I believe it is important to communicate the results of my research to both the scientific community and the public, and I welcome the opportunities to engage in discussions with colleagues, the lay public, and journalists. To this end, I publish the results from my research in peer-reviewed journals and I participate in round tables, debates with the public, and scientific conferences in USA and abroad. You can find an updated list of articles published or presented by clicking on the links below.
* Graduate student at the time of the study
Occa A., Merritt A. S., *Leip A., Stapleton J. L. (2023). What influences trust in and understanding of clinical trials? An analysis of information and communication technology use and online health behavior from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Clinical Trials: Journal of the Society for Clinical Trials.
Dragojevic M. Occa A., & *Dayton Z. A. (2023). Effects of character accent on perceived similarity, transportation, and narrative persuasion. Health Communication, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2023.2185926
Occa A., Francis D.B., Grumbein A., & *Stahl H. (2022). Improving enrollment of African Americans in health registries: Identifying and evaluating targeted message strategies. Health Communication, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2124061
Occa A. *Stahl H., & *Bell S. (2022). Helping children to participate in Human Papillomavirus–related discussions: Mixed methods study of multimedia messages. JMIR Formative Research, 6(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.2196/28676
Occa A., *Leip A., Merritt A. S., Stapleton J. L. (2022). Prevalence and correlates of invitation to participate in clinical trials among US adults. Preventive Medicine Report, 26, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101742
Occa, A. & Morgan S. E. (2022). The role of cognitive absorption in the persuasiveness of multimedia messages. Computers and Education, 176, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104363
Francis, D. B., Mason, N. F., & Occa, A. (2021). Young African Americans’ communication with family members about COVID-19: Impact on vaccination intention and implications for health communication interventions. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 9(4), 1550-1556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01094-5
McFarlane S. J., Occa A., Peng W., Morgan S. E., Awonuga O. (2021). Community-based participatory research (CBPR) to enhance participation of racial/ethnic minorities in clinical trials: A 10-year systematic review. Health Communication, 37(9), 1075-1092 https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1943978
Occa A., & *Bell S. I. (2021). Formative research to create culturally appropriate HPV vaccine messages for middle-school children. European Journal of Health Communication, 2(1), 77-98 https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2021.104
Occa A., Morgan S. E. Peng W., Mao B., Julian McFarlane S., Grinfeder K., & Byrne M. (2020). Untangling interactivity’s effects: The role of cognitive absorption, perceived visual informativeness, and cancer information overload. Patient Education and Counseling
Guidry J., Vraga E., Laestadius L. I., Miller C. A., Occa A., Nan X., Ming H., Qin Y., Fuemmeler B., & Carlyle K. E. (2020). HPV vaccine searches on Pinterest: Before and after Pinterest’s actions to moderate content. American Journal of Public Health.
Occa A., Morgan, S.E., Scaglione T.L., Kuzbyt B., & Bookman R.J. (2020). What would an evidence-based tinnitus patient education program look like? Findings from a scoping review. Journal of Communication in Healthcare.
Morgan, S.E., Peng, W., Occa, A., Mao, B., McFarlane, S., Grinfeder, G., Millet, B., and Byrne, M. (2020). Tailored messages about research participation: Using an interactive information aid to Improve study recruitment. Journal of Cancer Education.
Bingjing M., Morgan S. E., Peng W., Occa A., McFarlane S., Grinfeder G., & Byrne M. (2020). What motivates you to share? The effect of interactive tailored information aids on improving information sharing about clinical trials. Health Communication.
Occa A. (2020). Who’s scared of a needle? An exploration of Italian children’s knowledge and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. Journal of Cancer Education. DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01726-0
Zhou C., Occa A., Kim S., Morgan S. E. (2020). A meta-analysis of narrative game-based interventions for promoting healthy behaviors. Journal of Health Communication, 25(1), 54-65, DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2019.1701586
Occa A., Kim S., Carcioppolo N., Morgan S. E., & Anderson D. (2019). A comparison of metaphor modality and appeals in the context of skin cancer prevention. Journal of Health Communication.
Peng, W., Carcioppolo, N., Occa, A., Ali, K., Yang, Q., & Yang, F. (2019). Feel worried, overloaded, or fatalistic? The determinants of cancer uncertainty management preferences. Health Communication.
Peng, W., Occa, A., McFarlane, S. J., & Morgan, S. E. (2019). Are you considering a clinical trial?: A content analysis of the discussions about clinical trials on a cancer-dedicated online forum. Journal of Health Communication.
Occa A. & Morgan S.E. (2019). Animations about clinical trial participation for cancer patients and survivors. Journal of Health Communication.
McFarlane, S.J., Morgan, S.E., Occa A., Peng, W. (2019). An evaluation of clinical trial multimedia to support Hispanic cancer patients' informational and decision-making needs. Journal of Cancer Education.
Peng, W., Morgan S. E., Mao B., McFarlane S., Occa A., Grinfeder, G., & Byrne, M. M. (2019). Ready to make a decision: A model of information aids to improve informed participation in clinical trial research. Journal of Health Communication.
Carcioppolo, N., Peng, W., Lun, D., & Occa, A. (2019). Can a social norms appeal reduce indoor tanning? Preliminary findings from a tailored messaging intervention. Health Education & Behavior.
Carcioppolo, N., Occa, A., & Chudnovskaya, E (in press). When is it OK to joke? Adding Humor to Fear-based Colonoscopy Screening Messages May Increase Compliance. HUMOR: The International Journal of Humor Research.
Evans, C., Suggs, L.S., Turner, K., Occa, A., Juma, A., & Blake, H. (2018). Text Messaging to Promote Uptake of HIV Testing among Migrant African Communities. Health Education Journal.
Chen, Z., Hong, C., Occa, A. (2018). How Different CSR Dimensions Impact Organization-Employee Relationships? Corporate Communications: An International Journal.
Occa A., Morgan S.E., & Potter J.E. (2017). Underrepresentation of Hispanics and other minorities in clinical trials: Recruiters' perspectives. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 1-11.
Morgan S.E., Occa A., Potter J., Mouton A., & Peter M.E. (2017). "You need to be a good listener": Recruiters' use of relational communication behaviors to enhance clinical trials and research study accrual. Journal of Health Communication. 22(2), 95-101.
Rangelov N., Suggs L.S., Occa A., Radchuk O., Schmeil A. (2017). Online Games to Improve Children’s Knowledge of Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines – A Pilot Study. Global Journal of Health Science. 9(4), 134-141.
Occa A., Morgan, S.E. (2016). Coinvolgere i pazienti nella ricerca: integrare le competenze dei reclutatori con le strategie di medici e direttori scientifici. Recenti Progressi in Medicina. 107(11), 602-603.
Morgan, S.E., Occa, A., Mouton A., & Potter, J. (2016). The role of nonverbal behaviors in clinical trial recruitment. Health Communication. 32(4), 461-469.
Morgan, S.E., Mouton, A., Occa, A, & Potter, J. (2016). Clinical trial and research study recruiters’ verbal communication behaviors. Journal of Health Communication. 21(7), 765-772.
Occa, A., & Suggs, L. S. (2015). Communicating Breast Cancer Screening With Young Women: An Experimental Test of Didactic and Narrative Messages Using Video and Infographics. Journal of Health Communication. 21(1), 1-11.
Evans, C., Turner, K., Suggs, L.S., Occa, A., Juma, A., & Blake, H., (2016). Developing a mHealth Intervention to Promote Uptake of HIV Testing Among African Communities in the UK: A Qualitative Study. BMC Public Health. 16(1), 1-16.
Evans C., Turner K., Blake H., Juma A., Suggs L.S., Occa A., (2015). Text messaging to encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities: Findings from a theory based feasibility study, HIV Medicine, 16(Suppl. 2), p.54.
* Graduate student at the time of the study ** Undergraduate student at the time of the study
Stapleton J.L., Carey D., Tolle C., Kim J., Mullett T., Occa A., Ray A.E. A preliminary evaluation of the clinical trial referral ambassadors program to promote clinical trial referrals within rural community hospitals. Submitted for consideration to the ASPO conference 2024.
Occa A., Francis D.B., & *Silwal A. Narrative messages for suicide prevention. To be presented at the 109th annual conference of the National Communication Association.
Occa A., *Chen H., *Stahl H., & *Sesay N. (2023). Communicating about clinical trials on US news media. Presented at the 73rd annual conference of the International Communication Association.
Pilny A., Occa A., Xiang L., *Silwal A., & *Keenneer T. (2023). Compliance towards COVID19 contact tracing: The medium and the message. Presented at the 73rd annual conference of the International Communication Association.
Peng W., Occa A., Morgan S.E. (2023). The effects of animations and multimedia messages on participation in precision medicine. Presented at the 73rd annual conference of the International Communication Association.
Occa A., *Chen H., **Teffeteller K. L. (2022). Using memes to communicate about health: A systematic review. Presented at the 108th annual conference of the National Communication Association.
Occa A., *Merritt A. S., *Leip A., Stapleton J. L. (2022). What influences trust in and understanding of clinical trials? An analysis of HINTS. Presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication 2022.
*Silwal A., *Sesenu F., Occa A. (2022). Evaluating media frames and responsible reporting of suicide in Nepal before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication 2022.
Occa, A. & *Silwal, A. (2022). Design decisions to improve identification with characters and health outcomes in interactive narratives. Presented at the 72nd annual conference of the International Communication Association.
Dragojevic M., Occa A., *Dayton, Z. A. (2022). Effects of character accent on transportation and persuasion in first-person health. Presented at the 72nd annual conference of the International Communication Association. (Top Paper Award).
Occa A. (2021). Television news coverage of clinical trials before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at the 107th annual conference of the National Communication Association.
Occa A. (2021). Covid-19 and perceptions of medical research: An analysis of unsolicited comments to news posts on Facebook. To be presented at the 6th Biennial D.C. Health Communication Conference (DCHC)
Occa A., Francis D.B., Grumbein A., & *Stahl H. (2021) Improving enrollment of African Americans in health registries: Identifying and evaluating targeted message strategies. To be presented at the 71st International Communication Association, Denver, CO, USA
Francis, D. B., Mason, N. F., & Occa, A. (2021). African Americans’ communication with family members about COVID-19 and the vaccine and its impact on intentions to vaccine. To be presented at the 71st International Communication Association, Denver, CO, USA.
Occa A. *Stahl H., & *Bell S. Having fun while getting louder: A feasibility study of theory-based multimedia messages to help children participate in HPV-related discussions. Presented at the 106th annual conference of the National Communication Association (online).
Occa A. (2020). Communication factors influencing cancer patients’ engagement in the design and planning of medical research. Presented at the 106th annual conference of the National Communication Association (online).
Occa A., Francis D., & Grumbein A. (2020). “Formative research to design culturally-sensitive messages about clinical trials and health registries for young African Americans.” Presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication 2020.
Occa A., Morgan S. E. Peng W., Mao B., Julian McFarlane S., Grinfeder K., & Byrne M. (2020). Untangling interactivity’s effects: The role of cognitive absorption, perceived visual informativeness, and cancer information overload. To be presented at the 70th International Communication Association, Gold Coast, Australia.
Occa A. & *Bell S. (2019). Dr. Iguana and me: Using participatory drawings to create HPV vaccine messages for Italian children. Presented to the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD
Occa A. & Morgan S. E. (2018). The Role of Cognitive Absorption in the Persuasiveness of Multimedia Messages. Presented to the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.
Morgan S. E., Peng W., Occa A., Bingjing M., McFarlane S., Grinfeder G., & Byrne M. (2019). Deciding to make a decision: Improving research recruitment through tailored, interactive information about clinical trial participation. Presented to the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.
Bingjing M., Morgan S. E., Peng W., Occa A., McFarlane S., Grinfeder G., & Byrne M. (2019). What motivates you to share? The effect of interactive tailored information aids on improving information sharing about clinical trials. Presented to the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.
Peng, W., Morgan S. E., Mao B., McFarlane S., Occa A., Grinfeder, G., & Byrne, M. (2019). Ready to make a decision: A model of information aids to improved informed participation in clinical trial research. Presented to the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD. (Top Paper Award).
Occa A. (2019). Le campagne di comunicazione sulla corretta alimentazione: uno sguardo globale. Presented to the event “La cultura alimentare 4.0: Alimentazione e consapevolezza nel 21 secolo” sponsored by Università degli Studi dell’Insubria.
Occa A., Morgan S. E., Scaglione T., Kuzbyt B, Bookman R. J. What would an evidence-based tinnitus patient education program look like? Findings from a systematic review. (2019). Presented to the 12th International Tinnitus Research Initiative Conference, Taipei, Taiwan.
Occa A. (2019). Roots and leaves: intergenerational health communication challenges and strategies. Presented to the EASP Meeting on Intergroup Communication, Bologna, Italy.
Guidry J., Vraga E., Ming H., Qin Y., Occa A., Nan X., Carlyle K. E., & Fuemmeler B. (2019). Vaccines among Recipes: A Content Analysis of HPV Vaccine Posts on Pinterest. Presented to the DCHC, Washington D.C., USA.
Occa A. (2019). An exploration of Italian children’s and parents’ information needs about HPV vaccine. Presented to the 69th International Communication Association, Washington D.C., USA.
McFarlane, S.J., Morgan, S.E., Occa A., Peng, W. (2019). Cultural adaptation of cancer clinical trial multimedia for Hispanic patients. Presented to the 69th International Communication Association, Washington D.C., USA.
Occa A. & Morgan S. E. (2018). “This sounds like a good idea.” Animations about clinical trial participation for cancer patients and survivors. Presented to the 104th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Salt Lake City, UT.
Peng, W., Occa, A., McFarlane, S., & Morgan, S. E. (2018). Discussions about clinical trials from a cancer-dedicated forum online. Presented to the 104th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Salt Lake City, UT.
Peng, W., Occa, A., Ali, K., & Carcioppolo, N. (2018). Feeling worried, overloaded, or fatalistic? The determinants of cancer uncertainty management preferences. Presented to the 104th annual convention of the National Communication Association, Salt Lake City, UT.
Occa A., Pagani O., Groux P., Di Lascio S., Rossi L., Froesch P., Maestrini N., Lagomarsino M., & Suggs L. S. (2018). “Shall I swallow or inject my chemotherapy?” Determinants of treatment preference, communication, and decision-making for patients. Presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Peng, W., Occa, A., McFarlane, S., & Morgan, S. E. (2018). A content analysis of clinical trial information and misconception on online cancer community. Presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Occa A., Anderson D., Kim S., & Morgan S. E. (2017). A comparison of metaphor modality and appeals in the context of skin cancer prevention. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Occa A., Morgan S. E., McFarlane S., Peng W., & Potter J. (2017). A pilot training to improve medical professionals’ verbal and nonverbal communication about clinical trials and research studies. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Dallas, Texas USA (Top Paper Award).
McFarlane S.J., Morgan S.E, Occa A. (2017). A systematic review of community-based participatory research to enhance clinical trials in vulnerable populations. 15th Annual Disparities in Health in America: Working Toward Social Justice Workshop. Houston, TX, USA.
Zhou C. & Occa A. (2017). A meta-analysis of narrative-based serious digital games for promoting healthy behaviors. ICA Pre-Conference on Innovations in Narrative-Based Intervention Design, Development, and Evaluation. San Diego, USA.
Occa A., Morgan, S.E., & Potter, J. Underrepresentation of minorities in clinical trials: recruiters’ perspectives. National Communication Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Occa A., & Morgan S.E. Structure, materials, and outcomes of training programs for improving clinical trials communication: a systematic review. National Communication Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (Top Paper Award).
Carcioppolo, N., Occa, A., & Chudnovskaya, E. When is it OK to joke? Specifying how and when humor may be a more appropriate message frame than fear. National Communication Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Occa A., Morgan, S.E. (2016). L’arte e la scienza di coinvolgere i pazienti nella ricerca medica: utilizzare le esperienze dei reclutatori professionisti per integrare le scelte strategiche di medici e direttori scientifici. Convegno dell’Associazione Alessandro Liberati/Network Italiano Cochrane. 31 May 2016, Rome, Italy
Occa, A., (2016). A Textual Analysis of HPV Vaccine Educational Videos Targeting Adolescents on YouTube. Media+Health Symposium at Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA (Paper)
Occa, A. , Leopold., J, (2016). “You’ve Been Nominated!” Using Social Ties to Strategically Influence Engagement in Social Marketing Interventions. Media+Health Symposium at Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA (Paper)
Chen, Z., Hong, C., Occa, A. , (2016). CSR as an international relationship management strategy: Linking CSR, organizational-employee relationships, and employee behavioral outcomes. 19th annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, Florida, USA (Paper)
Chen, Z., Hong, C., Occa, A., (2015). The effects of corporate social responsibility on organization-employee relationships: The moderating role of perceived fit. RSA Educators Academy ‘Super Saturday’ research conference. Atlanta, South Carolina, USA (Paper)
Morgan S.E., Occa A., Leopold J., Mouton A., Peter M., (2015). Like a chameleon”: Clinical trial and research study recruiters’ verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. National Communication Association, Las Vegas, Arizona, USA (Top Paper Award).
Ramaprasad J., Occa A., Leopold J., (2015). Indian Journalists on New Media Technological Changes, Censorship and Control, Prestige. International Association for Media and Communication Research, Montreal, Canada (Paper)
Morgan S.E., Mouton A., Occa A., Leopold J., Peter M., (2015). Research study recruiters’ perceptions of barriers to the accrual of unserved populations. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Retreat. Miami, Florida, USA (Poster)
Occa A., Sugg S.L., (2014). Confronto tra strategie comunicative su canali digitali nel parlare di tumore al seno alle giovani donne. Convegno dell’Associazione Alessandro Liberati/Network Italiano Cochrane. 23 May 2014, Milan, Italy. (Poster)
Occa A., & Morgan S. E. (2023). Clinical Trials. The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication.
Harrington N. G., Francis D. B., Occa A. (2022). Theoretical, Paradigmatic, and Practical Matters in Health Communication: Current and Future Directions. Handbook of Health Communication.
Morgan, S.E., Occa, A., Peng, W., McFarlane, S. (2020). Evidence-based communication in clinical, mass media, and social media contexts to enhance informed consent for participation in clinical trials and precision medicine initiatives. In D. O’Hair (Ed.) Handbook of Applied Communication.
Occa A., & Morgan S.E. (in press). Training programs for improving communication about medical research and clinical trials: A systematic review. In M. Prostran (Ed.) Clinical Trials in Vulnerable Populations, InTech.
Morgan S.E., Finn A., Raley J., Peng W., Occa A., McFarlane S.J., Krieger J., Potter J.E (in press). Assessing communication practice during clinical trial recruitment and consent: The Clinical Trial Communication Inventory (CTCI). In M. Prostran (Ed.) Clinical trials in vulnerable populations. InTech.
Suggs L.S., Rangelov N., Schmeil A., Occa A. , Bardus M., Radchuk O., & Dianat S., (2013). “E-Health Services.” In International Encyclopedia of Digital Communication & Society, edited by Wiley-Blackwell (PUBLISHED).