Brian Flynn, Sc.D.

Research Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry
Director of Office of Health Promotion Research
Leader of VCC Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program

Research Program: Cancer Prevention & Control
VCC Membership Level: Member Scientist

Contact Information

Office of Health Promotion Research
1 South Prospect Street
UHC, Room 4425
Burlington, VT 05401

ph: (802) 656-4108
f: (802) 656-8826
Brian.Flynn@uvm.edu

Biography

Dr. Flynn's research has focused on evaluation of health behavior change interventions in community settings. These have included studies focused on cigarette smoking prevention and cessation, and mammography and colorectal cancer screening. He recently began collaborations with other investigators focused on physical activity in young children in child care settings and use of non-motorized transportation.

Research

Dr. Flynn's research has focused on the design and evaluation of interventions for substance use prevention and cessation and on other important health behavior change problems using a variety of methods including community organization, mass media, and health professional training. With respect to cancer, Dr. Flynn's studies have focused on prevention and cessation of tobacco use, behavior and attitudes regarding genetic testing for cancer risk assessment, breast cancer screening, and colon cancer screening.

Recent Publications

Wood ME, Stockdale A, Flynn BS: Interviews with primary care physicians regarding taking and interpreting the cancer family history. Accepted for publication, Family Practice, 2008.

Marcy TW, Kaplan B, Connolly SW, Michel G, Shiffman RN, Flynn BS: Iterative design and testing of a decision support system for tobacco use counseling. Accepted for publication, Informatics in Primary Care, 2008.

Geller BM, Skelly J, Dorwaldt AL, Howe K, Dana G, Flynn BS. Increasing patient-physician communication about colorectal cancer screening in rural primary care practices. Accepted for publication, Medical Care 2008.

Solomon LJ, Bunn JY, Flynn BS, Pirie PL, Worden JK, Ashikaga T: Mass media for smoking cessation in adolescents. Health Education & Behavior [E-published 29 June 2007].

Flynn BS, Worden JK, Bunn JY, Dorwaldt AL, Connolly SW, Ashikaga T: Youth audience segmentation strategies for smoking prevention mass media campaigns based on audience appeal. Health Education & Behavior, 34(4):578-593, 2007.

Solomon LJ, Bunn JY, Pirie PL, Worden JK, Flynn BS: Self-efficacy and outcome expectations for quitting among adolescent smokers. Addictive Behaviors 31:1122-1132, 2006.

Flynn BS, Worden JK, Bunn JY, Dorwaldt AL, Dana GS, Callas PW: Mass media and community interventions to reduce alcohol use by early adolescents. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 67:66-74, 2006.

Marcy TW, Skelly J, Shiffman RN, Flynn BS: Physician and clinic manager perspectives on the Guideline for Tobacco Use Treatment and facilitating adherence with computer-mediated decision support systems. Preventive Medicine 41:479-487, 2005.

Danigelis NL, Worden JK, Flynn BS, Skelly JM, Vacek PM: Increasing mammography screening among low-income African American women with limited access to health information. Preventive Medicine 40:880-887, 2005.

Secker-Walker RH, Holland RR, Lloyd CM, Pelkey D, Flynn BS: Cost-effectiveness of a community-based research project to help women quit smoking. Tobacco Control 14(1):37-42. 2005.

Solomon LJ, Flynn BS: Telephone support for pregnant smokers who want to stop smoking. Health Promotion Practice 6(1):105-108, 2005.

Solomon LJ, Marcy TW, Howe KD, Skelly JM, Reinier K, Flynn BS: Does extended proactive telephone support increase smoking cessation among low income women using nicotine patches? Preventive Medicine 40:306-313, 2005.

Other Key Publications

Worden JK, Mickey RM, Vacek PM, Flynn BS, Solomon LJ, Secker-Walker RH, Skelly J, Danigelis NL, Geller BM, Warner SL, Clark RA, Foster RS, Vezina L, Hooper G: Evaluation of a community breast screening promotion program. Preventive Medicine 35:349-361, 2002.

Flynn BS, Goldstein AO, Solomon LJ, Bauman KE, Gottlieb NH, Cohen JE, Munger MC, Dana GS: Predictors of state legislators' intentions to vote for cigarette tax increases. Preventive Medicine 27:157-165, 1998.

Flynn BS, Worden JK, Secker-Walker RH, Pirie PL, Badger GJ, Carpenter JH: Long-term responses of higher and lower risk youths to smoking prevention interventions. Preventive Medicine 26:389-94, 1997.

Flynn BS, Dana GS, Goldstein AO, Bauman KE, Gottlieb NH, Cohen JE, Solomon LJ, Munger MC: State legislators' intentions to vote and subsequent votes on tobacco control legislation. Health Psychology 16:401-404, 1997.

Flynn BS, Gavin P, Worden JK, Ashikaga T, Gautam S, Carpenter J: Community education programs to promote mammography participation in rural New York State. Preventive Medicine 26:102-108, 1997.

Flynn BS: Measuring community leaders' perceived ownership of health education programs - initial tests of validity and reliability. Health Education Research 10(1):27-36, 1995.

Flynn BS, Worden JK, Secker-Walker RH, Badger GJ, Geller BM, Costanza MC: Prevention of cigarette smoking through mass media and school programs. American Journal of Public Health 82:827-834, 1992.