based Participatory Approaches to Mobilize Communities for Policy Change
The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition used community-based participatory research principles to address breast and cervical cancer disparities among Alabama's most vulnerable African American communities. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition implemented a multilevel action plan, which entailed dissemina…
Developing a Community Action Plan to Eliminate Cancer Disparities
A community-academic partnership must involve trust, respect, and an appreciation of partners' strengths and differences. The DSN applied these guiding principles and learned pivotal lessons
Shifting Community-Based Participatory Infrastructure from Education/Outreach to Research
Although multiple challenges were encountered in conducting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) controlled trial, solutions were developed and the trial continues as proposed
Disparities in chronic medical conditions in the Mid-South
Disparities in CMCs are associated with income and disproportionately affect the black population. In the Mid-South, race and gender disparities in the top five chronic conditions are more prominent among higher-income rather than lower-income individuals
Empowering One Community at a Time for Policy, System and Environmental Changes to Impact Obesity
ArCOP successfully engaged mayors, elected officials, and stakeholders who can influence policy across Arkansas as well as in an additional five states in the Mid-South TCC region to implement obesity PSE prevention strategies
Policy, System and Environmental Correlates of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in a Low-Income African American Population in the Southeast
These findings suggest that policy-based interventions have the potential to improve health outcomes among priority populations, such as low-income African Americans, who are at high risk of developing chronic diseases
Bikeshare Use in Urban Communities
Higher neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with higher bikeshare use. Bikeshare is a viable transportation option in low-resource neighborhoods and may be an effective tool to improve the connectivity, livability, and health of urban communities
Examining Neighborhood Social Cohesion in the Context of Community-based Participatory Research
The Mid-South TCC Academic and Community Engagement (ACE) Core successfully partnered with community members and stakeholders to establish a coalition whose concerns and vision for the community matched the concerns of residents of the community. Collecting data from different groups strengthened the interpretation of the findings and allowed for a rich understanding of neighborhood concerns
Determinants of Obesity in Two Urban Communities
Interventions addressing the immediate food and physical activity environment - restaurants, grocery stores, and resources for physical activity - may have high likelihood of success as they align with community needs and understanding of priorities. Health education and promotion programs that increase food-related knowledge and skills are also needed and likely to receive strong community support
An Exploration of Multilevel Physical Activity Correlates Among Low-Income African Americans in Alabama and Mississippi
Understanding obesity-related health disparities among low-income African Americans in the south requires further research investigating the range of factors influencing health behaviors. This study sought to examine the relationship between meeting the minimum recommendation for moderate physical activity and multilevel, including policy, systems, and environmental, strategies thought to influence health behaviors. We utilize preintervention com…
Using photovoice to explore social determinants of obesity in two underserved communities in the southeast
Over the past 25 years, the adult obesity rate in the U.S. has increased 70%, with obesity placing a disproportionate chronic disease burden on African Americans. Using Photovoice methodology, this study aimed to: (1) explore the social determinants contributing to obesity from the perspectives of residents of two low-income municipalities in Birmingham, Alabama with varying levels of segregation, (2) better understand residents' perceptions of c…
Returning to Growth
The University of Alabama at Birmingham academic medical center (UAB AMC) had achieved great success and growth during the 50 years since its founding. However, the challenging and more competitive environment of the 2000s left the UAB AMC on a downward trajectory. The UAB AMC had to overcome difficult internal cultural and structural barriers that stood in the way of the transformational change needed to remain competitive. Competition rather th…
The Association Between Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and Covid-19 Testing, Positivity, and Incidence in Alabama and Louisiana
Confronting Covid-19 in under-resourced, African American neighborhoods
Gaining community members' perspectives can identify barriers and facilitators to prevention, coping, and testing and potentially improve outcomes. While addressing the social determinants of health (e.g. income, education, medical trust) would be an effective path by which to diminish health disparities related to COVID-19, there is an urgent need to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations. Interventions should foc…
The Pittman Scholar Program for junior faculty recognition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine established the Pittman Scholars Program in 2015 to elevate scientific impact and to support the recruitment and retention of highly competitive junior faculty. The authors examined the impact of this program on research productivity and on faculty retention. The authors evaluated publications and extramural grant awards and available demographic data for the Pittman Scholars com…
Overcoming Research Mistrust in African American Communities by Engaging Community Members as Research Team Members
Objectives: We aimed to understand factors surrounding COVID-19 testing in vulnerable urban and rural African American communities in Alabama, which are characterized by mistrust in medical research. Methods: To address widespread mistrust, we trained lay community members as research coordinators (Community Engagement Coordinators-CECs) and employed them for study recruitment and data collection. We then explored their experiences through group …
Partnering With Churches to Address Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake in Trustworthy Contexts
The Black church has long been seen as a crucial partner in addressing public health issues. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-engaged church intervention addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in underserved Black communities in Jefferson County, Alabama. We partnered with churches to implement and evaluate the intervention between March and June of 2022 and found that our church partners were cap…
Factors Associated with Trust and Likelihood of Participation in Pandemic-Related Clinical Trials Among Blacks in the U.S. Deep South
Recruitment for clinical trials among Black populations in the U.S. Deep South is challenging due to general distrust of medical research. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this phenomenon at a time when distrust of the medical community was high. This study evaluated the likelihood of participation in a COVID-19 clinical trial among Black residents in urban and rural counties in the State of Alabama. From 3 counties, 296 participants were querie…
Medicine (17 works) · Psychology (14 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Gerontology (11 works) · Environmental health (9 works) · Political science (9 works) · Community Health and Development (8 works) · Health Policy Implementation Science (8 works) · Health equity (7 works) · Public health (7 works)