Dr. Michael Stellefson
Professional Organizations
- Society for Public Health Education
- American Public Health Association
- Society for Health Communication
Research Interests
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant public health concern, particularly in the Southeastern United States. I recently conducted a study examining the understandability and actionability of web-based educational resources for people with COPD. This research highlights the critical need for literacy-sensitive educational materials tailored to the various information needs of patients, ensuring they can effectively self-manage their condition. A comprehensive health literacy demands assessment of an online inhaler education video series also revealed that while most inhaler-use videos were well-structured and actionable, their overall clarity was lacking. These findings underscore the importance of developing patient education resources that align with health literacy principles to support proper inhaler and nebulizer use.
Overall, my research utilizes a multifaceted approach, employing systematic reviews, population-based surveys, multimedia content analyses, and qualitative interviews. This comprehensive approach allows me to achieve my three main research goals:
- Analyze public health data to identify and target adults diagnosed with COPD.
- Evaluate web-based technologies designed to support COPD self-management.
- Explore innovative methods to increase eHealth literacy within populations who self-report a chronic disease(s).
Beyond my own research pursuits, I am passionate about mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and fostering the next generation of researchers. Throughout my career, I have co-authored over 80 manuscripts and 80 professional conference presentations with approximately 75 undergraduate and graduate students. I am committed to empowering my students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become successful researchers and future leaders in the field of health education/promotion.
Courses Taught
- HHE 375 Health Behavior Theory
- HHE 446 Health Disparities
- HHE 496 Independent Study
- HHE 587 Health Disparities
- HHE 604 Seminar in Health
- HHE 605 Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Basis of Health Education and Health Promotion
- HHE 699 Dissertation Research