Gary L. Kreps

Gary L. Kreps

Gary L. Kreps

Distinguished University Professor, Director; Center for Health and Risk Communication

Health communication/promotion, health equity, multicultural relations, social organization, applied research methods, health informatics, communication campaigns, global health, and social change

I am beginning my 20th year on the faculty at George Mason University, where I currently serve as a Distinguished University Professor of Communication and Founding Director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication. I teach courses concerning Communication Research, Health Communication, Risk Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Consumer-Provider Health Communication, Health Communication Campaigns, and Digital Communication.

Prior to joining the faculty at Mason, I had the pleasure of serving as the Founding Chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NIH), where I planned, developed, and coordinated major new national research and outreach initiatives concerning risk communication, health promotion, behavior change, technology development, and information dissemination to promote effective cancer prevention, screening, control, care, and survivorship. I also served as the Founding Dean of the School of Communication at Hofstra University, Executive Director of the Greenspun School of Communication at UNLV, and in faculty and administrative roles at Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana, and Purdue Universities.

My active research program has been funded by many federal agencies, foundations, and organizations, and examines the influences of strategic evidence-based communication programs and practices on reducing health risks and enhancing health outcomes, with a focus on promoting health equity in society. I am an expert in community-based participatory research, health information dissemination, and the effective design and use of health information technologies. My frequently cited publications are reported in more than 580 books, articles, and chapters. I've served on many federal advisory boards, including the national FDA Risk Communication Advisory Committee, the CDC National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media Advisory Board, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program Scientific Advisory Board, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Systems for Action: Systems and Services to Build a Culture of Health Expert Review Panel. I currently serve as a scientific adviser to the NIH, CDC, VA, HRSA, WHO, and many other international health agencies, research firms, and foundations.

I've received a number of major research honors, including the Research Laureate Award from the American Academy of Health Behavior, the Outstanding Health Communication Scholar Award from both the International Communication Association and the National Communication Association (NCA), the Dale Brashers Mentorship Award from the NCA, the Gary Gumpert Urban Communication Research Award from the Urban Communication Foundation, the Health Communication Centennial Scholar Award from the Eastern Communication Association, the Pfizer Professorship in Clear Health Communication, the Lewis Donahue Outstanding Health Communication Scholar Award from the University of Kentucky, the Future of Health Technology Award, the Distinguished Achievement Award in Consumer Health Informatics and Online Health, and the Gerald M. Phillips Distinguished Applied Communication Scholar Award from the NCA.  I've been selected as a Fellow of the International Communication Association, Fellow of the American Academy for Health Behavior, as well as a Distinguished Scholar of the National Communication Association.

For more detailed information about my career, research interests, publications, and accomplishments, please view my attached CV.

Current Research

Developing and advising a cross-national research network of countries conducting the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS): The INSIGHTS (International Studies to Investigate Global Health Information Trends) Research Program:

  • USA, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NIH)
  • China, funded by the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Chinese Food and Drug Administration
  • Germany, funded by the Stiftung Gesundheitswissen (German Health Information Foundation)
  • Japan, funded by the National Cancer Center of Japan
  • Switzerland, funded by the University of Lugano Center for Health Communication
  • The Netherlands, funded by the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam School for Communication Research
  • Israel, funded by the Gertner Institute Division of Health and Society
  • South Africa, funded by the Health Communication Research Unit, University of Witwaterstrand
  • Chile, funded by the Department of Public Health, Government of Chile
  • Malta, funded by the University of Malta
  • Hong Kong, funded by the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Singapore, funded by the Public Health Department, Government of Singapore
  • New INSIGHTS research sites are under development in Greece, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Peru, South Korea, New Zealand, and Kenya. 

Developing and implementing a large multi-year community-based participative transdisciplinary national intervention research program testing the use of online communication tools delivered via social media platforms to identify and reduce suicide risks for transgender teens, Preventing Suicide Attempts in Transgender Teens. The research team is working in close collaboration with transgender teens, parents, health care providers, and advocates to design, implement, deliver, and evaluate this intervention. I am leading the design and implementation of the interactive multi-tool online educational and social support intervention programs. The research team is seeking funding for this research program from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Conducting an analysis of Spanish-language risk and health communication operations during hurricanes Fiona and Ian.  Research grant funded by the Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Institute of Behavioral Science, supported by the National Science Foundation and the CDC

Conducting a program of studies investigating the influences of health literacy on access to and used of relevant health information by members of at-risk populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Influences of Health Literacy on Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am serving as both a mentor and collaborator on these studies with two early-career public health faculty members as part of the American Academy of Health Behavior research mentor program.

Established and co-direct the Global Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA) research and intervention program to examine the health communication and information needs of health advocacy organization leaders and to develop evidence-based training programs for advocates around the globe (2014-present).

Advising the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax community-based collaborative to evaluate health needs among vulnerable populations in Fairfax County, Virginia and to develop evidence-based programs and policies to promote healthy behaviors, tobacco and substance abuse control, good nutrition, and the reduction of health risks (2017-present).

Selected Publications

Kreps, G.L.  (2023).  Addressing resistance to adopting health promotion recommendations with the use of strategic health communication.  Information Services and Use, 43(2) DOI 10.3233/ISU-230187

Kreps, G.L.  (2023). The central role of relevant health information for promoting cancer prevention and control.  Medical Research Archives (European Society of Medicine), [S.l.], v. 11(2), ISSN 2375-1924. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i2.3615 

Alemi, F., Carmack, S., Gustafson, D.H., Jacobson, J., Kreps, G.L., Nambisan, P., Ramezani, N., Simons, J., & Xiao, Y.  (2023).  Support for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), with caution. Quality Management in Health Care, DOI: 10.1097/QMH.0000000000000424 

Subervi-Vélez, F., Fábregas-Troche, S. M., Modestti-González, M., Kreps, G. L., & *García-Cosavalente, H. P. (2023). Risk and health communication during hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and hurricane Ian in Florida. Natural Hazards Center Public Health Report Series, 29. University of Colorado Boulder. https://hazards.colorado.edu/public-health-disaster-research/risk-and-health-communication-during-hurricane-fiona-in-puerto-rico-and-hurricane-ian-in-florida

Acharya, D., Raikhola, P.S., Subedi, K.J., Devkota, B., Bhattarai, R., Pathak, K.P., Kreps, G.L., & Ghimire, R, (2023).  Qualitative evaluation of the Health Insurance Program in Nepal:  Expectations beyond limitations.  World Medical and Health Policy, https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.576

Mitsutake, S., Takahashi, Y., Otsuki, A., Umezawa, J., Yaguchi-Saito, A., Saito, J., ... & INFORM Study Group (I am a listed member of this group of co-authors). (2023). Chronic diseases and sociodemographic characteristics associated with online health information seeking and using social networking sites: Nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Japan. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e44741. https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e44741/

Bagale, K.B., Adhikari, R., Acharya, D., & Kreps, G.L.  (2023).  Implications from the Health Belief Model concerning zoonoses related threat perceptions held by livestock farmers in Nepal. World Medical and Health Policy, DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.563 https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.563  

Acharya, D., Adhikari, R., Kreps, G. L., Wagle, B. P., & Sharma, S. (2023). An association between mosquito nets and wealth status: Public health promotion planning and intervention. Prithvi Academic Journal, 6(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.3126/paj.v6i1.54613 

Chen, X., McMaughan, D.J., *Li, M., Kreps, G.L., Ariati, J., Ho, H. Rhoads, K.E., Mahaffey, C., & Miller. B.M.  (2023).  Trust in and use of COVID-19 information sources differed by health literacy among college students. Healthcare, 11(6), 831, https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060831 

Li, M., Yang, B-K, Yu,Z, Chen, X., Kreps, G.L., & Kansangra, R.  (2023).  Exploring factors associated with Chinese Americans’ willingness to receive an additional hypothetical annual dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Vaccines, 11(1), 185.  https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010185 

McKeown, L., Hong, Y.A., Kreps, G.L., & Xue, H.  (2023).  Trends in Patient-Centered Communication Among Adults in the US:  A Health Disparities Perspective, Patient Education and Counseling, 106-128-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2022.10.010  

Link, E., Baumann, E., Kreps, G.L., Czerwinski, F., Rosset, M., & Suhr, R.  (2022). Expanding the Health Information National Trends Survey research program internationally to examine global health communication trends: Comparing health information seeking behaviors in the U.S. and Germany.  Journal of Health Communication, 27(8), 545-554. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2022.2134522

Chen, X., Ariati, J., Li, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2022). Examining the Influences of COVID-19 information avoidance and uncertainty on perceived severity of the pandemic: Applications from the health belief model and Weick’s model of organizing, Health Behavior Research, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1151 

Yang, Y., Yu, G., Pan, J., & Kreps, G.L. (2022).  Public trust in sources and channels on judgement accuracy in food safety misinformation with the moderation effect of self-affirmation: Evidence from the HINTS-China database.  World Medical and Health Policy, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.544

Chen, X., Li, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2022).  Double burden of COVID-19 knowledge deficit: Low health literacy and high information avoidance.  BMC Research Notes, 15, article 27, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-05913-8.

Kreps, G.L., Thackeray, R. & Barnes, M.D. (2022, in press).  Chapter 5:  Building a health communication framework.  In R.J. Bensley & J. Brookins-Fishers (Eds.) Community health education methods: A practical guide (5th edition).  Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Kreps, G.L. (2022). Addressing challenges to effectively disseminate relevant health information. World Medical and Health Policy, 14(2), DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.528.

Otsuki, A., Saito, J., Yaguchi-Saito, A., Odawara, M., Fujimori, M., Hayakawa, M., Katanoda, K., Matsuda, T., Matsuoka, Y.J., Takahashi, H., Takahashi, M., Inoue, M., Yoshimi, I., Kreps, G.L., Uchitomi, Y., & Shimazu, T. (2022). Nationally representative cross-sectional survey for people-centered health INFORMation access for consumers in Japan: A protocol for the INFORM study. World Medical and Health Policy.

Bishop, J.M., Real, F.J., McDonald, S.L., Klein. M., DeBlasio, D., Kahn, J.A., Kreps, G.L., Rosen, B.L. (2022). Evaluation of HPV vaccine: Same Way, Same DayTM: A pilot study. Journal of Health Communication, DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.2021459, to link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.2021459 (2.781 impact factor).

Cingi, C.C., Eroğlu, E., & Kreps, G.L. (2022). Communication with the infected child.  In C. Cingi, Arisoy, S., & N.B. Muluk (Eds.). Pediatric ENT infections (pp. 123-130).  New York:  Springer Publishers.

Kim, D.K., & Kreps, G.L. (2022). Immigrant and refugee health in the age of globalization: Cases, theories, and strategies.  In D.K. Kim, & L. Kreps (Eds.). (2022). Global health communication for immigrants and refugees: Cases and strategies, pp. xviiii-xxii.  New York, Routledge.

Oh, K. An, K., Lee, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2022). Cultural factors influencing health literacy, health care access, and health behaviors among Korean Americans.  In D.K. Kim & L. Kreps (Eds.). (2022). Global health communication for immigrants and refugees: Cases, theories, and strategies, pp. 15-34.  DOI: 10.4324/9781003230243-2, New York, Routledge.

Chen, X., Li, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2022). The health communication needs of Chinese American immigrants.  In D.K. Kim & L. Kreps (Eds.). (2022, in-press). Global health communication for immigrants and refugees: Cases, theories, and strategies, pp. 35-47.  DOI: 10.4324/9781003230243-3, New York, Routledge.

Acharya, D., Devkota, D., & Kreps, G.L. (2022).  Does perceived susceptibility and severity of health problems serve as drivers to household enrollment in health insurance?  A case study from Nepal.  The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 37(2), 839-853. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3377.

Cosavalente Garcia, H.P., & Kreps, G.L. (2022).  South-South migration and the health communication concerns of Venezuelan refugees in Peru. In D.K. Kim & L. Kreps (Eds.). (2022, in-press). Global health communication for immigrants and refugees: Cases, theories, and strategies, pp. 208-220.  DOI: 10.4324/9781003230243-14, New York, Routledge.

Chen, X, Li, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2022).  Acculturation and health literacy among Chinese immigrants in the US. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 9(2), 489-497; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-00979-9.

Acharya, D., Adhikari, R., Ranabhat, C., Paudel, R., Kreps, G.L., Bhandari, T.R., Bhattarai, R., & Pathak, P. (2021).  Factors associated with intimate partner violence and the utilization of maternal health services: Findings from Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2016, Europasian Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(2): 65-71, https://doi.org/10.46405/ejms.v3i2.279.

Chen, X., Li, M., & Kreps, G.L. (2021).  Health literacy and COVID-19 information avoidance among college students. Health Behavior Research, 4(3), 10-11, https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1121, (the official journal of the American Academy for Health Behavior.

Kim, D.K., Kreps, G.L., & Ahmed, R. (2021). Our future arrived: Diffusion of human-machine communication and transformation of the world for the post-pandemic era.  Human-Machine Communication, 3. 7-10, https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.3.1.

Kim, D.K., Kreps, G.L., & Ahmed, R. (2021). Communicative development and diffusion of humanoid AI robots for the post-pandemic health care system.  Human-Machine Communication, 3. 65-82, https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.

Acharya, D., Adhikari, R., & Kreps, G.L. (2021).  Does exposure to mass media associate with utilization of ANC services?  A trend analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys.  The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3285.

Kreps, G.L. (2021). The role of strategic communication to respond effectively to pandemics.  Journal of Multicultural Discourses, 16(1), 12-19; DOI: 1080/17447143.2021.1885417.

Kreps, G.L. (2021).  Health advocacy and health communication for elderly health care consumers:  Rationale and demand. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(2)m 113-138.. 

Real, F.J., Rosen, B., Bishop, J.M., McDonald, S., DeBlasio, D., Kreps, G.L., Klein, M., & Kahn, J.A. (2021).  Usability evaluation of the novel smartphone application, HPV Vaccine: Same Way, Same DayTM, among pediatric residents. Academic Pediatrics, 21, 742-749.

Acharya, D., Devkota, B., & Kreps, G.L. (2021). The association between media exposure and enrollment in health insurance in Nepal: Implications for health policy. World Medical and Health Policy.

Cingi, C.C., Eroğlu, E., & Kreps, G.L. (2021, in-press). Communication with the infected child.  In C. Cingi, Arisoy, S., & N.B. Muluk (Eds.). Pediatric ENT infections.  New York:  Springer Publishers.

Rosen, B.L., Real, F.J., Bishop, J.M., McDonald, S.L., Klein, M., Kahn, J.A., & Kreps, G.L.  (2021).  School health service provider perceptions on facilitated interactive role-play around HPV vaccine recommendation. Journal of Cancer Education https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01949-1

Cingi, C., Eroğlu, E., & Kreps, G.L. (2021).  Sneezing and nasal discharge as a barrier to communication during adolescence.  In C. Cingi, N.B. Muluk, G. Scadding, & R. Mladina (Eds.) Challenges in rhinology (pp. 121-126). New York:  Springer Publishers.

Kreps, G.L. (2020).  Afterword: Digital Health Information Control.  In D. Sen & R. Ahmed (Eds.). Privacy concerns surrounding personal information sharing on health and fitness mobile applications, pp. 224-225.  Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Kreps, G.L., Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., & LaBelle, S. (2020).  Promoting convergence between health literacy and health communication.  In R.A. Logan & E.R. Siegel (Eds.), Health literacy in clinical practice and public health: New initiatives and lessons learned at the intersection with other disciplines. Amsterdam: IOS Press. pp. 526-543.  DOI 10 3233/SHT1200060, ISBN print 978-1-64368-074-3.

Kreps, G.L (2020). Translating research into practice on a global scale: The Health Information National Trends Survey global research program. In D.S. Anderson (Ed.).  Leadership in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: Insights from Long-Term Advocates (pp. 235-238).  New York: Routledge.

Kim, D.K., & Kreps, G.L. (2020).  An analysis of government communication in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations for effective government health risk communication. World Medical and Health Policy. Special symposium issue on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, DOI:1002/wmh3.363. (.87 impact factor).

Acharya, D., Adhikari, R., Ranabhat, C., Paudel, R., Bahdur Tapa, P, & Kreps, G.L. (2020). Does intimate partner violence influence the utilization of maternal health services? Research Square, (https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1513/v1/manuscript.pdf). doi 10.21203/rs.2.10538/v3 (no impact factor listed).

Kreps, G. L., Neuhauser, L., *Sparks, L., & Labelle, S. (2020). Promoting convergence between health literacy and health communication. Studies in health technology and informatics, 269, 526-543, doi: 10.3233/SHTI200025 (.44 impact factor).

Kreps, G.L. (2020).  The value of health communication scholarship: New directions for health communication inquiry. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 7(2s), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.04.007, special issue on Medicine, Humanity and Media, (.88 impact factor). Pre-print copy of the article is available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352013220300570?via%3Dihub

Maguire, L., & Kreps, G.L. (2020).  Hidden factors in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.  Journal of Neurology and Neurobiology, DOI: 31487/j.NNB.2020.01.06, available online at: https://www.sciencerepository.org/hidden-factors-in-diagnosing-alzheimer-s-disease_NNB-2020-1-106 (2.13 impact factor).

Ngenye, L. & Kreps, G.L. (2020).  A review of qualitative methods in health communication research.  The Qualitative Report, 25:3, 631-645, (.62 impact factor). (Full text of this article is available open source at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol25/iss3/5.

Acharya, D., Adhikari, R., Kreps, G.L. Gautam, K., Dhakal, K.P., Raikhola, P.S., & Bhattarai, R. (2020).  Educational status of female youth in Nepal: A foundation for health and wellbeing. Where should programmes focus? South Asian Survey, 27(1), 7-18, https://doi.org/10.1177/0971523120907207 (.25 Impact Factor).

Kreps, G.L. (2020). Engaged communication scholarship: The challenge to translate communication research into practice. In D. O’Hair & M.J. O’Hair (Eds.) Handbook of Applied Communication Research, New York: Wiley, pp. 93-102,  https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119399926.ch6

Kreps, G.L. (2020). The emerging area of e-health communication research: Using data to enhance the effectiveness of health information systems. In D. O’Hair & M.J. O’Hair (Eds.) Handbook of Applied Communication Research, New York: Wiley Publishers, pp. 971-982, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119399926.ch53

Cingi, C.C., Eroğlu, E., & Kreps, G.L. (2020). Role of anosmia on personal communication.  In C. Cingi & N.B. Muluk (Eds.). All around the nose (pp. 247-251).  New York:  Springer Publishers.

Rosen, B.L., Kreps, G.L., Bishop, J.M., & McDonald, S. (2019).  Quality evaluation tool for clinician online continuing medical education. Health Behavior Research, 2:4, 20 https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1044 (the official journal of the American Academy for Health Behavior; 586 impact factor).

Gagen, D.M., & Kreps, G.L. (2019).  An examination of the clarity of government health websites using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clear Communication Index.  Frontiers in Communication: Health Communication Section, 4:60. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2019.00060 (Frontiers Journals have a combined 3.63 impact factor).  (Full text of this original research article is available open source at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2019.00060/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Communication&id=493873).

Nambisan, P., Lyytinen, K., Stange, K., Kahana, E., & Kreps, G. L. (2019). A comprehensive digital self-care support system for older adults: A multidisciplinary framework. Innovation in Aging, 3(Suppl 1), S326 (no impact factor listed).

Terry, M.B., Michels, K.B, Brody, J.G., Byrne, C., Chen, S., Jerry, J., Malecki, K.M., Martin, M.B., Miller, R.L., Neuhausen, S.L., Silk, K., Trentham-Dietz, and the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program (BCERP, including Kreps, G.L.). (2019).  Environmental exposures during windows of susceptibility for breast cancer: A framework for prevention research. Breast Cancer Research, 21(96), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-019-1168-2 (5.74 impact factor).

Rosen, B.L., Bishop, J.M., Anderson, R., Real, F.J., Klein, M.D. & Kreps, G.L. (2019).  A content analysis of HPV vaccine online continuing medical education purpose statements and learning objectives. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 15(7-8), 1508-1518 (special focus issue on HPV Vaccines and Associated Cancers), DOI: -1080/21645515.2019.1587273 (HV&I has a 2.229 impact factor). 

Desens, L., Kreps, G.L, & Su, Y. (2019).  Online social support:  Analysis of an online discussion forum for the significant others of deployed service members. Journal of Veterans Studies, 4(2), pp. 94-111 (no impact factor listed).

Kreps, G.L., *Burke-Garcia, A., & Wright, K. (2019).  The use of digital communication channels to enhance environmental health literacy.  In S. Finn & L. O’Fallon (Eds).  Environmental Health Literacy (pp. 265-283). New York:  Springer Publications.

Kreps, G.L. (2018).  Promoting patient comprehension of relevant health information. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, DOI: 10.1186/s13584-018-0250-z.

Pan, J., Liu, B., & Kreps, G.L. (2018).  Who says what: Attribution and efficacy in the public discourse of depression in Sina Weibo.  BMC Public Health. 18:772 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5701-5.

Burke-Garcia, A., Kreps, G.L., & Wright, K. (2018). Perceptions about disseminating health information amongst mommy bloggers.  Journal of Medical Internet Research-Research Protocols, doi:10.2196/resprot.7764.

Rosen, B.L., Bishop, J.M., McDonald, S.L., & Kreps, G.L. (2018).  Quality evaluation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine web-based educational interventions for clinicians.  Journal of Medical Internet Research-Cancer, (JMIR Cancer 2018;4(1):e3) doi:10.2196/cancer.9114.

Kreps, G.L., Burke-Garcia, A., & Wright, K. (2018).  The use of digital communication channels to enhance environmental health literacy. In S. Finn & L. O’Fallon (Eds).  Environmental Health Literacy. New York: Springer Publications.

Cingi, C.C., Eroğlu, E., & Kreps, G.L. (2018). Role of anosmia on personal communication.  In C. Cingi & N.B. Muluk (Eds.).  All around the nose.  New York:  Springer Publishers.

Expanded Publication List

Kreps, G.L. (2018). Communication and palliative care:  E-health interventions and pain management.  In R, Moore (Ed.).  Handbook of pain and palliative care:  Biobehavioral approaches for the life course, 2nd edition.  New York:  Springer Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95369-4_5

Yu, G., Pan, J., & Kreps, G.L. (2018).  The norms of health communication research: Theoretical framework and academic logic based on the Chinese Health Information National Trends Survey.  In: G. Yu (Ed.). Health communication: Chinese people’s information access, cognition, and acknowledgement. Empirical research and analysis based on HINTS China survey (pp. 3-14).   Beijing:  CIP, ISBN 978-7-5115-5540-3.  

Zhao, X, Mao, Q., Kreps, G.L., Yu, G., Li, Y., Xu, Z., Song, M, Chou, W-Y., Persoskie, A., He, R., & Kim, P. (2018). Cancer information seekers in China: A preliminary profile. In: G. Yu (Ed.). Health communication: Chinese people’s information access, cognition, and acknowledgement. Empirical research and analysis based on HINTS China survey (pp. 287-316).   Beijing:  CIP, ISBN 978-7-5115-5540-3. 

Kreps, G.L., Yu, G., Zhao, X., Chou, W.-Y., & Hesse, B.W. (2018). Expanding the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey from the US to China and beyond:  Examining the influences of consumer health information needs and practices on local and global health. In: G. Yu (Ed.). Health communication: Chinese people’s information access, cognition, and acknowledgement. Empirical research and analysis based on HINTS China survey (pp. 317-333).   Beijing:  CIP, ISBN 978-7-5115-5540-3. 

Kreps, G.L., Thackeray, R. & Barnes, M.D. (2018). Chapter 5:  Building a health communication framework.  In R.J. Bensley & J. Brookins-Fishers (Eds.) Community health education methods: A practical guide (4th edition) (pp. 69-91). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Kreps, G.L., & Alpert, J. (2018).  Evaluating online health information systems.  In H.D. O’Hair (Ed.).  Risk and Health Communication in an Evolving Media Environment (pp. 176-187).  New York:  Taylor & Francis.

Kreps, G.L., & Alpert, J. (2018).  Methods for evaluating online health information systems.  In P. Liamputtong (Ed.).  Handbook of research methods in health and social science.  New York:  Springer Publishers (doi:10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_111-1).

Kreps, G.L.  (2017).  Online information and communication systems to enhance health outcomes through communication convergence.  Human Communication Research, DOI: 10.1111/hcre.12117

Kreps, G.L. (2017).  Stigma and the reluctance to address mental health issues in minority communities.  Journal of Family Strengths, 17(1)

Kreps, G.L. (2017). The relevance of health literacy to mHealth.  Information Services and Use, 37(2), 123-130. 

Kreps, G.L., Yu, G., Zhao, X., Chou, W.-Y., & Hesse, B.W. (2017).  Expanding the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey from the US to China and beyond:  Examining the influences of consumer health information needs and practices on local and global health.  Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 1077699016687725 

Kreps, G.L. (2017). Transdisciplinary health communication research across the continuum of care.  In C. Lambert & M. Grimm (Eds.), Health communication as a transdisciplinary field (pp. 13-22).  Baden Baden, Germany:  Nomos Verlag.

Kreps, G.L.  (2016).  Communication and effective interprofessional health care teams. International Archives of Nursing and Health Care 2(3), 2:051, ISSN: 2469-5823

Alpert, JM, Krist, AH, Aycock, BA, & Kreps, G.L.  (2016).  Applying multiple methods to comprehensively evaluate a patient portal's effectiveness to convey information to patients. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(5): e112, doi:10.2196/jmir.5451

Krist, A.H., Nease, D.E., Kreps, G.L., Overholser, L., & McKenzie, M. (2016).  Engaging patients in primary and specialty care.  In Hesse, B.W., Ahern, D.K., & Beckjord, E.  (Eds.).  Oncology Informatics:  Using Health Information Technology to Improve Processes and Outcomes in Cancer Care (pp. 55-79).  Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Kreps, G.L.  (2015). Health communication inquiry and health promotion:  A state of the art review.  Journal of Nature and Science, 1(2), e35, 1-12

Zhao, X, Mao, Q., Kreps, G.L., Yu, G., Li, Y., Xu, Z., Song, M, Chou, W-Y., Persoskie, A., He, R., & Kim, P. (2015). Cancer information seekers in China:  A preliminary profile.   Journal of Health Communication, 20(5), 616-626.

Rising, C.E., Bol, N., & Kreps, G.L.  (2015). The effect of age on use and perceptions of e-health in men with prostate cancer: Results from a web-based survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research: Cancer, (1):e6, doi:10.2196/cancer.4128; available at:  URL: http://www.jmir.org/2015/1/e6/

Oh, K.M., Jun, J., Zhao, X., & Kreps, G.L. (2015). Cancer information seeking behaviors of Korean American Women: A mixed methods study using surveys and focus group interviews. Journal of Health Communication, 20(10), 1143-1154.

Kim, W., Kreps, G.L., & Shin, C-N.  (2015). The role of social support and social networks in health information-seeking behavior among Korean Americans: A qualitative study.  International Journal of Equity in Health, 14(40). DOI 10.1186/s12939-015-0169-8.

Grants and Fellowships

  • Senior Scientific Adviser and Co-Investigator, Planning Grant for the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) – Germany, Stiftung Gesundheitswissen (Foundation for Health Information, Berlin, Germany), Eva Baumann, Hannover University, PI, (2017-2022).
  • Senior Scientific Advisor and Co-Investigator, Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) – China, Phase 2 Administration, Chinese Food and Drug Administration, Peoples Republic of China, Guoming Yu, Beijing Normal University, PI, (2016-2022).
  • Scientific Advisory Board Member, The Education, Social, and Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Graduates Transitioning to the Workforce in Hong Kong, Collaborative Research Fund, the University of Hong Kong, Olga Zayts, CRF Project Research Coordinator, University of Hong Kong, 2022.
  • External Advisory Committee Member, NHLBI T32 Training Program Precision Lifestyle Medicine and Translation Research (PREMIER), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, 2018-2022, (awarded 2018, Ben Gerber and Jun Ma, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Courses Taught

399- Health Communication

400- Research Methods in Communication

600- Introduction to Graduate Studies

620- Health Communication

634- Interpersonal Communication Theory 

635- Organizational Communication

705- Intercultural Health and Risk Communication

720- Consumer-Provided Health Communication

721- E-Health Communication

798- Communication Research Projects

820- Health Communication Campaigns

Education

I received my BA and his MA degrees in Communication from the University of Colorado, Boulder and my PhD degree in Communication from the University of Southern California.

Recent Presentations

  • Strategic Health-Risk Communication During and After Disasters, Keynote presentation at the Natural Hazards Communication Research Applications Workshop, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (delivered in-person), 2023.

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    Meeting the Health Literacy Challenges of Vulnerable Audiences, Distinguished Lecture, CMN5108 Graduate Seminar in Health Communication at the University of Ottawa, (delivered remotely), 2023.

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    Visuality Promotes Immediacy to Enhance the Effectiveness of Health Promotion Efforts, Keynote presentation at the 7th International Conference on VISUALITY 2023, Media and Communication in the Age of (Dis)Information, organized by Vilnius Gedeminas Technical University Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius, Lithuania, (delivered remotely), 2023.

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    Health Communication Campaign Design Issues, Keynote Presentation at the MEDI-COM Forum. Healthcare communication for prevention and health promotion," under the auspices of the Romanian Ministry of Health, Iasi University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the International Association for Communication in Healthcare, Iasi, Romania (delivered remotely), 2023.

  • The Intricate Role of Communication Before, During, and After Successful Implantation Surgery, Keynote Presentation at the 1st International Symposium of SIIRI (Safety-Integrated and Infection-Reactive Implants), funded by the Collaborative Research Center/Transregio, the German Research Association, in collaboration with the Hannover Medical School and Leibniz Universität Hannover (with participation of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Technische Universität Braunschweig, and the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media), Hannover, Germany, 2022.
  • The Strategic Role of Communication in Cancer Prevention, Keynote Address, The Third International Conference on Cancer Prevention, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany, 2022.
  • The Relevance of Health Communication Inquiry, University of Maryland School of Public Health, Introduction to Global Health Communication and Promotion, MIEH 620 course, 2022.
  • Communicating Effectively with Clients: Bridging Health Literacy Challenges, Nebraska Speech Language Hearing Association annual conference, online, 2021.
  • Digital Health Communication Research and Applications, Workshop presented at Jinan University, School of Journalism and Communication, Guangzhou, China, 2018.
  • Applications to Promote Public Health from the Global HINTS Research Program, Keynote Address presented at the HINTS-China Research Conference, Beijing, China, 2018.
  • Communication Research and Global Health Promotion, Plenary Speaker, World Communication Forum Global Conference, Communication on Top Geneva, Switzerland, 2018
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Communication, Lecture presented as part of the online course about global health systems: At war with the virus: Coping with COVID-19, Swedish HealthCare Academy, in collaboration with both Indiana University and Central Michigan University, 2020.
  • Implications of The Digital Divide for Enhancing Digital/Health Literacy, Webinar presented to administrators and health care professionals at 46 federally qualified HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) health care centers, organized by the MITRE Corporation, online, 2020.
  • Embedding Data and Evidence in Global Health Programs, Panel presentation on the Unite for Sight Global Health Idea Lab Virtual Panel. The Global Health Idea Lab convenes leaders, changemakers, and participants from all fields of global health, international development, and social entrepreneurship to advance dialogue and conversation about health, development, education, and entrepreneurship outcomes, online, 2020. 
  • Using Data to Design, Refine, Implement, and Sustain Health Risk Communication Programs for Responding to Pandemics, Distinguished lecture presented to the Central Michigan University, Doctoral Seminar in Health Services Research, Health Administration Division, School of Health Sciences, online, 2020.
  • The Value of Health Communication Scholarship, Keynote Address presented to the Health Communication International Conference, Peking University, Medicine, Humanity, and Media (MHM 2019), Beijing, China, 2019.
  • Key Directions in Health Communication Inquiry, Lecture presented to the School of Communication and Journalism, Peking University, Beijing, China, 2019.·        
  • Translational Science and Implementation of Health Promotion Recommendations, presented to the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program 2019 Annual Integration Meeting as part of a panel on Translational Science, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, 2019.·        
  • Designing and Maintaining an Academic CV, Doctoral student proseminar presented to the Communication Graduate Student Association (CGSA), George Mason University, 2019.
  • The Value of Health Communication Research and Applications, Workshop for Medical, Nursing and Health Promotion Staff, Guangdong Hospital for Women and Children, Guangzhou, China, 2019.
  • The Importance of Nonverbal Communication Research and Applications, Workshop presented to the Jinan University School of Journalism and Communication, Summer Communication Forum, Guangzhou, China, 2019.
  • New Directions in Health and Risk Communication Research, Distinguished Speaker, Hong Kong Baptist University, School of Communication, 2019.·        
  • The Role of Consumer-Provider Communication in Symptom Management, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds New York City, 2019.·        
  • New Directions in Health Communication Research and Education, Opening Plenary Speaker, The City Tech Allied Health Communication Symposium, City University of New York, New York City College of Technology, 2019.·        
  • The Evolving Applications of E-Health, M-Health, and Telemedicine, Lecture presented to a course on health communication at the City University of New York, New York City College of Technology, 2019.
  • Communicating Effectively with Vulnerable and At-Risk Clientele, American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) annual conference, Orlando, Florida, 2019.       
  • Funding for Health Communication Research: Where to Find It, How to Get It.  Webinar speaker sponsored by the Health Communication Working Group (HCWG) of the American Public Health Association, 2019.       
  • Preparing for Comprehensive Exams and Dissertation Research, Doctoral student proseminar presented to the Communication Graduate Student Association (CGSA), George Mason University, 2019.
  • The Global HINTS Research Program, morning keynote lecture at the HINTS-Israel Planning Meeting, the University of Haifa, Israel, 2018.
  • The Global HINTS Research Program Methodological Overview, afternoon keynote lecture at the HINTS-Israel Planning Meeting, the University of Haifa, Israel, 2018.

In the Media

 

Interviewed for Medscape, "Doctors' Use of Emojis When Texting Colleagues May Boost Humor, Solidarity," June 15, 2023.

Interviewed for Bloomberg Law, "Biden’s Omicron Booster Campaign Faces Fatigue, Efficacy Doubts," September 8, 2022.

Interviewed for Bloomberg Law, "Evolving Covid Booster Guidelines Threaten to Widen Inequities," April 26, 2022.

Interviewed for the Boston Globe, "Scented Candles or Burnt Marshmallows - Which One Can Cause Cancer?  The Answer Might Surprise You," April 7, 2022. 

Interviewed for Yahoo News, "Public is Shell-shocked by the Latest Turn of the Pandemic, December 15, 2021.

Interviewed for the Pew Research Center, "Hopes About the Development In Ethical AI," June 16, 2021.

Interviewed for WebMD, "Misinformation, Disagreement Hinder COVID Messaging, July 29, 2020.

Interviewed for Pacific Standard, "What Health Ad Researchers Think about the White House's New Anti-Opioid Campaign, June 18, 2018.

Radio Interview, “Communicating About the Dangerous Seasonal Flu Epidemic in the United States,” Texas Standard Public Radio, January 29, 2018.

Dissertations Supervised

Corinne Berry, The COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Perceptions at George Mason University: A Formative Communication Study (2023)

Adebanke L. Adebayo , The Sociocultural Understanding of Climate Change and its Effects on Maternal and Prenatal Health Outcomes in Nigeria, West Africa. (2022)

Henri K. Huber , The Role of Communication in Informal Caregiving for Family Members with Alzheimer’s Disease (2022)

Elmira Hamidi, Diabetes Be Dur, A Type 2 Diabetes Mobile Application for Iranian Nationals in the U.S. (2021)

Kimberly S. Daniels, Male Body Talk: Investigating Fat Talk and Muscle Talk in a Romantic Context (2021)

Farah Latif , A Mixed Method Approach to Conceptualizing and Scale Development of Personal Reputations: A Multidimensional Approach Using Legitimacy, Social Evaluation, Parasocial Relationships, and Agency (2021)

Peter Susko , A Content Analysis of Social Media Campaigns in the 2016 US Presidential Election (2020)

George Kueppers, Exploring Relationships Among Perceived Stigma, Self-disclosure, Social Support, & Help-seeking Behavior in the Context Of College Students’ Interpersonal Mental Health Communication: A Sequential Multi-Methodological Approach (2020)

Hilda Patricia Garcia Cosavalente, Reproductive Health Information Seeking Matters: Predictors and Perceived Barriers among Young Peruvian Women (2020)

Linda E. Maguire , Cognitive, Functional and Narrative Improvements After Individualized Singing Interventions In Dementia Patients (2020)

Joshua D. Murphy, Together, We Can: An Exploratory Analysis of Patient-centered Crowdfunding (2019)

Liza Ngenye, A Careful Relationship: A Narrative Study of Family Caregiving Relationships in Cancer Care (2018)

Joonwoo Moon , Smokers’ Perceptions of Using Mobile Applications for Smoking Cessation: A Comparative Analysis Across Three Countries, China, Korea, and The United States (2018)

Deion Hawkins , “I Thought I Was Going to Die. All I Could Do Was Turn on My Camera and Pray:” Trauma and Communication Surrounding Police Brutality in the Black Community (2018)

Jordan Alpert , Assessing the Communication Immediacy of an Online Health Portal: Analysis and Recommendations to Create a Communicatively Competent Health Information System (2015)

Denise K. Scannell, Communicating about Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Influences on Marriage and Caregiving (2014)

Suzanne Carmack, Making Sense of Well-being: A Mixed-Methods Study Applying Sense-making Theory to Explore the Role of Communication Competence and Social Support in Physical, Emotional, Mental and Comprehensive Well-being (2014)

Wonsun Kim, The Role of Social Support and Social Networks in Health Information Seeking Behavior Among Korean Americans: A Mixed Method Approach (2013)

Kelly Vandersluis Morgan, Individual Fitness: Creating a Tailored Fitness Message Assessment for Women Ages 25-70 (2013)

Lindsay M. Hughes, One in a Million: Navigating Health Information and Rare Diseases (2013)

Linda Desens, Online Social Support: Buffering Deployment Stress Among Marine Corps Spouses (2013)

Nicole M. Robinson, To Tell or Not to Tell: Factors in Self-Disclosing Mental Illness in Our Everyday Relationships (2012)

Christian JW Ledford, Improving Patient Outcomes Through Physician Communication: Message Frame and Presentation Mode Influence on the Walking Behavior of Type 2 Diabetes (2011)