Deborah Pearlman's substantive research interests are in advancing a deeper understanding of how fundamental causes of disparity (e.g., socioeconomic position, residential racial segregation) influence health over the lifespan. Her current research examines whether race is associated with health outcomes when measures of neighborhood-level poverty are taken into account. Dr. Pearlman's publications include cancer screening, prenatal HIV testing, domestic violence, and children's health.

Biography

Dr. Pearlman received her Ph.D. in Health Policy at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, with a concentration in quantitative research methods and program evaluation. Her substantive research interests are in advancing a deeper understanding of how fundamental causes of disparity influence health over the lifespan. She also is involved in the design and evaluation of community-based programs to improve health outcomes of children (asthma) and adults (asthma, diabetes, CVD, arthritis). Three HIV-specific evaluations are under the auspices of the Rhode Island Department of Health Office of HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. Two projects focus on improving linkage, engagement, and retention in care of HIV+ individuals who have dropped out of care. A third project focuses on individuals at high risk of HIV infection who may be unaware of their HIV status. Dr. Pearlman is recognized nationally for her work in women's health and to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes.

Institutions

Brandeis University

Research Description

Women's health
Primary areas: breast cancer, cervical cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, HIV, obesity, violence toward women
Purpose: Analysis of population-level data with the goal of identifying racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes that affect women.

Children's health
Primary areas: asthma, obesity
Purpose: Analysis of population-level data with the goal of identifying racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes that affect children 6-17 years.

HIV
Primary areas: depression, immune health
Purpose: Analysis of HIV patient population to understand how coping processes affect the relationship between stressful situations and psychological and immunological well-being during the first year of medical care (Dr. Sally Zierler, Principal Investigator).

Awards

Editorial Board, American Journal of Preventive Medicine
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
Dates: 1996-present

Guest Editor

American Journal of Preventive Medicine. November 2000; 19(4)
"Violence Against Women: Changing Clinical Practice and Public Policy"

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. August 1998; 9(3)
"The Health of Poor and Underserved Women"

American Journal of Preventive Medicine. September-October 1996; 12(5)
"Women's Health in the 1990's"

Affiliations

Northeast Epidemiology Association, 2005-present
American Public Health Association, 1990-present

Women's Caucus
American Public Health Association
Washington, D.C.
Dates: 1999-present

Funded Research

Comprehensive Cancer Control in Rhode Island
Funding source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Prevention and Control Program, U55/CCU121976-03
Funding period: September 30, 2002-June 29, 2007
(John P. Fulton, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Rhode Island Department of Health)

Rhode Island Women's Cancer Screening Program and Title 15 Treatment Act
Funding source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Prevention and Control Program, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, U55/CCU121976-03
Funding period: September 30, 2002-June 29, 2007
(John P. Fulton, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Rhode Island Department of Health)

State Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases
Funding source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U58/CCU119309-03
Funding period: October 1, 2004-September 30, 2008
(John P. Fulton, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Rhode Island Department of Health)

Overweight and Asthma in Children: Twin challenges for Public Health
Funding source: Brown University Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Award
Funding period: July 1, 2004-June 31, 2005
(Deborah N. Pearlman Ph.D., Principal Investigator)

Teaching Experience

Faculty advisor for senior honors thesis, Department of Community Health

Faculty advisor for Master of Public Health, Public Health Program

Selected Publications

• Pearlman DN, Zierler S, Meersman S, Kim HK, Viner-Brown SI, et al. Race disparities in childhood asthma: Does where you live matter? J Natl Med Assoc. 2006 Feb; 98 (2) Children's Health Special Edition 239-247. Accessed on the web at: URL: http://www.nmanet.org/JMNA_Journal_Articles/feb-06-jnma/JNMA0239_0248-3.pdf(2006)
• Kramer E, Pearlman DN, Menon N, Woodford ML. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Women's Preventive Health Practices. HEALTH BRIEF. Women's Health in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, July 2006. Accessed on the web at: http://www.mass.gov/dph/fch/asets/women_health_brief.pdf http://www.mass.gov/dph/fch/asets/women_health_brief.doc(2006)
• Pearlman DN, Averbach AR, Zierler S, Cranston K. Disparities in prenatal HIV testing: evidence for improving implementation of CDC screening guidelines. J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 Jul;97(7) Supplement – HIV/AIDS in Racial and Ethnic Minorities 44S-51S. Accessed on the web at: URL: http://www.nmanet.org/JMNA_Journal_Articles/july05_JNMA/HIV_supplement/JulyHIVsupplOS44S.pdf(2005)
• Pearlman DN, Dowling E, Bayuk C, Cullinen, K, Thacher AK. From concept to practice: Using the School Health Index to create healthy school environments in Rhode Island elementary schools. Prev Chronic Dis. 2005 Nov;2 Spec no:A09. Epub 2005 Nov 1. Accessed on the web at: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/nov/05_0070.htm(2005)
• Gjelsvik A, Verhoek-Oftedhal W, Pearlman DN. Domestic violence incidents with children witnesses: Findings from the Rhode Island surveillance data. Womens Health Issues. 2003 Mar-Apr;13:68-73.(2003)
• Pearlman DN, Zierler S, Gjelsvik A, Verhoek-Oftedhal W. Neighborhood environment, racial position and risk of domestic violence: A contextual analysis. Public Health Reports. 2003 Jan-Feb;118(1):44:58.(2003)
• Pearlman DN, Camberg L, Wallace LJ, Symons P, Finison L. Tapping youth as agents for change. Evaluation of a peer leadership HIV/AIDS intervention. J Adolesc Health. 2002 Jul;31:31-9.(2002)
• Clark MA, Rakowski W, Ehrich B, Rimer BK, Velicer WF, Dube CE, Pearlman DN et al. The effect of a stage-matched, tailored intervention on repeat mammography. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2002 Jan;22(1):1-7.(2002)
• Verhoek-Oftedahl W, Pearlman DN, Babcock JC. Improving surveillance of intimate partner violence by use of multiple data sources. Am J Prev Med. 2000 Nov;19(4):308-15.(2000)
• Pearlman DN, Clark MA, Rakowski W, Ehrich B. Screening for breast and cervical cancers: The importance of knowledge and perceived survivability. Women Health. 1999;28(4):93:112.(1999)
• 13. Experton B, Ozminkowski RJ, Pearlman DN, Li Z, Thompson SK. How does managed care manage the frail elderly? The case of hospital readmissions in fee-for-service versus HMO systems. Am J Prev Med. 1999 Apr;16 (3): 163-72.(1999)
• Rakowski W, Ehrich B, Goldstein MG, Rimer BK, Pearlman DN, et al. Increasing mammography among women aged 40-74 by use of a stage-matched, tailored intervention. Prev Med. 1998 Sept-Oct;27(5 Pt 1):748-56.(1998)
• Clark MA, Rakowski W, Ehrich B, Pearlman DN, et al. Stages of adopting regular screening mammography: Do women differ in decisional balance within stages? J Health Psychol. 1998;3(4):491-506.(1998)
• Pearlman DN, Rakowski W, Clark MA, Ehrich B, Rimer BK, et al. Why do women's attitudes toward mammography change over time? Implications for physician-patient communication. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1997 Jun;6(6):451-7.(1997)
• Rakowski W, Clark MA, Pearlman DN, Ehrich B, Rimer BK, et al. Integrating pros and cons for mammography and Pap testing: Extending the construct of decisional balance to two behaviors. Prev Med. 1997 Sept-Oct;26 (5 Pt 1):664-73.(1997)
• Pearlman DN, Branch L, Ozminkowski RJ, Experton B, Li Z. Transitions in health care use and expenditures among the frail elderly by payor/provider type. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1997 May;45(5):550-7.(1997)
• Pearlman DN, Rakowski W, Ehrich B, Clark MA. Breast cancer screening practices among black, Hispanic, and white women: Reassessing differences. Am J Prev Med. 1996 Sept-Oct;12(5):327-37.(1996)
• Pearlman DN, Rakowski W, Ehrich B. Mammography, clinical breast exam, and pap testing: Correlates of combined screening among women aged 50-75. Am J Prev Med. 1996 Jan-Feb;12(1):57-64.(1996)
• Rakowski W, Ehrich B, Dube CE, Pearlman DN, et al. Screening mammography and constructs from the Transtheoretical Model: Associations using two definitions of the stages-of-adoption. Ann Behav Med. 1996;18(2):91-100.(1996)
• Pearlman DN, Rakowski W, Ehrich B. The information environment of women and mammography screening: Assessing reciprocity in social relationships. J Womens Health. 1995;4(5):541-53(1995)
• Rakowski W, Pearlman D, Rimer BK, Ehrich B. Correlates of mammography among women with low and high socioeconomic resources. Prev Med. 1995 Mar;24(2):149-58.(1995)
• Book chapter Rakowski W, Pearlman DN, Murphy J. Demographic aspects of aging: Current and future trends. In W. Reichel (ed.). Clinical Aspects of Aging. 4th Edition, Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins. 1995, 488-495.(1995)
• Book chapter Rakowski W, Pearlman DN, Murphy J. Successful aging: Psychosocial factors and implications for primary care geriatrics. In W. Reichel (ed.). Clinical Aspects of Aging. 4th Edition, Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins. 1995, 463-472.(1995)
• Pearlman DN, Crown W. Alternative sources of social support and their impacts on institutional risk. Gerontologist. 1992 Aug;32(4):527-35.(1992)
• Pearlman DN, Mahoney DF, Callahan JJ. A shortage of long-term care workers: Effects on clients with dementia. Am J Alzheimer's Care, Related Disorders and Research. 1991;6(5):9-15.(1991)