Dr. Olivia Carter-Pokras

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University of Maryland College Park
School of Public Health
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Associate ProfessorAppointed: 2007
University of Maryland at Baltimore
School of Medicine
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Adjunct Faculty MemberAppointed: 2007
University of Maryland
School of Nursing
Adjunct Faculty MemberAppointed: 2004
Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Epidemiology
Associate Faculty MemberAppointed: 1996

Mailing Address

1240D HHP Bldg.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
School of Public Health
University of Maryland College Park
College Park, Maryland 20742
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (301) 405-8037
Fax: (301) 314-9366
Mobile: (301) 257-6106
opokras@umd.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Epidemiology, 1994.
M.H.S., Johns Hopkins University, Biostatistics, 1982.
B.S., Tulane University, Biology, 1979.

Expertise and Research Interests

Olivia Carter-Pokras, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health. Dr. Carter-Pokras has conducted health disparities research in the Federal government and academia for more than 25 years. She has an extensive history of ensuring that the community has a voice in research conducted at the national and local levels. Dr. Carter-Pokras has published over 50 journal articles, Federal government publications, book chapters and books, and her research has played a critical role in national recognition of health disparities experienced by the Latino community.

The previous Director of the Division of Policy and Data, Office of Minority Health, Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Carter-Pokras has been recognized by the Surgeon General, Assistant Secretary for Health and Latino Caucus of the American Public Health Association for her career achievements to improve racial and ethnic data and develop national health policy. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Maryland College Park, Dr. Carter-Pokras was an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine where she currently serves as adjunct faculty. Dr. Carter-Pokras lectures on epidemiologic methods, cultural competency and health disparities to medical, dental and public health students.

Dr. Carter-Pokras is the Principal Investigator for a NHLBI cultural competency and health disparities academic award at the University of Maryland, and a NICHD community based participatory research grant on oral health of Latino and Ethiopian children and their mothers. She has just completed a state tobacco disparities evaluation project, and is the research director for the new CDC-funded University of Maryland Prevention Research Center. She is currently conducting health assessments of Latinos in Baltimore and Montgomery County in close partnership with local government and community-based organizations. Dr. Carter-Pokras is an elected fellow and member of the Board of Directors for the American College of Epidemiology, and an elected member of the Executive Board of the American Public Health Association.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health of Underserved Populations, Men's Health, Minority Health, Preventive Medicine, Women's Health.

Additional Terms:

Health Disparities, Health Equity, Hispanic Health, Latino Health, Minority Health.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

English: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)
Spanish: (Functional, Functional, Functional)

Memberships

American College of Epidemiology
American Public Health Association
Association for Academic Minority Physicians
Kellogg Health Scholars Multidisciplinary Tract (Advisor)
Latino Caucus of APHA
Latino Health Steering Committee (Montgomery County)
National Latino Tobacco Control Network Advisory Committee

Honors and Awards

2006, Latino Health Initiative, Montgomery County recognition plaque, Montgomery County Government
2005, Montgomery County Executive Certificate of Recognition & Appreciation, Montgomery County Government
2002, Distinguished Career Award, Latino Caucus of APHA
2002, Award for Superior Service, DHHS Assistant Secretary for Health
2000, Distinguished Service Award, DHHS Secretary
1999, Distinguished Service Award, DHHS Secretary
1999, Certificate of Appreciation, NHLBI Director
1999, Special Recognition Award, DHHS Assistant Secretary for Health
1999, Distinguished Service Award, DHHS Secretary
1998, Certificate of Appreciation, Latino Caucus of APHA
1995, World Who's Who of Women, 13th edition; Who's Who in Medicine, 2nd edition; Who's Who in the World, 13th edition,
1995, Certificate of Appreciation, NCHS Minority Health Statistics Grants Program
1994, Who's Who in the East, 25th edition,
1994, Certificate of Appreciation, Surgeon General
1994, Special Recognition Award: Hispanic Health Policy Summit Group, OASH
1993-2002, Outstanding Performance Awards,
1992, Director's Award for EEO/Civil Rights Program Activities, NCHS
1990-1992, Post Certified Student Scholarship, Johns Hopkins
1988-1989, Long-Term Training for Johns Hopkins, NCHS
1986-2001, Quality Service Increase,
1981, Outstanding Young Woman of America,
1981-1982, Training Grant, Public Health Service
1975-1979, Full tuition scholarship, Tulane University
1975, Dorothy Reaves Music Scholarship,

Previous Positions

2002-2006, Associate Professor, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Medicine, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Gender-Based Epidemiology
1997-2002, Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, Policy and Data
1991-1997, Public Health Analyst, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
1982-1991, Health Statistician, National Center for Health Statistics, Health Examination Statistics
1979-1981, Volunteer, Peace Corps, Kisii, Kenya

Funding Received

  • NICHD: Oral Health of Latino and Ethiopian Children and Their Mothers, $316,701 (2 yrs), 2008 to 2010.
  • Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Tobacco Control Evaluation Program, $389,000, 2007 to 2008.
  • Montgomery county government: Perceptions of the Latino Community of Montgomery County Maryland about Emergency Preparedness, $32,000, 2006 to 2006.
  • Maryland Statewide Health Network: General Health Assessment of Latinos in Baltimore, $50,000, 2004 to 2004.
  • NHLBI: Maryland's Approach to Cultural Competency in Healthcare, $537,516, 2004 to 2009.
  • Maryland Statewide Health Network: Supporting Physical Activity For Latina Adolescents., $20,000, 2003 to 2003.
  • Maryland Statewide Health Network: Provision of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services, $10,000, 2003 to 2003.
  • DHHS Office of Minority Health: Paper and Special Journal Issue: Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: What Actions Now?, $41,378, 2003 to 2004.
  • United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Expert Consultant, NCVHS Subcommittee on Populations Report on Health Data Collection and Racial and Ethnic Disparities, $10,800, 2002 to 2003.

Publications

  • Carter-Pokras OD, Spirtas R, Bethune L, Mays V, Freeman VL, Cozier YC (Apr 2009) The training of epidemiologists and diversity in epidemiology: findings from the 2006 Congress of Epidemiology survey., Annals of epidemiology, 19 (4), 268-75 Abstract
  • St Charles M, Weiss Smith SR, Beardsley R, Fedder DO, Carter-Pokras O, Cross RK (Mar 2009) Gastroenterologists' prescribing of infliximab for Crohn's disease: A national survey., Inflammatory bowel diseases Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Delisser H (2009) Introduction, Achieving cultural competency: a case-based approach to training health professionals, Wiley-Blackwell (bookchapter)
  • Carter-Pokras O, Zambrana RE, Yankelvich G, Estrada M, Castillo-Salgado C, Ortega AN (Dec 2008) Health status of Mexican-origin persons: do proxy measures of acculturation advance our understanding of health disparities?, Journal of immigrant and minority health / Center for Minority Public Health, 10 (6), 475-88 Abstract
  • Ryder PT, Wolpert B, Orwig D, Carter-Pokras O, Black SA (Oct 2008) Complementary and alternative medicine use among older urban African Americans: individual and neighborhood associations., Journal of the National Medical Association, 100 (10), 1186-92 Abstract
  • Johnston-Briggs BD, Liu J, Carter-Pokras O, Barnet B (Aug 2008) Effect of partner relationship on motivation to use condoms among adolescent mothers., Journal of the National Medical Association, 100 (8), 929-35 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Brown P, Martinez I, Solano H, Rivera M, Pierpont Y (Apr 2008) Latin American-trained nurse perspective on Latino health disparities., Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society / Transcultural Nursing Society, 19 (2), 161-6 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O (2008) Chapter 2. Patterns of Health Disparities and Strategies to Eliminate Them, Cultural Competency in the Medical Profession, InforMed (bookchapter)
  • Carter-Pokras O (2008) Chapter 1. Cultural Competence Rationale, Context, and Definition, Cultural Competency in the Medical Profession, InforMed (bookchapter)
  • Ortega AN, Fang H, Perez VH, Rizzo JA, Carter-Pokras O, Wallace SP, Gelberg L (Nov 2007) Health care access, use of services, and experiences among undocumented mexicans and other latinos., Archives of internal medicine, 167 (21), 2354-60 Abstract
  • Donovan M, Lunney K, Carter-Pokras O, Cross RK (Aug 2007) Prescribing patterns and awareness of adverse effects of infliximab: a health survey of gastroenterologists., Digestive diseases and sciences, 52 (8), 1798-805 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Zambrana RE, Mora SE, Aaby KA (May 2007) Emergency preparedness: knowledge and perceptions of Latin American immigrants., Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 18 (2), 465-81 Abstract
  • Tolea MI, Black SA, Carter-Pokras OD, Kling MA (Mar 2007) Depressive symptoms as a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures in older Mexican American women., Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA, 18 (3), 315-22 Abstract
  • Amin SB, Handley C, Carter-Pokras O (2007) Indomethacin use for the management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterms: a web-based survey of practice attitudes among neonatal fellowship program directors in the United States., Pediatric cardiology, 28 (3), 193-200 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Zambrana RE, Poppell CF, Logie LA, Guerrero-Preston R (2007) The environmental health of Latino children., Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 21 (5), 307-14 Abstract
  • Zambrana RE, Ayala C, Pokras OC, Minaya J, Mensah GA (2007) Disparities in hypertension-related mortality among selected Hispanic subgroups and non-Hispanic White women ages 45 years and older--United States, 1995-1996 and 2001-2002., Ethnicity & disease, 17 (3), 434-40 Abstract
  • Martinez IL, Carter-Pokras O (Nov 2006) Assessing health concerns and barriers in a heterogeneous Latino community., Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 17 (4), 899-909 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, McClellan L, Zambrana RE (Jun 2006) Surveying free and low-cost survey software., Journal of the National Medical Association, 98 (6), 881-6 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Zambrana RE (Mar 2006) Collection of legal status information: caution!, American journal of public health, 96 (3), 399; author reply 39 Abstract
  • Williams-Brown S, Muntaner C, Carter-Pokras O, Oliver MN (2006) Eliminating Cancer Disparities by Race/Ethnicity: An Analysis of State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans., Journal of the Association of Academic Minority Physicians, 16 (1), 21-27
  • Lie D, Carter-Pokras O (2006) Tool for Assessing Cultural Competence Training (TACCT) Resource Guide., MedEdPORTAL
  • Jovel M, Carter-Pokras O, Ho S, Hirshon JM (2006) Racial and ethnic variation in Maryland hospital admissions from home., Journal of the Association of Academic Minority Physicians, 17, 61-67
  • Carter-Pokras O, Kelley E, Mora S, Crespo C (2006) Supporting physical activity among Latina adolescents., Journal of Latino-Latin American Studies, 2 (2), 33-47
  • Keppel K, Pamuk E, Lynch J, Carter-Pokras O, Kim Insun, Mays V, Pearcy J, Schoenbach V, Weissman JS (Jul 2005) Methodological issues in measuring health disparities., Vital and health statistics. Series 2, Data evaluation and methods research (141), 1-16 Abstract
  • Dogra N, Carter-Pokras O (2005) Stakeholder views regarding cultural diversity teaching outcomes: a qualitative study., BMC medical education, 5, 37 Abstract
  • Scharf SM, Seiden L, DeMore J, Carter-Pokras O (Dec 2004) Racial differences in clinical presentation of patients with sleep-disordered breathing., Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 8 (4), 173-83 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Baquet C, Poppell CF, The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Science Policy and Regulations, Annals of Epidemiology, 14(8), 608-609, September 2004
  • Carter-Pokras O, O'Neill MJ, Cheanvechai V, Menis M, Fan T, Solera A (Sep 2004) Providing linguistically appropriate services to persons with limited English proficiency: a needs and resources investigation., The American journal of managed care, 10 Spec No, SP29-36 Abstract
  • Baquet CR, Carter-Pokras O, Bengen-Seltzer B (Sep 2004) Healthcare disparities and models for change., The American Journal of Managed Care, 10 Spec No, SP5-11 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Baquet C, Poppell C., Four-Year Review Of The Use Of Race And Ethnicity In Epidemiologic And Public Health Research (letter to the editor), American Journal of Epidemiology, 160(4), 403-4, 15 Aug 2004
  • Carter-Pokras O, Baquet CR, Poppell CF (Aug 2004) Re: "Four-year review of the use of race and ethnicity in epidemiologic and public health research"., American journal of epidemiology, 160 (4), 403-4 Abstract
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O, Improving health insurance coverage for Latino children: a review of barriers, challenges and State strategies, Journal of the National Medical Association, 96(4), 508-23, 2004 Abstract
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O (Apr 2004) Improving health insurance coverage for Latino children: a review of barriers, challenges and State strategies., Journal of the National Medical Association, 96 (4), 508-23 Abstract
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O, Valdez RB, Villarruel AM, Nunez N, Drawing from the Data: Working Effectively with Latino. A Guide for Health and Family Support Practitioners, American Academy of Pediatrics and Family Support America, 2004
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O, Latino Health and Behavior, In: Anderson NB (Ed). Encyclopedia of Health and Behavior., January 2004
  • Zambrana Re, Carter-Pokras O (2004) Drawing from the Data: Working Effectively with Latino. A Guide for Health and Family Support Practitioners., American Academy of Pediatrics and Family Support America
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O (2004) Latino Health and Behavior, Encyclopedia of Health and Behavior, Sage Publications (bookchapter)
  • Carter-Pokras O, Baquet C, What is a 'health disparity'?, Public Health Reports (washington, D.c. : 1974), 117(5), 426-34, 2002 Abstract
  • Flores G, Fuentes-Afflick E, Barbot O, Carter-Pokras O, Claudio L, Lara M, McLaurin JA, Pachter L, Gomez FR, Mendoza F, Valdez RB, Villarruel AM, Zambrana RE, Greenberg R, Weitzman M, The health of latino children: urgent priorities, unanswered questions, and a research agenda, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 288(1), 82-90, July 2002 Abstract
  • Flores G, Fuentes-Afflick E, Barbot O, Carter-Pokras O, Claudio L, Lara M, McLaurin JA, Pachter L, Ramos-Gomez FJ, Mendoza F, Valdez RB, Villarruel AM, Zambrana RE, Greenberg R, Weitzman M, Gomez FJ (Jul 2002) The health of Latino children: urgent priorities, unanswered questions, and a research agenda., JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, 288 (1), 82-90 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O. Montgomery L, Health in Context: Social Epidemiology, Public Health Reports, 116(2), 173-175, 2002
  • Flores G, Fuentes-Afflick E, Barbot O, Carter-Pokras O, et al., Health Risks of Latino Children (letter to the editor), Journal of the American Medical Association, 288(16), 1983, 2002
  • Carter-Pokras O, Baquet C (2002) What is a "health disparity"?, Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 117 (5), 426-34 Abstract
  • Flores G, Fuentes-Afflick E, Carter-Pokras O, Claudio L, Lamberty G, Lara M, Pachter L, Ramos Gomez F, Mendoza F, Valdez RB, Zambrana RE, Greenberg R, Weitzman M, Why ethnicity and race are so important in child health services research today, Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 155(10), 1178-9, October 2001 Abstract
  • Flores G, Fuentes-Afflick E, Carter-Pokras O, Claudio L, Lamberty G, Lara M, Pachter L, Ramos Gomez F, Mendoza F, Valdez RB, Zambrana RE, Greenberg R, Weitzman M (Oct 2001) Why ethnicity and race are so important in child health services research today., Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 155 (10), 1178-9 Abstract
  • Crespo CJ, Smit E, Carter-Pokras O, Andersen R, Acculturation and leisure-time physical inactivity in Mexican American adults: results from NHANES III, 1988-1994, American Journal of Public Health, 91(8), 1254-7, August 2001 Abstract
  • Crespo CJ, Smit E, Carter-Pokras O, Andersen R (Aug 2001) Acculturation and leisure-time physical inactivity in Mexican American adults: results from NHANES III, 1988-1994., American journal of public health, 91 (8), 1254-7 Abstract
  • Zambrana RE, Carter-Pokras O (Feb 2001) Health data issues for Hispanics: implications for public health research., Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 12 (1), 20-34 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Zambrana RE (2001) Chapter 2: Latino Health Status, Health Issues in the Latino Community, Jossey-Bass (bookchapter)
  • Crespo CJ, Smit E, Andersen RE, Carter-Pokras O, Ainsworth BE (Jan 2000) Race/ethnicity, social class and their relation to physical inactivity during leisure time: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 18 (1), 46-53 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O (2000) Toward a Healthy Hispanic Population: Healthy People 2010., Crossing Borders in Hispanic Health Care: Implementing and Evaluating Cultural Competence in the Health Workforce, Arlington, Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Nursing (bookchapter)
  • Carter-Pokras O, Woo V, Health profile of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, Ethnicity and Health, 4(3), 117-20, August 1999 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Woo V (Aug 1999) Health profile of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States., Ethnicity & health, 4 (3), 117-20 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Harrison R, Lead poisoning among US Hispanic children, American Journal of Public Health, 86(10), 1479-80, October 1996 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Harrison R (Oct 1996) Lead poisoning among US Hispanic children., American journal of public health, 86 (10), 1479-80 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O (1994) Appendix: Using Vital Statistics to Assess Health Status, Latino Health in the U.S.: A Growing Challenge, Washington DC, American Public Health Association (bookchapter)
  • Ramirez A, Valdez R, Carter-Pokras (1994) Chapter 8: Cancer, Latino Health in the U.S.: A Growing Challenge, Washington DC, American Public Health Association (bookchapter)
  • Carter-Pokras O (1994) Chapter 3: Health Profile, Latino Health in the U.S.: A Growing Challenge, Washington DC, American Public Health Association (bookchapter)
  • Montgomery LE, Carter-Pokras O, Health status by social class and/or minority status: implications for environmental equity research, Toxicology and Industrial Health, 9(5), 729-73, 1993 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras OD, Gergen PJ, Reported asthma among Puerto Rican, Mexican-American, and Cuban children, 1982 through 1984, American Journal of Public Health, 83(4), 580-2, April 1993 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras OD, Gergen PJ (Apr 1993) Reported asthma among Puerto Rican, Mexican-American, and Cuban children, 1982 through 1984., American journal of public health, 83 (4), 580-2 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras OD, Najjar MF, Billhymer BF, Shulman IA (Spring 1993) Alanine aminotransferase levels in Hispanics., Ethnicity & Disease, 3 (2), 176-80 Abstract
  • Montgomery LE, Carter-Pokras O (1993) Health status by social class and/or minority status: implications for environmental equity research., Toxicology and industrial health, 9 (5), 729-73 Abstract
  • Najjar M, Carter-Pokras O (Dec 1992) Clinical chemistry profile data for Hispanics, 1982-84., Vital and health statistics. Series 11, Data from the national health survey (241), 1-53 Abstract
  • Kutz FW, Cook BT, Carter-Pokras OD, Brody D, Murphy RS, Selected pesticide residues and metabolites in urine from a survey of the U.S. general population, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 37(2), 277-91, October 1992 Abstract
  • Kutz FW, Cook BT, Carter-Pokras OD, Brody D, Murphy RS (Oct 1992) Selected pesticide residues and metabolites in urine from a survey of the U.S. general population., Journal of toxicology and environmental health, 37 (2), 277-91 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Pirkle J, Chavez G, Gunter E, Blood lead levels of 4-11-year-old Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban children, Public Health Reports (washington, D.c. : 1974), 105(4), 388-93, 1990 Abstract
  • Carter-Pokras O, Pirkle J, Chavez G, Gunter E (1990) Blood lead levels of 4-11-year-old Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban children., Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 105 (4), 388-93 Abstract
  • Nigg HN, Beier RC, Carter O (1990) Exposure to Pesticides, The Effect of Pesticides on Human Health. Advances in Modern Environmental Toxicology, Princeton NJ, Princeton Scientific Pub Co, Inc (bookchapter)
  • Carter OD, Haynes SG, Prevalence rates for scoliosis in US adults: results from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, International Journal of Epidemiology, 16(4), 537-44, December 1987 Abstract
  • Carter OD, Haynes SG (Dec 1987) Prevalence rates for scoliosis in US adults: results from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey., International journal of epidemiology, 16 (4), 537-44 Abstract
  • Trevino F, Carter O, Gallstone size and the risk of gallbladder cancer, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 251(23), 3080-1, June 1984 Abstract
  • Trevino F, Carter O (Jun 1984) Gallstone size and the risk of gallbladder cancer., JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, 251 (23), 3080-1 Abstract

Profile Details

Last Updated: 5/1/2009

COS Expertise ID #1069169
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/opokras