Lorraine R. Reitzel, Ph.D.
Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Lorraine R. Reitzel
Dr. Lorraine R. Reitzel is a Professor and Deputy Chair of the Department of Health Disparities Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the social determinants of cancer and cancer risk behaviors - and the specific biopsychosocial mechanisms that account for associated disparities among minoritized and marginalized groups - with an emphasis on generating highly translational results that inform policy and intervention. Her primary focus is tobacco use and cessation; however, her work spans dietary risk behaviors, physical inactivity, alcohol/drug use, and cancer screening behaviors and investigates a wide range of social and socioeconomic determinants of health inequities. Additionally, Dr. Reitzel is invested in the research training and professional development of undergraduate/graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career scientists in addictions, cancer prevention, and health equity with a particular emphasis on trainees underrepresented in the sciences.
Dr. Reitzel has been instrumental in securing >$40 million in interdisciplinary sponsored research as a Principal or Co-Investigator, with >$9 million as Principal Investigator. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior and the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco and has authored >190 peer-reviewed empirical publications to date.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
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
Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA, Ph.D, Clinical Psychology |
| 1997 | East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA, MA, Clinical Psychology |
| 1995 | Elon University, Elon, NC, USA, BA, Psychology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2005-2007 | Research Fellowship, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2004-2005 | Clinical Internship, Clinical Psychology, Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, Federal Medical Center, Ft. Worth, TX |
Honors & Awards
| 2010 | Clinical Research Loan Repayment Renewal Award Recipient, NIH/NIDA |
| 2009 | Clinical Research Loan Repayment Renewal Award Recipient, NIH/NIDA |
| 2008 | Clinical Research Loan Repayment Renewal Award Recipient, NIH/NIDA |
| 2007 | A. Lavoy Moore Endowed Fund for Lung Cancer Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr |
| 2007 | Fellow of the National Institutes of Health OBSSR 7th Annual Summer Institute on Design and Conduct of Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, National Institutes of Health |
| 2007 | Competitively Selected to Present at the New Investigators Workshop, Annual Meeting of the American Society of Preventive Oncology |
| 2006 | Clinical Research Loan Repayment Award Recipient, NIH/NIDA |
| 2006 | Competitively selected to attend the Public Health Disparities Geocoding Project Training, Harvard School of Public Health |
| 2005 | Graduate Student Research Award, Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers |
| 2002 | University Research Fellowship, Florida State University |
| 2001 | University Research Fellowship, Florida State University |
| 2000 | Presidential University Research Fellowship, Florida State University |
| 1996 | Charles and Patricia Moore Scholarship, East Carolina University |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Strong LL, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Subjective social status and health behaviors among African Americans. American Journal of Health Behavior 37:104-111, 2013.
- Reitzel LR, Lahoti S, Li Y, Cao Y, Wetter DW, Waters AJ, Vidrine JI.. Neighborhood vigilance, Health Locus of Control, & Smoking Abstinence. American Journal of Health Behavior 37:334-341, 2013.
- Reitzel LR, Kendzor DE, Castro Y, Cao Y, Businelle MS, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Li Y, Cinciripini PM, Ahluwalia JS, Wetter DW. The relation between social cohesion and smoking cessation among black smokers, and the potential role of psychosocial mediators. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 45:249-257, 2013.
- Reitzel LR, Etzel CJ, Cao Y, Okuyemi KS, Ahluwalia JS. Associations of Menthol Use with Motivation and Confidence to Quit Smoking. American Journal of Health Behavior 37:629-634, 2013.
- Cuevas AG, Reitzel LR, Cao Y, Nguyen N, Wetter DW, Adams CE, Watkins KL, Regan SD, McNeill LH. Mediators of discrimination and self-rated health among African Americans. American Journal of Health Behavior 37:745-754, 2013.
- Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Zafereo ME, Li G, Wei Q, Sturgis EM. Neighborhood deprivation and clinical outcomes among head and neck cancer patients. Health Place 18(4):861-868, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22445028.
- Whembolua GL, Davis JT, Reitzel LR, Guo H, Thomas JT, Goldade K,Okuyemi KS, Alhuwalia JS. Subjective Social Status Predicts Smoking Abstinence among Light Smokers of Low Socioeconomic Status. American Journal of Health Behavior 36:639-646, 2012.
- Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Cao Y, Mazas CA, Li Y, Ahluwalia JS, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Neighborhood perceptions are associated with tobacco dependence among African American Smokers. Nicotine Tob Res 14:786-793, 2012.
- Reitzel LR, Cromley EK, Li Y, Cao Y, Dela Mater R, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. The effect of tobacco outlet density and proximity on smoking cessation. American Journal of Public Health 101:315-320, 2011.
- Wetter DW, McClure JB, Cofta-Woerpel L, Costello T, Reitzel LR, Businelle MS, Cinciripini PM. A randomized clinical trial of a palmtop computer-delivered treatment for smoking relapse prevention among women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 25:365-371, 2011.
- Reitzel LR, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Li Y, Cao Y, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Castro Y, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Subjective social status predicts long-term smoking abstinence. BMC Public Health 11:135, 2011.
- Heppner WL, Ji L, Reitzel LR, Castro Y, Correa-Fernandez V, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Dolan-Mullan P, Velasquez MM, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Greisinger A, Wetter DW. The role of prepartum motivation in the maintenance of postpartum smoking abstinence. Health Psychology 30:736-745, 2011.
- Reitzel LR, McClure JB, Cofta-Woerpel L, Mazas CA, Cao Y, Cinciripini PM, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Wetter DW. The efficacy of computer-delivered treatment for smoking cessation. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 20:1555-1557, 2011.
- Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Cao Y, Vidrine JI, Daza P, Dolan Mullen P, Velasquez MM, Li Y, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Race/Ethnicity moderates the effect of prepartum menthol cigarette use on postpartum smoking abstinence. Nicotine Tob Res 12:1305-1310, 2011.
- Roberts JC, Li G, Reitzel LR, Wei Q, Sturgis EM. No evidence of sex-related survival disparities among head and neck cancer patients receiving similar multidisciplinary care: A matched-pair analysis. Clin Cancer Res 16(20):5019-5027, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20943762.
- Kendzor DE, Businelle MS, Costello TJ, Castro Y, Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Mullen PD, Velasquez MM, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Wetter DW. Breastfeeding is associated with postpartum smoking abstinence among women who quit smoking due to pregnancy. Nicotine Tob Res 12(10):983-8, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20713441.
- Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Reitzel LR, Costello TJ, Cofta-Woerpel L, Li Y, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Cinciripini PM, Greisinger AJ, Wetter DW. Mechanisms linking socioeconomic status to smoking cessation: A structural equation modeling approach. Health Psychol 29(3):262-273, 2010. PMID: 20496980.
- Reitzel LR, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Li Y, Cao Y, Businelle MS, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Subjective social status affects smoking abstinence during acute withdrawal through affective mediators. Addiction 105(5):928-936, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20219054.
- Kendzor DE, Businelle MS, Costello TJ, Castro Y, Reitzel LR, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Li Y, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Cinciripini PM, Greisinger AJ, Wetter DW. Financial strain and smoking cessation among racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Am J Public Health 100(4):702-706, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20167886.
- Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Costello TJ, Li Y, Daza P, Mullen PD, Velasquez MM, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Preventing Postpartum Smoking Relapse Among Diverse, Low Income Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nicotine Tob Res 12(4):326-335, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20154055.
- Reitzel LR, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Li Y, Cao Y, Wetter DW. Acculturative and neighborhood influences on subjective social status among Spanish-Speaking Latino immigrant smokers. Soc Sci Med 70(5):677-683, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20044186.
- Kendzor DE, Businelle MS, Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Costello TJ, Cinciripini PM, Ahluwalia JS, Wetter DW. Pathways between socioeconomic status and modifiable risk factors among African American smokers. J Behav Med 32(6):545-57, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19757014.
- Castro Y, Reitzel LR, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Mazas CA, Li Y, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Acculturation differentially predicts smoking cessation among Latino men and women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 18(12):3468-3475, 2009. PMID: 19959697.
- Waters AJ, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini P, Li Y, Marcus MT, Vidrine JI, Wetter DW. Associations between mindfulness and implicit cognition and self-reported affect. Subst Abus 30(4):328-337, 2009. PMID: 19904668.
- Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Cinciripini P, Li Y, Marcus MT, Waters AJ, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW. Associations of mindfulness with nicotine dependence, withdrawal, and agency. Subst Abus 30(4):318-327, 2009. PMID: 19904667.
- Chen LM, Li G, Reitzel LR, Pytynia KB, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Sturgis EM. Matched pair analysis of race or ethnicity in outcomes of head and neck cancer patients receiving similar multidisciplinary care. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2(9):782-791, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19737985.
- Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Costello TJ, Cofta-Woerpel L, Li Y, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Ahluwalia JS, Wetter DW. Light versus heavy smoking among African-American men and women. Addict Behav 34(2):197-203, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18976867.
- Reitzel LR, Costello TJ, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Li Y, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Low-level smoking among Spanish-speaking Latino smokers: Relationships with demographics, tobacco dependence, withdrawal, and cessation. Nicotine Tob Res 11(2):178-84, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19246627.
- Kendzor DE, Costello TJ, Li Y, Vidrine JI, Mazas CA, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Businelle MS, Wetter DW. Race/Ethnicity and Multiple Cancer Risk Factors Among Individuals Seeking Smoking Cessation Treatment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17(11):2937-2945, 2008. PMID: 18990734.
- Kendzor DE, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Mazas CA, Li Y, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Costello TJ, Businelle MS, Ahluwalia JS, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Socioeconomic Status, Negative Affect and Modifiable Cancer Risk Factors in African American Smokers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17(10):2546-2554, 2008. PMID: 18842995.
- Reitzel LR, Vidrine JI, Li Y, Mullen PD, Velasquez MM, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel L, Greisinger A, Wetter DW. The Influence of Subjective Social Status on Vulnerability to Postpartum Smoking Among Young Pregnant Women. Am J Public Health 97(8):1476-82, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17600249.
- Rowan PJ, Cofta-Woerpel L, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Evaluating Reactivity to Ecological Momentary Assessment During Smoking Cessation. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 15(4):382-9, 2007. PMID: 17696685.
- Reitzel LR, Carbonell JL. The Effectiveness of Sexual Offender Treatment for Juveniles as Measured by Recidivism: a Meta-Analysis. Sex Abuse 18(4):401-21, 2006. PMID: 17136623.
- Reitzel LR, Stellrecht NE, Gordon KH, Lima EN, Wingate LR, Brown JS, Wolfe AS, Zenoz LM, Joiner TE. Does Time Between Application and Case Assignment Predict Therapy Attendance or Premature Termination?. Psychological Services 3:51-60, 2006.
- Stanley S, Reitzel LR, Wingate LR, Cukrowicz KC, Lima EN, Joiner TE. Mindfulness: A Primrose Path for Therapists Using Manualized Treatments?. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 20:327-35, 2006.
- Lima EN, Stanley S, Kaboski B, Reitzel LR, Richey A, Castro Y, Williams FM, Tannenbaum KR, Stellrecht NE, Jakobsons LJ, Wingate LR, Joiner TE. The Incremental Validity of the MMPI-2: When Does Therapist Access Not Enhance Treatment Outcome?. Psychol Assess 17(4):462-8, 2005. PMID: 16393012.
- Minnix J, Reitzel LR, Repper KK, Burns AB, Williams F, Lima E, Cukrowicz KD, Kirsch L, Joiner TE. Total Number of MMPI-2 Clinical Scale Elevations Predicts Premature Termination After Controlling for Intake Symptom Severity and Personality Disorder Diagnosis. Personality and Individual Differences 38:1745-55, 2005.
- Cukrowicz KC, White B, Reitzel LR, Burns AB, Driscoll K, Kemper T, Joiner TE. Improved Treatment Outcome: Associated with the Shift to Empirically Validated Treatments in a Graduate Training Clinic. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 36:330-7, 2005.
- Brown JS, Stellrecht NE, Williams FM, Denoma JM, Wingate LR, Lima EN, Reitzel LR, Joiner TE. A Comparison of Therapy Alone versus Therapy and Medication in a Community Clinic. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 19:309-16, 2005.
- Reitzel LR, Burns AB, Repper KK, Wingate LR, Joiner TE. The Effect of Therapist Availability on the Frequency of Patient-Initiated Between-Session Contact. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 35:291-6, 2004.
- Driscoll KA, Cukrowicz KC, Reitzel LR, Hernandez A, Petty SC, Joiner TE. The Effect of Trainee Experience in Psychotherapy on Client Treatment Outcome. Behavior Therapy 34:165-77, 2003.
- Reitzel LR, Harju BL. Influence of Locus of Control and Custody Level on Intake and Prison Adjustment Depression. Criminal Justice and Behavior 27:625-44, 2000.
Invited Articles
- Irvin Vidrine J, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW. The role of tobacco in cancer health disparities. Curr Oncol Rep 11(6):475-481, 2009. PMID: 19840525.
- Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW.. Smoking and health disparities. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports 3:403-408, 2009.
- Kroner D, Mills J, Reitzel LR, Dow E, Aufderheide D, Railey MG. Directions for Violence and Sexual Risk Assessment in Correctional Psychology. Criminal Justice and Behavior 34:906-18, 2007.
- Magaletta PR, Morgan RD, Reitzel LR, Innes C. Toward the One: Strengthening Behavioral Sciences Research in Corrections. Criminal Justice and Behavior 34:933-44, 2007.
- Wormith JS, Althouse R, Simpson M, Reitzel LR, Fagan TJ, Morgan RD. The Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders: The Current Landscape and Some Future Directions for Correctional Psychology. Criminal Justice and Behavior 34:879-92, 2007.
Book Chapters
- Reitzel LR, Shultz SA. CBASP: Applications to Correctional Settings. In: Simple Treatment for Complex Problems: A Flexible Treatment Approach to Psychological Difficulties and Disorders. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Mahwah, NJ, 2004.
Books (edited and written)
- Cukrowicz KC, Burns AB, Minnix J, Reitzel LR, Joiner TE (Eds.). Simple treatment for complex problems: A patient workbook. Center Circle Press: Tallahassee, FL, 2005.
- Driscoll KA, Cukrowicz KC, Reardon M, Joiner TE & Associates (Reitzel LR). Simple treatment for complex problems: A flexible treatment approach to psychological difficulties and disorders. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Mahwah, NJ, 2004.
Letters to the Editor
- Reitzel LR, Costello TJ, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Li Y, Cofta-Woerpel L, Wetter DW. Response to Dr. DiFranza's Letter. Nicotine and Tobacco Research 11: 1124-1125, 2009.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Pathways Linking Social Determinants and Smoking Cessation |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Reducing Tobacco Related Health Disparities |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Enhancing Quit and Win Contests to Improve Cessation among College Smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Menthol Cigarettes, Tobacco Dependence, and Smoking Cessation |
| Funding Source: | FDA Center for Tobacco Products |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | The Effects of Neighborhood Characteristics on Smoking Cessation |
| Funding Source: | Centers for Disease Control (CDC) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Neighborhood and Individual Determinants of Smoking Cessation Among Hispanics |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCMHD |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Peer Support Motivational Interviewing Physical Activity Intervention for African-American Women |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Oral Cancer Risk Reduction Through Combined Treatment for Tobacco and Alcohol Use |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |