Haeok Lee

Faculty

Haeok Lee headshot

Haeok Lee

FAAN PhD RN

Professor

1 212 998 5714

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Haeok Lee, FAAN, PhD, RN, is a professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is an experienced nurse behavioral scientist with extensive clinical and research experience with populations affected by health disparities. Her research has played a critical role in the national and global recognition of health disparities, especially related to cervical and liver cancers among Asians and Africans. Prof. Lee is currently the site PI on an NIH/NIA-funded grant (R56 AG069130) for the Asian Ancestry Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease Study. Lee is particularly interested in culturally linguistically responsive and theory-based storytelling narrative interventions tailored to targeted racial/ethnic minority populations. Her research, which is noteworthy for its theoretical base, holds considerable promise for the development of practice guidelines and interventions for improving health communication and changing health behaviors to move toward global health equity. She has conducted her studies globally with colleges in several countries.

Before joining the faculty at NYU Meyers, she was a nursing professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 2008–2022. She was also on faculty at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Case Western Reserve University. She mentors faculty, postdoctoral scholars, PhD students, and undergraduate students from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds from diverse disciplines. She has sponsored overseas visiting scholars.

Among her many honors, Lee received the 2022 American Nurses Association, Massachusetts Excellence in Nursing Research Awards. She was honored by Choson University, South Korea as the 2012 Excellent Chosun Alumni for Contributions in Education and Social Justice. She has provided advice to the Korean Nurses Association as a Senior Advisor in Global Health as well as has served on several NIH review panels in the areas of vaccination behavior, HIV/AIDs, and global health.

Lee earned her PhD from the University of California San Francisco, a Master in Nursing Education from Yonsei University, and a BSN from Chosun University. She received a postdoctoral fellowship from the University of California San Francisco, Clinical Cardiology.

The concepts of health inequality, disparities and equity in the era of population health

Lee, H., Kim, D., Lee, S. A., & Fawcett, J. (2020). Applied Nursing Research, 56. 10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151367

Exploring Complicity of Cervical Cancer Screening in Malawi: The Interplay of Behavioral, Cultural, and Societal Influences

Lee, H., Mtengezo, J., Kim, D., Makin, M., Kang, Y., Malata, A., & Fitzpatrick, J. (2020). Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 7(1), 18-27. 10.4103/apjon.apjon_48_19
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Cervical cancer is preventable, and early diagnosis is possible using low-cost technologies, but a scant number of women receive cancer screening in Malawi. This study aims to identify facilitators and barriers that influence the uptakes of cervical cancer screening behavior in Malawi. Methods: A rapid ethnographic approach with the goal of optimizing planning for a future intervention study was utilized. Data were collected from three focus groups and seven individual interviews with adults in their communities, stakeholders, and health-care providers. Results: Three categories (sociocultural influences, access to the health-care system, and individual factors) have emerged as facilitators or barriers to cervical cancer screening among Malawian women. The findings also showed that cervical cancer screening behavior is situated socially through cultural and health-care services of a given community. Conclusions: Cancer screenings are only sought when illness symptoms persist or worsen. Awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening is low among both health-care providers and the general population. Health-care systems are donor driven and focus on a single disease, health-care access is the greatest challenge to cervical cancer screening, and health-care providers are not adequately prepared to work for rapid increase in the prevalence of cervical cancer. Integrating cervical cancer screening into the existing health-care system is sustainable way forward, and nurses prepared to handle cervical cancer management can play an essential role to promote cervical cancer screening in a health resource-constrained setting.

A Storytelling Intervention in a Mobile, Web-Based Platform: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Preliminary Effectiveness to Promote Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Korean American College Women

Kim, M., Lee, H., Kiang, P., Aronowitz, T., Sheldon, L. K., Shi, L., & Allison, J. J. (2020). Health Education and Behavior, 47(2), 258-263. 10.1177/1090198119894589
Abstract
Abstract
Korean American women have substantially greater incidence rates of cervical cancer and the lowest rates of cervical cancer screening in the United States. However, there has been minimal research to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among this population. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate preliminary effectiveness of a storytelling video intervention using mobile, Web-based technology. One hundred and four Korean American college women were randomized to the experimental group (storytelling video) or the comparison group (information-based written material). The effects of the intervention were assessed immediately postintervention and at the 2-month follow-up. Both groups improved in knowledge of and attitude toward the HPV vaccine at the postintervention. At the 2-month follow-up, the experimental group was twice as likely to receive the HPV vaccine compared to the comparison group. This preliminary evidence supports the use of a storytelling video intervention and shows substantial promise for further development and testing in larger scale studies.

Cancer screening and diagnostic tests in global contexts: Case study and concept analysis

Lee, H., Lee, S. Y., Mtengezo, J. T., Makin, M. S., Park, J. H., & Thompson, L. (2019). Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6(1), 86-93. 10.4103/apjon.apjon_59_18
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Although the purposes and outcomes of screening and diagnostic tests are different, they are often confused. Therefore, it is important to delineate the clinical concept of cancer screening tests to be clear in our communication not only among healthcare professionals but also with client populations. The aim of this study is to both describe and analyze the concept of cancer screening and explain their practical meaning in global contexts. Methods: Comparative case studies of cervical and liver cancer screening tests were used as the basis for developing an understanding of a specific concept (phenomenon) of cancer screening and for delineating the relationships between factors that cause screening to occur. Results: A cancer screening is defined as an action taken by both the patient and health-care provider to detect a possible pre-cancerous condition among healthy and asymptomatic individuals who are at sufficient risk of a specific disorder to warrant further investigation or treatment. The case study-based concept analysis has been shown to be useful for improving our understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of the concept in global contexts. Conclusions: New paradigms maximizing participation in cancer screening to detect diseases before symptoms are manifested rather than focusing on diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic infectious diseases need to be developed and implemented.

Development and acceptability of a peer-paired, cross-cultural and cross-generational storytelling HPV intervention for Korean American college women

Kim, M., Lee, H., Kiang, P., & Allison, J. (2019). Health Education Research, 34(5), 483-494. 10.1093/her/cyz022
Abstract
Abstract
Although Korean American women have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, currently there are limited culturally relevant intervention strategies for improving primary prevention of cervical cancer by promoting HPV vaccination in this population. This study reports the development of a cross-cultural, cross-generational storytelling HPV intervention using a peer-paired method, in which two storytellers interactively share their stories, as a particular innovation that might resonate with Korean American young women. The acceptability of the intervention was assessed by self-reported satisfaction and endorsement with the intervention in a pilot randomized control trial (RCT). We compared participants' responses to the intervention by their generation and cultural identity. One hundred and four Korean college women between the ages of 18-26 were recruited from the Northeastern US Participants randomized to the intervention group received a storytelling video (n = 54); the comparison group received written information (n = 50). The acceptability of the intervention was measured immediately post-intervention. The intervention group had significantly greater satisfaction than the comparison group (P < 0.05). Participants reported greater endorsement for videos that reflected their cultural and generational experiences. Future study is needed to examine the impact of such interventions on objective follow-up on HPV vaccination in a large-scale RCT.

HPV Vaccination and Korean American College Women: Cultural Factors, Knowledge, and Attitudes in Cervical Cancer Prevention

Kim, M., Lee, H., Kiang, P., Aronowitz, T., Sheldon, L. K., Shi, L., Kim, S., & Allison, J. (2019). Journal of Community Health, 44(4), 646-655. 10.1007/s10900-019-00634-9
Abstract
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection that leads to nearly all cervical cancers in the United States (U.S.), which could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. Korean American women experience a high burden of cervical cancer, but little is known about their awareness, knowledge, attitudes, sociocultural factors and social network/support related to intention to obtain the HPV vaccine. This study reports baseline characteristics of 104 Korean American college women aged 18–26 and who have not been previously vaccinated against HPV, as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial testing feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an HPV storytelling intervention. Data were analyzed including descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to understand the relationship between independent predictors of intention to receive HPV vaccination. Overall, 34.6% of participants intended to obtain the vaccine. Positive predictors of intention to receive HPV vaccine were: years in the U.S., academic major, awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine, knowledge, and HPV recommendation by healthcare provider and parents. The multivariate logistic model showed that intention to receive the HPV vaccine was significantly associated with HPV vaccine recommendation by parents (OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.37–15.36) and knowledge (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.11–1.22). These findings suggest a need for development of interventions that are not only culturally tailored but also acculturation-sensitive to promote HPV vaccination among Korean American college women. This may play a significant role in cervical cancer prevention among Korean American college women.

Korean nurses’ adherence to safety guidelines for chemotherapy administration

Kim, O., Lee, H., Jung, H., Jang, H. J., Pang, Y., & Cheong, H. K. (2019). European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 40, 98-103. 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.04.002
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Nurses are at risk from handling chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to determine adherence to safety guidelines for chemotherapy administration by Korean nurses and to examine the relationship between the hospital safety climate and nurses' adherence to safety guidelines. Method: A descriptive, correlational design with a cross-sectional survey using data from the Korea Nurses' Health Study. For this study, participants included 872 female nurses who had administered chemotherapeutic agents to patients in the last 30 days. Results: Only a quarter of the participants had high adherence to the safety guidelines, while the majority had moderate to low adherence. The absence of job hindrances and feedback/training – two sub-factors of the hospital safety climate – enhanced the likeliness for nurses to comply with the safety guidelines by almost 1.3 and 1.7 times, respectively. Conclusion: The results imply that the hospital safety climate, particularly feedback/training, and the absence of job hindrances are significantly correlated with adherence to the safety guidelines for chemotherapy administration. Therefore, organisational and policy support is needed to improve the hospital safety climate.

Resilience in Koreans with Cancer: Scoping Review

Lee, S. Y., Lee, H., Fawcett, J., & Park, J. H. (2019). Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 21(5), 358-364. 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000543
Abstract
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Korea. However, there has been no previous nursing literature review on the phenomenon of resilience among cancer patients in Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify information about theories, instruments, correlates, and outcomes of resilience in the cancer experiences of Korean adults. This was a scoping review that searched Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, DBpia, and the Korean Studies Information Service System between 2000 and 2016 in order to identify English and Korean research reports. The review yielded 17 quantitative studies, including 2 resilience theories and 6 resilience-specific instruments. The factors self-efficacy, hope, social supports, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were associated with resilience, regardless of the type of cancer. Quality of life and coping were commonly investigated outcome variables for resilience. This review suggests that a nursing theory reflecting Korean culture and qualitative research concerning the phenomenon of resilience should be conducted as research priorities as the foundation for developing culturally appropriate tools for resilience. This will lead to enhanced quality of life among Korean cancer patients, which is the core of palliative nursing care.

Using narrative intervention for HPV vaccine behavior change among Khmer mothers and daughters: A pilot RCT to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness

Lee, H., Kim, M., Cooley, M. E., Kiang, P. N. C., Kim, D., Tang, S., Shi, L., Thiem, L., Kan, P., Peou, S., Touch, C., Chea, P., & Allison, J. (2018). Applied Nursing Research, 40, 51-60. 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.12.008
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose To develop a theory-guided culturally grounded narrative intervention to promote HPV vaccination behavior and examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the intervention among dyads of Cambodian American mothers and daughters. Method The principles of community-based participatory research guided the development and evaluation and involved two phases: Phase 1: Development of storytelling narrative intervention videos which focused on a series of HPV vaccination-related messages and which integrated the narrative theory with the revised network episode model (rNEM); Phase 2: conducting the pilot RCT with 19 dyads of Khmer mothers and daughters aged from 14 to 17 years to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the study. Findings Recruitment was completed in 7 months with an overall retention of 84%. The acceptability of the intervention was high, as reflected by the number of positive comments on the narrative video. Preliminary data indicate that vaccine uptake at one-month follow-up was the same (2 vs. 2) between intervention and control groups. However, daughters in the narrative intervention group reported higher intention to receive HPV vaccination within one month compared to the control group (4 vs. 1). Conclusion All the procedures to inform a full RCT were examined, including identification of eligible participants, recruitment, randomization, intervention adherence, and short-term follow-up. The positive preliminary outcomes and feedback support the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the theory-guided narrative intervention.

Development of a theory-guided storytelling narrative intervention to improve HPV vaccination behavior: Save Our Daughters from Cervical Cancer

Lee, H., Kim, M., Allison, J., & Kiang, P. (2017). Applied Nursing Research, 34, 57-61. 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.02.018