Larkin L. Strong, Ph.D., MPH
Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Strong
Larkin Strong, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Disparities Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. A theme throughout her work is the recognition that health and health behaviors are embedded within social, physical, economic, and cultural contexts. Her research aims to understand how social, cultural, and environmental influences help to shape patterns of cancer preventive behaviors in minority and underserved populations, with the ultimate objective of translating research findings into health promotion efforts that stimulate meaningful change in opportunities for and adoption of healthy lifestyles. Dr. Strong works in minority and underserved communities and uses a community-engaged research approach to guide her work. She is interested in developing and evaluating innovative approaches to promote healthy lifestyles with a particular emphasis on physical activity and healthy eating. Dr. Strong’s research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and through institutional funding. She is the PI of an R01 to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-focused community health worker-delivered intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity in dyads of Latino adults in the Houston area. Dr. Strong also recently completed a novel social network-based pilot intervention to promote physical activity and build social support in dyads of African American and Latina women. Finally, she was a recipient of a Mentored Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society that facilitated her training and research in the investigation of pathways linking physical and social environments to physical activity and sedentary behaviors in diverse samples of adults.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA, PHD, Health Services |
| 2002 | University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA, MPH, Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| 1997 | Brown University, Providence, RI, USA, BA, Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2006-2008 | Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Kellogg Health Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2019
Instructor, Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2012
Instructor, Department of Epidemiology, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2011
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Research Assistant, Health Policy Analysis Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2001 - 2002
Program Evaluator, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, Seattle, WA, 2001 - 2001
Research Assistant/Editorial Manager, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2000 - 2001
Research Assistant, Dept of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, 1998 - 2000
Institutional Committee Activities
Vice Chair, Institutional Review Board 4, 2020 - Present
Member, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2018 - 2020
Member, Internal Advisory Board, Mexican American Cohort Study, 2018 - Present
Member, PROSPR Internal Advisory Committee, 2016 - 2017
Member, Steering Committee, UT Population Health Strategic Plan, 2016 - 2018
Reviewer, INTEREST (Internal Review Study Section), 2016 - Present
Member, Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship research retreat planning committee, 2015 - 2016
Co-Chair, Comprehensive Cancer Control Energy Balance Work Group, 2014 - 2015
Faculty member, Cancer Control Platform ExxonMobil Healthy Communities Initiative, 2014 - 2016
Faculty member, Cancer Control Platform Shell Healthy Communities Initiative, 2014 - 2016
Member, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Lectureship Committee, 2013 - 2014
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral and Health Services Research Committee (PBHSRC), 2012 - 2016
Co-Chair, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2012 - 2013
Member, Comprehensive Cancer Control Energy Balance Work Group, 2011 - 2015
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Raber M, Liao Y, Rara A, Schembre SM, Krause KJ, Strong LL, Daniel-MacDougall C, Basen-Engquist K. A systematic review of the use of dietary self-monitoring in behavioural weight loss interventions: delivery, intensity and effectiveness. Public Health Nutr 24(17):5885-5913, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34412727.
- John JC, Wang J, McNeill LHM, Basen-Engquist K, Hoover DS, Daniel CR, Strong LL. A Mixed Methods Study on Engagement and Satisfaction with a Digitally-Enhanced Pilot Intervention Among African American and Hispanic Women. J Immigr Minor Health 23(5):1011-1020, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33043411.
- Mama SK, Bhuiyan N, Chaoul A, Cohen L, Fagundes CP, Hoover DS, Strong LL, Li Y, Nguyen NT, McNeill LH. Feasibility and acceptability of a faith-based mind-body physical activity intervention among African American adults. Transl Behav Med 10(4):928-937, 2020. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30476343.
- Brown LD, Strong LL, Civallero L, Mullen PD, Chang S. Building capacity for community-based participatory research to address cancer disparities: Case report from a Community Networks Program Center. Eval Program Plann 82:101829, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32544719.
- Coletta AM, Peterson SK, Gatus LA, Krause KJ, Schembre SM, Gilchrist SC, Arun B, You YN, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Strong LL, Lu KH, Basen-Engquist K. Diet, Weight Management, Physical Activity and Ovarian & Breast Cancer Risk in Women with BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Germline Gene Variants: Systematic Review. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 18:5, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32165993.
- Coletta AM, Peterson SK, Gatus LA, Krause KJ, Schembre SM, Gilchrist SC, Pande M, Vilar E, You YN, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Strong LL, Lynch PM, Lu KH, Basen-Engquist K. Energy balance related lifestyle factors and risk of endometrial and colorectal cancer among individuals with lynch syndrome: a systematic review. Fam Cancer 18(4):399-420, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31236808.
- Flores RT, Cano MÁ, Correa-Fernández V, Field CA, Heppner WL, Strong LL, Castro Y. Associations of multiple acculturation domains with smoking status among Latino adults. J Lat Psychol 7(3):171-183, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 31745537.
- Wu IHC, Strong LL, Nguyen NT, Cho D, John J, McNeill LH. Psychosocial Stressors, Depression, and Physical Activity among African Americans. Am J Health Behav 43(4):717-728, 2019. PMID: 31239015.
- Cho D, Nguyen NT, Strong LL, Wu IHC, John JC, Escoto KH, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Multiple health behaviors engagement in an African American cohort: Clustering patterns and correlates. Health Educ Behav 46(3):506-516, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30776919.
- Housten AJ, Hoover DS, Correa-Fernández V, Strong LL, Heppner WL, Vinci C, Wetter DW, Spears CA, Castro Y. Associations of Acculturation with English- and Spanish-Language Health Literacy Among Bilingual Latino Adults. Health Lit Res Pract 3(2):e81-e89, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31294309.
- Heredia NI, Wilkinson AV, Forman MR, Christie IC, Wang J, Daniel CR, Zhao H, Bondy ML, Strong LL. Longitudinal associations of family functioning with body mass index in Mexican-origin adolescents. Prev Med 118:309-316, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30419254.
- Reid EK, Castro Y, Strong LL, Heppner WL, Correa-Fernandez V. Researching cancer risk behaviors among bilingual Latinos using technology and intensive longitudinal design. SAGE Research Methods Cases, 2018.
- McNeill LH, Reitzel LR, Escoto KH, Roberson CL, Nguyen N, Vidrine JI, Strong LL, Wetter DW. Engaging Black Churches to Address Cancer Health Disparities: Project CHURCH. Front Public Health 19:191, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30073158.
- Eder MM, Holzer J, Calhoun K, Strong LL. A retrospective on the vision for Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action. Prog Community Health Partnersh 11(1):1-11, 2017. PMID: 28603145.
- Heredia NI, Krasny S, Strong LL, Von Hatten L, Nguyen L, Reininger BM, McNeill LH, Fernández ME. Community Perceptions of Biobanking Participation: A Qualitative Study among Mexican-Americans in Three Texas Cities. Public Health Genomics 20(1):46-57, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27926908.
- Raber M, Chandra J, Upadhyaya M, Schick V, Strong LL, Durand C, Sharma S. An evidence-based conceptual framework of healthy cooking. Prev Med Rep 4:23-8, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27413657.
- Strong LL, Hoover DS, Heredia NI, Krasny S, Spears CA, Correa-Fernández V, Wetter DW, Fernandez ME. Perspectives of Mexican-origin smokers on healthy eating and physical activity. Health Educ Res 31(4):465-77, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27240536.
- Bigman G, Rajesh V, Koehly LM, Strong LL, Oluyomi AO, Strom SS, Wilkinson AV. Family cohesion and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Mexican origin adolescents: A longitudinal perspective. J Phys Act Health 12(7):1023-30, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25919963.
- Castro Y, Fernández ME, Strong LL, Stewart DW, Krasny S, Hernandez Robles E, Heredia N, Spears CA, Correa-Fernández V, Eakin E, Resnicow K, Basen-Engquist K, Wetter DW. Adaptation of a counseling intervention to address multiple cancer risk factors among overweight/obese Latino smokers. Health Educ Behav 42(1):65-72, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25527143.
- Li R, Raber M, Mejia L, Domenech M, Brewster A, Swartz MC, Strong LL, Chandra J. Development and feasibility of a culturally sensitive cooking and physical activity program designed for obese Hispanic families. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition 7:86-93, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Reitzel LR, Regan SD, Nguyen N, Cromley EK, Strong LL, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Density and proximity of fast food restaurants and body mass index among African Americans. Am J Public Health 104(1):110-6, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23678913.
- Strong LL, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Associations of perceived neighborhood physical and social environments with physical activity and television viewing in African American men and women. Am J Health Promot 27(6):401-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23398134.
- Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Strong LL, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Subjective social status and health behaviors among African Americans. Am J Health Behav 37(1):104-11, 2013. PMID: 22943107.
- Castro Y, Basen-Engquist K, Fernandez ME, Strong LL, Eakin EG, Resnicow K, Li Y, Wetter DW. Design of a randomized controlled trial for multiple cancer risk behaviors among Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin smokers. BMC Public Health 13:237, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23506397.
- Strong LL, Anderson CB, Miranda PY, Bondy ML, Zhou R, Etzel C, Spitz M, Wilkinson AV. Gender differences in sociodemographic and behavioral influences of physical activity in Mexican-origin adolescents. J Phys Act Health 9(6):829-39, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21952224.
- de Heer HD, Wilkinson AV, Strong LL, Bondy ML, Koehly LM. Sitting time and health outcomes among Mexican origin adults: obesity as a mediator. BMC Public Health 12(1):896, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23092387.
- Schulz AJ, Israel BA, Coombe CM, Gaines C, Reyes AG, Rowe Z, Sand SL, Strong LL, Weir S. A Community-Based Participatory Planning Process and Multilevel Intervention Design: Toward Eliminating Cardiovascular Health Disparities. Health Promot Pract 12(6):900-911, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21873580.
- Strong LL, Starks HE, Meischke H, Thompson B. Perspectives of Mothers in Farmworker Households on Reducing the Take-Home Pathway of Pesticide Exposure. Health Educ Behav 36(5):915-29, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19136611.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Koepsell TD, Meischke H, Coronado GD. Reducing the take-home pathway of pesticide exposure: behavioral outcomes from the para niños saludables study. J Occup Environ Med 51(8):922-33, 2009. PMID: 19620892.
- Strong LL, Israel BA, Schulz AJ, Reyes A, Rowe Z, Weir SS, Poe C. Piloting interventions within a community-based participatory research framework: lessons learned from the healthy environments partnership. Prog Community Health Partnersh 3(4):327-34, 2009. PMID: 20097994.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Koepsell TD, Meischke H. Factors associated with pesticide safety practices in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 51(1):69-81, 2008. PMID: 18033725.
- Strong LL, Von Korff M, Saunders K, Moore JE. Cost-effectiveness of two self-care interventions to reduce disability associated with back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 31(15):1639-45, 2006. PMID: 16816756.
- Strong LL, Zimmerman FJ. Occupational injury and absence from work among African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White workers in the national longitudinal survey of youth. Am J Public Health 95(7):1226-32, 2005. PMID: 15983275.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Coronado GD, Griffith WC, Vigoren EM, Islas I. Health symptoms and exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 46(6):599-606, 2004. PMID: 15551369.
- Coronado GD, Thompson B, Strong LL, Griffith WC, Islas I. Agricultural task and exposure to organophosphate pesticides among farmworkers. Environ Health Perspect 112(2):142-7, 2004. PMID: 14754567.
- Pugatch D, Strong LL, Has P, Patterson D, Combs C, Reinert S, Rich JD, Flanigan T, Brown L. Heroin use in adolescents and young adults admitted for drug detoxification. J Subst Abuse 13(3):337-46, 2001. PMID: 11693456.
- Rich JD, Strong LL, Mehrotra M, Macalino G. Strategies to optimize the impact of needle exchange programs. AIDS Read 10(7):421-9, 2000. PMID: 10932846.
- Pugatch D, Ramratnam M, Strong LL, Feller A, Levesque B, Dickinson BP. Gender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors among Young Adults and Adolescents Entering a Massachusetts Detoxification Center. Subst Abus 21(2):79-86, 2000. PMID: 12466648.
- Rich JD, Strong LL, Towe CW, McKenzie M. Obstacles to needle exchange participation in Rhode Island. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 21(5):396-400, 1999. PMID: 10458620.
- Dickinson BP, Mylonakis E, Strong LL, Rich JD. Potential infections related to anabolic steroid injection in young adolescents. Pediatrics 103(3):694, 1999. PMID: 10189297.
- Housten AJ, Hoover DS, Britton M, Bevers TB, Street RL, McNeill LH,Strong LL, Hersch J, McCaffery K, Volk RJ. Perceptions of Conflicting Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women: a Multimethod Study. J Gen Intern Med. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35015260.
- Raber M, Ranjit N, Strong LL, Basen-Engquist K. Home Cooking Quality Assessment Tool Validation Using Community Science and Crowdsourcing Approaches. J Nutr Educ Behav 21. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35000831.
- Basen-Engquist K, Raber M, Strong LL, Schembre S, Li L, Arun B, Lu K, You N, Vilar E, Lynch P, Fares S, Peterson SK. Optimization of an mHealth lifestyle intervention for families with hereditary cancer syndromes: Study protocol for a multiphase optimization strategy feasibility study. Contemp Clin Trials 113:106662. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34971795.
- John JC, Heredia NI, McNeill LH, Hoelscher DM, Schembre S, Lee M, Opusunju JJ, Goetz M, Aguirre M, Reininger BM,Strong LL. Qualitative Exploration of Family Influences on Physical Activity in Hispanic Families. J Phys Act Health 19(2):89-98. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35061997.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Reducing Cancer Disparities Among Latinos in Texas |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Developing a Culturally Relevant Model of Smoking Cessation among Latinos |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | Pathways Linking Neighborhoods and Activity Behaviors in Diverse Populations |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Fitness Tracking Together: Using Social Networks to Promote Physical Activity in African American and Hispanic Women |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Diet-microbiome interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) etiology and outcomes |
| Funding Source: | CCSG Prevention and Population Science Research Programs Seed Funding Initiative |
| Role: | Multiple Principal Investigator |