Monica Wang
Profiles

Monica L. Wang, ScD

Associate Professor, Community Health Sciences - Boston University School of Public Health

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Biography

Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is globally and nationally recognized as a researcher, educator, and thought leader on health equity, racial justice, and community-based research targeting chronic diseases. Dr. Wang has generated over $6 million in federal and foundation funding for her program of research and published over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts and policy documents. Her prior leadership roles included serving as Chair of the Narrative Office at the BU Center for Antiracist Research and Chair of the Civic and Public Engagement Committee at the Society of Behavioral Medicine. One of her current studies is a randomized controlled trial of a youth empowerment intervention to reduce consumption of sugary drinks and obesity risk through youth narratives. As an expert in curriculum development, case-based teaching, and digital learning design, Dr. Wang has developed and taught graduate courses on the social determinants of health at Harvard and Boston University since 2010.

Dr. Wang has received numerous national, regional, and institutional awards for her research, teaching, and service, including the 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Award from the National Minority Quality Forum, the Society of Behavioral Medicine Leading the Narrative Award, the Society of Behavioral Medicine Early Investigator Award, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award, and the Boston University School of Public Health Excellence in Teaching Award and Excellence in Public Health Practice Award. At the national level, she advanced science communication initiatives through her former role as Chair of the Civic and Public Engagement Committee of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Wang has served as a consultant to one of the largest social media companies in the world on COVID-19 health misinformation management. Her work and insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, The Boston Globe, and CBS. She obtained her doctoral and master's degrees from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Other Positions

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Policy & Management - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
  • Chair of Narrative Office, Center for Antiracist Research - Boston University
  • Member, Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research - Boston University

Education

  • Harvard School of Public Health, ScD Field of Study: Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Harvard School of Public Health, MS Field of Study: Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Tufts University, BA Field of Study: Public Health

Websites

Classes Taught

  • SPHSB806

Publications

  • Published on 9/3/2024

    Narcisse MR, Wang ML, Stanford FC, Schwarz AG, McElfish PA. Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Age-Varying Association Between Adherence to 8-5-2-1-0 Guidelines in Adolescents with High BMI. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Sep 03. PMID: 39227545.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 8/27/2024

    Pagoto SL, Goetz JM, Xu R, Wang ML, Palmer L, Lemon SC. Randomized non-inferiority trial comparing an asynchronous remotely-delivered versus clinic-delivered lifestyle intervention. Int J Obes (Lond). 2024 Aug 27. PMID: 39191926.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 5/22/2024

    Narcisse MR, Wang ML, Schootman M, DelNero P, Schwarz AG, McElfish PA. Physical activity among cancer survivors: do neighborhood walkability and metropolitan size play a role? J Cancer Surviv. 2024 May 22. PMID: 38775900.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 5/1/2024

    Wang ML, Gago CM. Shifts in Child Health Behaviors and Obesity After COVID-19. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 May 01; 178(5):427-428. PMID: 38436952.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 4/16/2024

    Wang ML, Gago CM, Rodriguez K. Digital Redlining-The Invisible Structural Determinant of Health. JAMA. 2024 Apr 16; 331(15):1267-1268. PMID: 38497952.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 3/4/2024

    Wang ML, Narcisse MR, Togher K, McElfish PA. Job Flexibility, Job Security, and Mental Health Among US Working Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Mar 04; 7(3):e243439. PMID: 38526492.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 2/27/2024

    Wang ML, Poulin O, McKinney H. Aligning Employee Health and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in the Workplace: A Call for Synchronization. Am J Health Promot. 2024 Feb 27; 8901171241233398. PMID: 38411461.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 2/23/2024

    Wang ML, Gomes A, Rosa M, Copeland P, Santana VJ. A systematic review of diversity, equity, and inclusion and antiracism training studies: Findings and future directions. Transl Behav Med. 2024 Feb 23; 14(3):156-171. PMID: 37857367.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 2/1/2024

    Wang ML, Togher K. Health Misinformation on Social Media and Adolescent Health. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Feb 01; 178(2):109-110. PMID: 38079180.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 12/13/2023

    Wang ML. Health misinformation is rampant on social media: here's what it does, why it spreads, and what we can do about it. The Conversation. 2023.

     Read At: Custom

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News & In the Media

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