Haeok Lee

Faculty

Haeok Lee headshot

Haeok Lee

PhD RN FAAN

Professor

1 212 998 5714

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Haeok Lee, FAAN, PhD, RN, is a Professor at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is an experienced nurse behavioral scientist with extensive clinical and research experience focusing on populations affected by health disparities. Her primary research addresses health inequity issues among immigrant populations through theory and community-based participatory research. Prof. Lee is a pioneer in developing cultural and social context specific storytelling videos for encouraging health behavior changes, specifically in immigrant and African populations. 

Lee initiated cancer research and research capacity building based on her Fulbright Scholarship for Africa from 2017-2000 and recently completed an R21 (1R21NR018734) grant, a pilot RCT, and an mHealth delivered storytelling intervention to promote cervical cancer screening among Malawian women living with HIV. Currently, she serves as a site PI of the Asian Cohort Alzheimer’s disease project (ACAD: U19-AG079774) to recruit 5,081 older Asian adults across the U.S. and Canada. The NYU site focuses on working with the Korean American subpopulation. The study collects DNA, plasma biomarkers, and genotypes, as well as social factors and clinical diagnostic information. For more information read the article NYU Meyers joins NIH-funded multisite study of Alzheimer’s disease in Asian Americans.  

Lee mentors faculty, postdoctoral scholars, PhD students, and undergraduate students from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and from various disciplines. She has sponsored overseas visiting scholars.

Post Doctoral fellowship, University of California San Francisco
PhD, University of California San Francisco
MA, Yonsei University School of Education
BSN, Chosun University
American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Public Health
American Alzheimer’s Association
The Greater New York Korean Nurses Association
Distinguished Editorial Board Award, Asian Pacific Journal of Oncology (2024)
American Nurses Association, Massachusetts Excellence in Nursing Research Awards (2022)
The 27th Annual Scientific Conference of Eastern Nursing Research Society (2015)
Fellow of American Academy of Nursing (2013)
The 24th Annual Scientific Conference of Eastern Nursing Research Society (2012)
Excellent Chosun Alumni for Contribution in Education and Social Justice (2012)

Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Malawi: An Integrative Literature Review

Lee, H., Mtengezo, J., Lee, H., & Dokiso Chirwa, M. (2025). In Oncology nursing forum (Vols. 52, Issues 4, pp. 265-280).
Abstract
Abstract
In Malawi, the cervical cancer death rate is eight times that of the global rate. Cervical cancer is preventable by vaccination, screening, and early treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of cervical cancer screening and factors associated with screening uptake among women in Malawi using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative methodologic review framework.

Dementia prevalence and risk factors in people with and without HIV in Malawi : A medical record review

Lee, H., Mlombe, Y., Song, Y. E., Yang, H. S., Phiri, T., Maseke, J., Bauleni, E., Jun, G. R., Choi, Y. B., & Ngoma, J. (2025). In Alzheimer's and Dementia (Vols. 21, Issues 3). 10.1002/alz.70009
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing a rapid increase in its aging population, including people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia among PLHIV and people without HIV (POHIV) in Malawi. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of 400 consecutive patients from a single tertiary health center (200 PLHIV from an HIV clinic and 200 POHIV from an outpatient clinic) in Lilongwe, Malawi. RESULTS: The overall rate of dementia was higher in PLHIV than that in POHIV (22% vs 10%; p = 1.4e). Older age, unknown employment or unemployed, and depression were significant risk factors for dementia for PLHIV, while older age and depression were significant among POHIV. DISCUSSION: Our study confirmed the increased risk of dementia in PLHIV and provides valuable groundwork for future dementia studies to accurately examine the prevalence and risk factors of dementia in SSA, including Malawi. Highlights: Malawians, in SSA, face the double burden of HIV AD and related dementias. We conducted a retrospective medical record review to assess dementia prevalence and risk factors. Dementia prevalence was higher in PLHIV than in POHIV. Older age, unknown employment or unemployed, and depression were risk factors for dementia in PLHIV. Our findings, reflecting the current diagnosing and medical documenting practice in Malawi, provide valuable groundwork for future dementia research in Malawi.

Dementia prevalence and risk factors in people with and without HIV in Malawi: A medical record review

Lee, H., Lee, H., Mlombe, Y., Song, Y. E., Yang, H.-S. S., Phiri, T., Maseke, J., Bauleni, E., Jun, G. R., Choi, Y.-B. B., & Ngoma, J. (2025). In Alzheimer’s & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association (Vols. 21, Issues 3, p. e70009).
Abstract
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing a rapid increase in its aging population, including people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia among PLHIV and people without HIV (POHIV) in Malawi.

Health behavior and social crisis in the era of COVID-19 in Malawi: A decolonizing approach to a qualitative study

Lee, H., Lee, H., Bauleni, E., Maluwa, V., Lee, S., Mtengezo, J. T., Kamvaunamwali, M., & Mlombe, Y. (2025). In Nursing outlook (Vols. 73, Issue 1, p. 102317).
Abstract
Abstract
The rapid spread and severity of COVID-19 brought major health challenges and dealt a heavy blow to key health services and daily life in Africa, including Malawi.

High inter-rater reliability in consensus diagnoses and overall assessment in the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease Study

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Abstract
Abstract
The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) study is a collaborative investigation of genetic and non-genetic risk factors for AD among Asian Americans and Canadians. Harmonization of diagnostic procedures across recruiting sites will be key to the dataset's efficacy. Forty-two participants who completed the consensus process across seven ACAD recruiting sites were re-reviewed by two further impartial raters. Cohen's Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate inter-rater agreement. The findings reveal the highest level of observed agreement at 88% and a Cohen's Kappa of 0.835, among site consensus participants and two levels of external review, affirming the reliability of our protocol. ACAD has developed a data collection and diagnostic process that allows consistency among sites that serve Asians speaking Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese languages.

Protocol for the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) Study

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Abstract
Abstract
To address knowledge gaps in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) Study will recruit over 5000 participants of Asian descent aged 60 or older in the United States and Canada. The current focus is on participants with Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese ancestry, with the goal of characterizing both genetic and non-genetic risk factors. ACAD has assembled a culturally and linguistically appropriate data collection protocol, as well as a biosample collection protocol. Recruitment strategies follow community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to encourage research participation and engage Asian communities in brain health education.

Translation and cultural adaptation of tools to assess diverse Asian American and Asian Canadian subgroups: The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) Study

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Abstract
Abstract
The availability of sociocultural and language-appropriate study materials and instruments is critical for the assessment of cognitive function in people from diverse backgrounds. This report describes the translations and cultural adaptations of study materials for the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) study.

Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) pilot study on genetic and non-genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease among Asian Americans and Canadians

Ho, P. C., Yu, W. H., Tee, B. L., Lee, W. P., Li, C., Gu, Y., Yokoyama, J. S., Reyes-Dumeyer, D., Choi, Y. B., Yang, H. S., Vardarajan, B. N., Tzuang, M., Lieu, K., Lu, A., Faber, K. M., Potter, Z. D., Revta, C., Kirsch, M., McCallum, J., … Wang, L. S. (2024). In Alzheimer's and Dementia (Vols. 20, Issues 3, pp. 2058-2071). 10.1002/alz.13611
Abstract
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Clinical research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) lacks cohort diversity despite being a global health crisis. The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) was formed to address underrepresentation of Asians in research, and limited understanding of how genetics and non-genetic/lifestyle factors impact this multi-ethnic population. METHODS: The ACAD started fully recruiting in October 2021 with one central coordination site, eight recruitment sites, and two analysis sites. We developed a comprehensive study protocol for outreach and recruitment, an extensive data collection packet, and a centralized data management system, in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. RESULTS: ACAD has recruited 606 participants with an additional 900 expressing interest in enrollment since program inception. DISCUSSION: ACAD's traction indicates the feasibility of recruiting Asians for clinical research to enhance understanding of AD risk factors. ACAD will recruit > 5000 participants to identify genetic and non-genetic/lifestyle AD risk factors, establish blood biomarker levels for AD diagnosis, and facilitate clinical trial readiness. HIGHLIGHTS: The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) promotes awareness of under-investment in clinical research for Asians. We are recruiting Asian Americans and Canadians for novel insights into Alzheimer's disease. We describe culturally appropriate recruitment strategies and data collection protocol. ACAD addresses challenges of recruitment from heterogeneous Asian subcommunities. We aim to implement a successful recruitment program that enrolls across three Asian subcommunities.

Mobile health-delivered narrative intervention to increase cervical cancer screening among Malawian women living with HIV: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Lee, H., Lee, H., Mtengezo, J. T., Makin, M. S. S., Shi, L., Malata, A., Fitzpatrick, J., Ngoma, J., Zhang, L., Larkey, L., Stuart-Shor, E., Mlombe, Y., & Kim, D. (2024). In Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing (Vols. 11, Issues 5, p. 100448).
Abstract
Abstract
This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mobile health (mHealth)-delivered, theory-guided, culturally tailored storytelling narrative (STN) intervention to increase cervical cancer screening among Malawian women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Using community-based geographical information system (GIS) to recruit older Asian Americans in an Alzheimer's disease study

Lee, H., Lee, H., Ha, H., Yim, S., Yang, H.-S. S., Lee, V., Hong, E., Chow, T. W., Park, V. T. T., Wang, L.-S. S., Jun, G., & Choi, Y.-B. B. (2023). In BMJ open (Vols. 13, Issues 8, p. e072761).
Abstract
Abstract
This study aims to show the usefulness of incorporating a community-based geographical information system (GIS) in recruiting research participants for the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) study for using the subgroup of Korean American (KA) older adults. The ACAD study is the first large study in the USA and Canada focusing on the recruitment of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese older adults to address the issues of under-representation of Asian Americans in clinical research.