Hyunsung Oh

Associate Professor,

School of Social Work (SSW)

Other ASU affiliations

Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions

hyunsung@asu.edu

Mail code: 3920

Campus: Dtphx
‌

Long Bio

I investigate mental health, health disparities, and community engagement techniques to mitigate the adverse affects of structural inequities and barriers to care that disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities and those with severe mental illness. For this research, I combined transdisciplinary theories and empirical evidence from social science, social work, and public health and developed a research portfolio to answer important issues necessary for building multilayered culturally competent treatments for health disparity groups. Particularly, I focus on social determinants of health (SDOH) to explain racial/ethnic minority and immigrant disparities in health outcomes and access to health care. To advance current understanding of multilevel factors contributing to health disparities, I used social network analysis (SNA) to evaluate interpersonal connections as a way by which societal norms and attitudes pertinent to health care utilization are transmitted and adopted (2U54MD002316-11; NIH/NIMHD). My study has been financed by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an indication of the significance and quality of my research ideas. I am honored to be a 2020 Health Disparities Research Institute scholar who received a week-long training, an effort of the NIMHD Director to promote early career health disparities academics. I am also a Co-Principal Investigator for NIH-funded RADx-UP program study addressing the significant barriers Latinx, AI, and AA experience disproportionately in gaining access to COVID-19 testing (3U54MD002316-14S1). The project aims to eliminate disparities in access to COVID-19 testing in Arizona by establishing cross-sectoral collaboration networks. I contributed to the development of a protocol for Community Health Worker (CHW)-led testing outreach in underserved communities. Listening to the perspectives of communities affected by health disparities and acting swiftly to make improvements during the most difficult pandemic has been an invaluable learning experience.

Education

Ph.D. Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 2014
M.S.W. Social Work, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea 2009
B.A. Social Work and Economics, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea 2007

Curriculum Vitae

Google Scholar URL

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=it1YNUIAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Interests

I am a health disparities and community-engage researcher who seeks to develop evidence-based culturally congruent interventions to mitigate negative impacts of structural inequities disproportionately affecting Latinx and other health disparities groups in the Southwest region of the United States. For this research, I integrated transdisciplinary theories and empirical evidence from social science, social work, and public health and built research portfolio to answer significant questions necessary to answer in developing multilevel culturally competent interventions for the health disparities groups. In particular, I focus on social determinant of health (SDOH) in explaining gaps in health outcomes and access to health care burdening racial/ethnic minorities and immigrants. To expand state-of-art knowledge about multilevel factors contributing to health disparities, I deployed social network analysis (SNA) to assess interpersonal connections as means by which social norms and beliefs relevant to health care use are disseminated and adopted (2U54MD002316-11; NIH/NIMHD). My research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), which is an acknowledgement of significance and rigor of my research ideas. I am proud to be a 2020 Health Disparities Research Institute scholar who received a week-long training, a NIMHD Director’s initiative to support early career health disparities scholars.

I am a Co-PI of the RADx-UP NIH initiative funded research to address daunting challenges that Latinx, AI, and AA disproportionately face while access to COVID-19 testing (3U54MD002316-14S1). The project aims to eliminate disparities in access to COVID-19 testing in Arizona through cross-sectoral collaboration networks brought together units within the university – health disparities researchers and bio-engineers specialized in saliva-based testing – and well-known community health providers – Equality Health Foundation (EHF) and a coalition of providers of color- to deliver culturally competent COVID-19 testing programs across Arizona. This RADx-UP project is led by Dr. Flavio Marsiglia and I am serving the Executive Committee as Co-PI with him. In specific, I am responsible for identifying Community of Urgent Testing Needs (CUTN) by using GPS-based Integrated Mapping system with multiple layers of data showing epidemiological information as well as SDOH. I led to developing a protocol of culturally congruent Community Health Worker (CHW)-led testing outreach being executed in underserved communities, including Maryvale Village, South Mountain community, Yuma, San Luis, and Eloy. Listening to the voices from the health disparities communities and taking action to make changes promptly during the most challenging pandemic has been an invaluable learning experience.

Publications

REFREED PUBLICATIONS (*: Correspondence author; +: Graduate student)

23. Oh, H.*, Kim, M., Kim, J., Choi, H., Kim, H. S., Holley, L. & Kweon, O.-Y. (in press). Lack of continuity of care experienced by people diagnosed with schizophrenia in South Korea. Health & Social Care in Community.

22. Oh, H.*, Um, M. Y., & Garbe, R. (in press). Social networks and chronic illness management among low-income tenants in publicly subsidized housing. Social Work in Public Health

21. Oh, H.* (2020). Book Review: Evidence-based practices for social workers: An interdisciplinary approach. Research on Social Work Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731520964853

20. Lopez, K., & Oh, H. (in press). Developmental disabilities in the context of Fragile Families: Racial and ethnic disparities at age 9. Social Work Research

19. Oh, H*, Poola, C.+, Messing, J., Ferguson, K., & Bonifas, R. (in press). Correlates of attitudes toward evidence-based practice among MSW students preparing direct practice. Journal of Social Work Education.

18. Oh, H.*, Trinh, M., Vang, C.+, & Becerra, D. (2020) Addressing barriers to access primary care for Latinos in the U.S.: An agent-based model. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 11(2), 165-184.

17. Oh, H. & Park, S.* (2020). Gender and stress-buffering of social capital toward depression among precarious workers in South Korea. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation, 66(1), 53-62.

16. Xiang, X., An, R., & Oh, H. (2020). The bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and homebound status among older adults. The Journal of Gerontology: Series B, 75(2), 357-366.

15. Holley, L., Oh, H., & Thomas, D.+ (2019). Mental illness discrimination and support experienced by people who are of color and/or LGB: considering intersecting identities. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 89(1), 16-26.

14. Oh, H* (2019). Continuity of care, a tenet for providing community-based services in the era of deinstitutionalization: Experience of Arizona, United States, Global Social Security Review, 9, 34-47. (Not Scored Impact Factor in 2018; Published in Korean & English; you can access to the English version via the link following; https://www.kihasa.re.kr/english/publications/eng_review/list.do?menuId=109&tid=96&bid=99&aid=12)

13. Oh, H., & Ell, K. (2018). Associations between changes in depressive symptoms and social support and diabetes management among low-income, predominantly Hispanic patients in patient-centered care. Diabetes Care, 41, 1149-1156.

12. Oh, H.,* & Jeong, C. (2017). Korean immigrants don’t buy health insurance: The influences of culture on self-employed Korean immigrants focusing on structure and functions of social networks. Social Science and Medicine, 191, 194-201.

11. Cederbaum, J. A., Wilcox, S. L., Oh, H., Sullivan, K. S., Ell, K., & Hassan, A. M. (2017). The role of service member mental health and marital satisfaction in post-deployment family reintegration. Military Behavioral Health, 5, 364-373.

10. Ell, K., Aranda, M. P., Wu, S., Oh, H., Lee, P., & Guterman, J., (2017). Promotora assisted depression and self-care management among predominantly Latinos with concurrent chronic illness: Safety net care system clinical trial results. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 61, 1-9

9. Oh, H.*, Ell, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2017). Self-care behavior change and depression among low-income predominantly Hispanic patients in safety-net clinics. Social Work in Health Care, 56, 714-732.

8. Oh, H.*, & Ell, K. (2016). Depression remission, receipt of problem-solving therapy, and self-care behavior frequency among low-income, predominantly Hispanic diabetes patients. General Hospital Psychiatry. 41, 38-44.

7. Ell, K., Aranda, M. P., Wu, S., Oh, H., Lee, P., & Guterman, J. (2016). Promotora assisted depression care among predominately Hispanic patients with concurrent chronic illness: Public care system clinical trial design. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 46, 39-47.

6. Ell, K., Oh, H., & Wu, S. (2016). Integrating biopsychosocial intervention research in a changing health care landscape. Research on Social Work Practice, 26, 28-34.

5. Kintzle, S., Oh, H., Wilcox, S., Hassan, A. M., Ell, K., & Castro, C. A. (2015). Civilian unemployment and mental health: The moderating impact of alcohol misuse in returning National Guard. Military Medicine, 180, 986-993.

4. Oh, H.* & Ell, K. (2015). Social support, a mediator in Collaborative Depression Care for cancer patients. Research on Social Work Practice. 25(2), 229-239.

3. Wilcox, S.L., Oh, H., Redmond, S.A., Chicas, J., Hassan, A.M., Lee, P-J., & Ell, K. (2015). A Scope of the problem: Post-deployment reintegration challenges in a National Guard Unit. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation, 50(1), 73-83.

2. Ell, K., Oh, H., Lee, P-J., & Guterman, J. (2014). Collaborative health literate depression care among predominantly Hispanic patients with coronary heart disease in safety net care. Psychosomatics, 55(6), 555-565.

1. Oh, H.*, Ell, K., & Subica, A. (2014). Depression and family interaction among low-income, predominantly Hispanic cancer patients: A longitudinal analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(2), 427-434.

Research Activity

GRANTS (FUNDED)

2021-Present ●Co-Principal Investigator, “Apoyo for Latin American Asylum-Seekers: a Pilot Study.”

●Grant funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

●Total funding: $280,432

●Funding opportunity title: The RADx-UP CDCC Rapid Research Pilot Program

●REC/RID/IIA: 35%/35%/35%

2021-present ●Co-Investigator, “Back to ECE Safely with SAGE: Reducing COVID-19 Transmission in Hispanic and Low-income Preschoolers.”

●Grant funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

●Total funding: $2,998,548

●Funding opportunity title: [OTA-21-007] RADx-UP Return to School Diagnostic Testing Approaches (OT2 Clinical Trial Optional)

●REC/RID/IIA: 5%/5%/5%

2020-present ●Co-Principal Investigator, “Eliminating COVID-19 disparities in Arizona in partnership with underserved/vulnerable communities.” (3U54MD002316-14S1; Leading PI: Flavio F. Marsiglia)

●Grant funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

●Total funding: $4,707,512

●Funding opportunity title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Limited Competition for Emergency Competitive Revisions for Community-Engaged Research on COVID-19 Testing among Underserved and/or Vulnerable Populations (NOT-OD-20-121)

●REC/RID/IIA: 20%/20%/20%

2019-present ●Co-Investigator, “Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center”

●Grant funding agency: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

●Co-PIs: Michael Shafer, Professor at School of Social Work, ASU; Beth Rutkowski, Associate Director of Training/Epidemiologist at UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program (ISAP)

●Direct cost: $450,000 (sub-award: [Pass through UCLA-ISAP]; funded between 03/2018 – 09/2022)

● REC/RID/IIA: 0%/0%/0%

2018-present ●Principal Investigator, “Uncovering Functions of Social Networks Associated with Diabetes Management among Latino Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Social Support, Health Literacy, and Trust in Physicians.”

●Grant funding agency: NIH/NIMHD Specialized Center of Excellence on Minority Health and Health Disparities grant entitled, “Leveraging Bio-Cultural Mechanisms to Maximize the Impact of Multi-Level Preventable Disease Interventions with Southwest Populations” (2U54MD002316-11; PI: Flavio F. Marsiglia) operated by Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC)

●Total direct: $50,000

● REC/RID/IIA: 0%/0%/0%

2019 ●Inaugural Academic Fellow of ASU Knowledge Exchange for Resilience supported by Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

●Total direct: $15,000

● REC/RID/IIA: 0%/0%/0%

2017-2018 ●Principal Investigator, “What social networks keep older adults physically active? A Feasibility study on a participatory group exercise program at a federally subsidized housing.”

Grant funding agency: Obesity Solution

●Student Co-I: Cindy Vang

●Total Direct: $5,000

● REC/RID/IIA: 0%/0%/0%

2015 ●Principal Investigator, “Examining the effects of past experience and culture on health care use among Korean immigrants who are employed by a small business”

●Grant funding agency: Behavior, Health, and Society Research Cluster, School of Social Work University of Southern California

●Multi-PI: C.H. Jeong

●Total Direct: $7,676

● REC/RID/IIA: 0%/0%/0%

Courses

2024 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 321	Statistics for Social Workers
SWU 321	Statistics for Social Workers

2024 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 321	Statistics for Social Workers
SWU 321	Statistics for Social Workers

2023 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 321	Statistics for Social Workers
SWU 493	Honors Thesis

2022 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 458	Behavioral Health Services

2020 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
SWG 531	Social Policy and Services
SWU 458	Behavioral Health Services
SWG 558	Intro Behavioral Hlth Services

2020 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 432	Social Policy and Services
SWU 458	Behavioral Health Services

2019 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
SWU 458	Behavioral Health Services
SWU 458	Behavioral Health Services

Service

ADP committee, member (2015 - Present)
PhD committee, member (2015 - Present)
Research on Social Work Practice, Member of Editorial Board (2015 - 2018)