Last Updated: 4/26/2006

Research Interests
My practice and research-related interests focus on applied community-based interventions attempting to reduce individual and population-based risks for cancer and a variety of other chronic diseases. My studies often attempt to understand the dynamic interplay between individuals, organizations, communities and policies, particularly among underserved populations. Contextual influences on health are a primary interest. Presently, I have studies underway (or under review) that take place in a variety of community-based settings including worksites, public libraries, beauty salons, and churches. I am presently working with colleagues to develop several new measures to document contextual influences on health, including health-related norms, indicators of participatory involvement, social capital, and institutionalization/sustainability. Health behaviors of interest include: smoking, physical inactivity, sun exposure, stress, and diet (as single risk factors, and within a multiple risk factor context). Multiple level interventions that include community, organizational and individual targets are typically employed that include participatory research approaches, lay health advisors, targeted/tailored message development using phone, print and internet-based channels. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis are included in the majority of my work to appreciate all dimensions of the research question and intervention results. Both healthy populations, as well as cancer survivors and their families, are addressed in my present research efforts.

Publications
Lefebvre, R., Linnan, L., Sundaram, S., & Ronan, A. (1990). Counseling strategies for blood cholesterol screening programs: Recommendations for practice. Patient Education and Counseling, 16, 97-108.

Linnan, L., Gans, K., Longpre, H., Mendes, A., & Carleton, R. (1990). Training health professionals and volunteers to deliver high quality cholesterol screening and education programs. Public Health Reports, 105(6), 589-598

Emmons, K., Marcus, B., Linnan, L., Rossi, J., & Abrams, D. (1994). Mediating mechanisms in multiple risk factor interventions: The relationship between smoking, physical activity and nutrition behaviors among manufacturing workers. Preventive Medicine, 23, 481-489.

Emmons, K., Linnan, L., Abrams, D.B., & Lovell, J. (1996). Women who work in manufacturing settings: Factors influencing their participation in worksite health promotion programs. Women's Health Issues, 6(2),74-81.

Emmons, K., Shadel, W.G., Linnan, L., Marcus, B.M., & Abrams, D.B. (1999). A prospective analysis of change in multiple risk factors for cancer. Cancer Research, Therapy and Control, 8, 15-23.

Linnan, L., Fava, J., Thompson, B., Emmons, K., Basen-Engquist, K., Heimendinger, J., Probart, C., & Hunt, M.K. (1999). Measuring participatory strategies: Instrument development for worksite populations. Health Education Research, 14(3), 371-386

Emmons, K., Linnan, L., Shadel, W., Marcus, B., & Abrams, D. (1999). The Working Healthy Project: A worksite health promotion trial targeting physical activity, nutrition, and smoking. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 41(7), 545-555.

Biener L, Glanz K, McLerren D, Sorensen G, Thompson B, Basen-Engquist K, Linnan, L., & Varnes J. (1999). Impact of the Working Well Trial on the worksite environment. Health Ed & Behav. 26(4), 478-494.

Linnan, L. & Marcus B. (2001). Worksite-based physical activity programs and older adults: Current status, gaps in knowledge and practice, and priorities for the future. JAPA. S59-S70.

Sorensen, G., Stoddard, A., Emmons, K., Linnan, L., & Abrams, D. (in press). Social norms and pressures influencing smoking behaviors: Differences by occupation. American Journal of Health Promotion.

Linnan, L., Emmons, K., & Abrams, D. (in press). Beauty and the Beast: Results of the Rhode Island Smokefree Shop Initiative. American Journal of Public Health.

Linnan, L., Emmons, K., Klar, N., Fava, J., LaForge, R., & Abrams, D. (in press). Differences in reach, enrollment and attrition among employees recruited using ACTIVE vs PASSIVE methods into a home-based cancer prevention study. Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Linnan, L., Abrams, D., Papandonatos, G., & Emmons, K. (under review). Every Person Counts: Results of a randomized trial designed to increase employee participation in a comprehensive worksite health promotion program. American Journal of Health Promotion.

Linnan, L., Sorensen, G., Colditz, G., Klar, N., & Emmons, K.M. (in press). Using theory to understand the multiple determinants of low participation in worksite health promotion programs. Health Education and Behavior.

Linnan L, Kim A, Wasilewski Y, Lee A, Solomon F, Yang J (in press). Working with licensed cosmetologists to promote health: Results from the North Carolina BEAUTY and Health Pilot Study. Preventive Medicine.

E-mail: linnan@email.unc.edu
Telephone: (919) 843-8044
FAX: (919) 966-2921
Address: Rosenau Hall Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440

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