Ivette A. López

Ivette A. López, PhD, MPH

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Family & Preventive Medicine

Divisions: Public Health

Ivette Amelia López, PhD, MPH is a Professor of Public Health at University of Utah Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. She is also the Director of the Utah Area Health Education Centers. Dr. López was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and came to the United States mainland to pursue an advanced education. She is, and has been for over three decades, a dedicated professional in pursuit of health equity for Latinos and other disadvantaged populations in the United States. From AIDS (the epidemic that drew her to public health) to diabetes, obesity causal explanations among minority women, to Latina breast cancer survivorship, her research and service are dedicated to engage minority communities in finding solutions to their health burdens.

Dr. Lopez earned her PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, MPH in Public and Community Health Services from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, and BA in Social Work and Sociology from Seton Hill University.

She resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and daughter.

Research Statement

My work and research have focused on addressing health problems, principally: Type 2 diabetes, physical activity, obesity, heart disease, sexually transmitted infections, breast cancer, food environment, Alzheimer’s disease, and environmental contexts of health.

Research interests include: Latino health, Latina and African American women’s health, community-based mixed research and pedagogy, cultural humility, health literacy, and racial and ethnic disparities in higher education and health academic faculty/administration.

Education History

Undergraduate Seton Hill University
 BA
Graduate Training University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
 MPH
Doctoral Training University of South Florida College of Public Health
 PhD

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Hu Q, Chang C, Rowe K, Snyder J, Deshmukh V, Newman M, Fraser A, Smith K, Gren LH, Porucznik C, Stanford JB, Gaffney D, Henry NL, Lopez IA, Hashibe (2021). Disparities in cardiovascular disease risk among Hispanic breast cancer survivors in a population-based cohort. JNCI cancer spectrum, 5(2),
  2. Akin-Odanye EO, Kaninjing E, Ndip RN, Warren CL, Asuzu CC, Lopez IA, Muiruri C, Vilme (2021). Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on students at institutions of higher learning. 8(6), 112-127.
  3. Hu Q, Chang CP, Rowe K, Snyder J, Deshmukh V, Newman M, Fraser A, Smith K, Gren LH, Porucznik C, Stanford JB, Gaffney D, Henry NL, Lopez I, Hashibe (2021). Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors in a Population-Based Cohort. JNCI cancer spectrum, 5(2),
  4. Crowther, V.B., Suther, S.G., Weaver, J.A., Gwede, C.K., Dutton, M., Cui, D.o.n.g.m.i.n.g., Lopez, I.A. (2020). An exploratory study of the likelihood of adopting genetic counseling and testing for Lynch Syndrome-related colorectal cancer among primary care physicians in Florida. J Health Dispar Res Pract, 13(3).
  5. Mathis AL, Dutton M, Lopez IA, Becker A, Brown C (2019). After implementation of the ACA-Coverage gaps among rural Latinos still remain. 16(1), 9.
  6. Kaninjing., E..., Lopez, I.A., Nguyen, J., Odedina., F..., Young.e, M...e. (2018). Prostate cancer screening perception, beliefs and practices among men in Bamenda, Cameroon. Am J Mens Health, 1-10.
  7. Green FN, Lopez IA, Simmons M (2018). Obstructive sleep apnea among truck drivers: Danger in American roads. 15(1), 75-82.
  8. Rodriguez, J.E., Lopez, I.A., Campbell, K.M., Dutton, M. (2017). The Role of Historically Black College and University Medical Schools in Academic Medicine. J Health Care Poor Underserved, 28(1), 266-278.
  9. Solomon S, Suther SG, Lopez IA, Ashford A, Amankwaa LC, et a (2017). Meaning of Pregnancy Terms Among African-American Women. 22(5), 1237-50.
  10. Simmons M., Simmons J, Lopez IA, et al (2017). Exploring the influence of Historically Black College/Universities (HBCUs) in the creation of a diverse cardio-pulmonary science workforce. 14(1), 18-28.
  11. Reed KS, Baker C, Simon AA, Dalal R, Stewart EC., Lopez IA, Brown-Cross D (2017). The use of a yoga intervention to reduce obesity in school-aged children in the Florida Big Bend. 14(1), 5-12.
  12. Vilme, H., Lopez, I.A., Walters, L., Suther, S., Brown, C.P., Dutton, M., Barber, J. (2015). Perspectives of Stakeholders on Implementing a Farm-to-University Program at an HBCU. Am J Health Behav, 39(4), 529-39.
  13. Boston PQ, Lopez IA, Harper (2015). Diversity-Grown: Participatory Evaluation of a Community Gardening Initiative Through Photovoice. Practicing anthropology, 37, 37-8.
  14. Dutton M, Lopez IA, Brown CP, Simmons (2015). Interdisciplinary Synergy in the Teaching of Applied Community Based Research Methods. Pedagogy in health promotion,
  15. Darensbourg LR, Lopez IA, Dutton MT, Brown C (2015). Knowledge and perceptions of HPV vaccine among African American college students. 12(5), 1-7.
  16. Lopez, I.A., Boston, P.Q., Dutton, M., Jones, C.G., Mitchell, M.M., Vilme, H. (2014). Obesity literacy and culture among African American women in Florida. Am J Health Behav, 38(4), 541-52.
  17. Wilson M, Rahman SMM, Lopez IA, Kiros GE, James DCS, Dignan M (2014). Perceived parental support and self-efficacy for avoiding sedentary behaviors and overweightness among African American children. Universal journal of public health, 2(1), 1-9.
  18. Simmons J, Lee T, Simmons M, Lopez I (2014). Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes towards Victims of Sexual Trafficking. 11(1), 10.
  19. Jones CG,Lee TC, Lopez I (2014). Perceived Susceptibility and Prevention Attitudes of African- American College Students’ toward Type 2 Diabetes.
  20. Zarate R, Becker A, Lopez IA, Schauben J (2012). Children’s vulnerability related to chlorine exposure, container confusion, and mixing household cleaners – Florida, 2006-2008. 9(1), 11.
  21. Ashford A, Kiros G, Lopez I (2010). Trends and Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening Among Women in Florida: Analysis of 2001 and 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. 7(1), 5.
  22. Allen CM, Butler ES, Negusei N, Hart C, Lopez IA, Harris CM, Ralston (2010). Translating hemoglobin A1c scores across an ethnically diverse population: Is the language consistent across all races?. 7(1), 15.
  23. Lopez, I.A. (2009). Adios a ojos de ambar (Farewell to amber eyes). J Loss Trauma, 14(5), 347-63.
  24. Armstrong S, Ashford A, Lopez IA, Brown C (2009). Exploring the effect of sexual education on sexual health risk behaviors: An analysis of the 2003 and 2007 YRBS.
  25. Brown, C.P., Ross, L., Lopez, I.A., Thornton, A., Kiros, G.E. (2008). Disparities in the receipt of cardiac revascularization procedures between Blacks and Whites: An analysis of secular trends. Ethn Dis, 18(S2), 112-7.
  26. Lopez, I.A., Bryant, C.A., McDermott, R.J. (2008). Influences on physical activity participation among Latinas: an ecological perspective. Am J Health Behav, 32(6), 627-39.
  27. García, J., Salcedo, A.L., Lopez, I.A., Baer, R.D., Dressler, W., Weller, S.C. (2007). “Diabetes is my companion”: Lifestyle and self-management among food and poor control Mexican diabetic patients. Soc Sci Med, 64(11), 2223-35.