KINGSTON, R.I. – April 21, 2020 – The following äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾ experts are available for media interviews on different aspects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Health Disparities
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Steve Cohen is a social epidemiologist and applied public health demographer. Most recently, Cohen led the which examined how various social determinants of health can affect life expectancy. Cohen’s research focuses on socioeconomic and demographic disparities in informal, family caregiving as well as how social factors and place-based characteristics associated with health, health behaviors, and health care services can affect older as well as the broader population. ProfessorÌýCohenÌýcanÌýspeak to health disparities related to COVID-19 among different racial and ethnic groups, groups of varying socio-economic status, and rural vs urban populations.Ìý
Infectious disease
Professor of Pharmacy Jeffrey Bratberg is a public health and infectious disease expert. As a former member of the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps, he has traveled to the scene of major disasters to provide prescription drug-related assistance to disaster victims, including having assisted with the H1N1 swine flu epidemic in Rhode Island and the response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. Currently he and his students are assisting the Rhode Island Department of Health in contact tracing and case investigation of COVID-19 cases.
U.S. Economy
Professor of Economics Richard McIntyre is political economist whose research focuses on comparative and international political economies, labor relations and labor standards, and contemporary heterodox economics. In addition to serving as chair of the department, McIntyre has been an editor, reviewer and contributor to multiple books and academic journals. McIntyre can discussÌýeconomic response to the crisis in the U.S. and other countries, class structure, labor economics and current economic policy and aid packages.
Rhode Island Economy
Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro is an expert on the state and national economy whose monthly Current Conditions Index (CCI) has long been a barometer of Rhode Island’s economic outlook. Lardaro is frequently interviewed by local media outlets on the state and national and financial markets, and has been a contributor to publications such as Business Economics, The Providence Journal and Providence Business News. The CCI, published monthly by the Providence Business News and other outlets, is the longest running economic analysis of Rhode Island. Lardaro can address the effect of the crisis on the Rhode Island economy.
Politics and Fall Elections
Emily Lynch is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and teaches classes in American Politics, Public Opinion, Congress, and the Presidency. With publications in the Journal of Communication and Political Behavior, Lynch’s research interests include political psychology, public opinion, Congress, and political communication. She can speak about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the political process and upcoming 2020 elections, as well as concerns over voter participation and disenfranchisement.Ìý
Infection control
Professor of Nursing Diane Cocozza Martins, Ph.D., RN, is an expert on public health and community health nursing, along with treating vulnerable populations that are already at risk for poor health. At äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾, Martins has been a faculty fellow in numerous areas, including geriatrics and gerontology, the President’s Partnership for Food, Hunger and Nutrition, and in Public Service and Ethics. Her research and scholarly work include studying vulnerable populations in the community. She has co-authored articles on such areas as risk and vulnerability, elder abuse, and nursing education strategies.
Psychology
Professor of Psychology Ellen Flannery-Schroeder is an expert on the nature of anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adults. As Director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Anxiety Lab at the äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾, she researches the development, maintenance and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorder. As the Director of Training in Clinical Psychology she has expertise in individual, family and group approaches to treating anxiety and depression. Flannery-Schroeder can offer guidance for those trying to manage their own (or their children’s) stress and anxiety during this difficult time.
Parenting and Early Childhood
Phyllis Penhallow is a senior lecturer and academic advisor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies focusing both on parenting and early childhood education. As a Certified Family Life Educator, Penhallow will be hosting an open forum, parent support webinar every Wednesday evening in April during which she will answer questions, bring up topics, offer suggestions and strategies, and provide general and remoteÌýsupport to parents with childrenÌýagesÌýbirth-age 5. She can provide guidance for parents now working from home with younger children and speak to confronting the challenge of homeschooling, ways to keep kids activeÌýand engaged, as well as how to talk with younger children about what is happening.
To schedule an interview, contact:
Anthony LaRoche, äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾ Communications, at (401) 874-4894, or anthony_laroche@uri.edu,
or Dawn Bergantino, äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾ Communications, at (401) 874-4147, or dawn_bergantino@uri.edu