Professor, University Distinguished Research Professor, Endowed Academic Chair on Social Work and Health, Co-Director of the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence
Contact Information
Email: hlee94@ua.edu
Office: Little Hall 2024
Phone: (205) 348-6553
Areas of Interest and Expertise
- Health Disparities
- Technology-Driven Intervention (AI, VR/AR, Sensor, and App)
- Mental Health and Substance Use
- Dissemination and Implementation Science
- Immigration and Health Care
- Rural Health
Education
- PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
- MSW., University of California, Los Angeles
- MSG, University of Southern California
- MA, Seoul National University
- BA, Seoul National University
Bio
I am a Distinguished University Research Professor and tenured full professor at The University of Alabama School of Social Work, where I also hold the Endowed Academic Chair in Social Work (Health). In addition, I serve as Co-Director of the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence at The University of Alabama.
My research is driven by a mission to reduce health disparity in underserved and rural communities. I am deeply committed to generating evidence that translates into actionable practice and policy, with the goal of improving health outcomes and overall well-being. I believe research is a powerful tool for transforming lives, and I am dedicated to driving meaningful change as a translational researcher.
I am also a behavioral health scientist and interventionist. I leverage technology—such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Web Apps, and Sensors—as intervention mediums to promote health behavior changes. Through rigorous testing using Randomized Clinical Trials, I ensure these technology-driven interventions are effective and ready for real-world application. I have developed eight Web Apps that have been proven to drive significant health behavior changes, some of which have been adopted into clinical practice and health insurance settings. In this process, I adopt the dissemination and implementation framework. My research has been also instrumental in informing evidence-based health policies, such as my HPV vaccination studies, which shaped the Healthy People 2030 policy.
My research is funded by leading federal agencies, including the NIH, NSF, HRSA, SAMHSA, CDC, DOD, and the U.S. Department of Education. I am currently leading six federally funded research projects along with five pilot projects that are internally funded in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams at The University of Alabama and other institutions nationwide. I strongly believe in developing interventions that are driven by input from community partners, users, and policymakers. By using the Community-Based Participatory Research approach, I co-develop programs that can be easily integrated into everyday life, ensuring they are practical and impactful. One of my key projects is the development of an AI-powered digital therapy for dementia caregivers, which is designed for widespread dissemination nationally. Another significant initiative involves creating an AI-enabled Open Knowledge Graph Network to address health disparities and substance misuse in rural areas. In addition to my U.S.-based research, I am deeply involved in global health initiatives, focusing on health disparities among marginalized populations in Korea, India, and Vietnam.
In recognition of my contributions to health disparities research, I was honored with the title of University Distinguished Research Professor in 2024—the highest accolade awarded to full professors for achieving international distinction in their fields of research. I was also honored with the prestigious Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award for my HRSA-funded project promoting COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama’s rural Black Belt region. Additional accolades include the University of Alabama President’s Faculty Research Award, Social Work Faculty of the Year, and the Head Over Heels Women’s Leadership Award. I was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Society of Social Work Research, and I am a Fellow of both the Society of Social Work Research and the Gerontological Society of America. From 2018 to 2022, I served as the inaugural Associate Dean for Research at The University of Alabama School of Social Work, and prior to that, I was the Director of Research at the School of Social Work, University of Minnesota Twin Cities (2014-2017).
My research lab, the HEAL Lab (Health Equity and Advancing Life through Technology), brings together a diverse group of scholars, including undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students from The University of Alabama, as well as visiting scholars and international collaborators from around the world. Mentoring students and junior to mid-career faculty is one of the most rewarding aspects of my academic career. I take great pride in supporting the next generation of researchers in their academic and professional growth. Together, we frequently present our lab’s research findings at national and international conferences, sharing valuable insights and innovations in the fields of social work and health disparities.
As a researcher and educator, I am deeply committed to advancing health equity and leveraging innovative technologies to improve lives. Through collaboration, mentorship, and the development of evidence-based interventions, I strive to make a lasting impact on public health and individual well-being. My ultimate goal is to help create a future where everyone—regardless of their background—has access to high-quality healthcare and the opportunities they deserve to thrive. This vision of health justice is not just the focus of my research but the driving force behind all my efforts. It is the foundation of my work and the legacy I hope to leave for future generations.
Selected Publications
Lee, H. Y., Eyer, J. C., Luo. Y., Jeong, H., Chapman, S., Hudnall, M. (In press). The role of social determinants of health on opioid literacy in rural Alabamians. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Lee, H. Y., Yoon, Y. J., Choi, Y. J., & Ham, Y-H. (2024). Factors Associated with Korean American Women’s Health-Related Internet Use: Findings from Andersen’s Behavioral Model. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 26, 124–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01540-y
Lee, H. Y., Chou, C., Wang, K., McDaniel, C. C., &, Daniel, C. L. (2023). The roles of HPV awareness and knowledge in HPV vaccine initiation and completion among college students in the Deep South of the United States: Applying the Andersen’s Behavioral Model. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education.
Lee, H. Y., Eyer, J. C., Luo, Y., Jeong, H., Chapman, S., & Hudnall, M. (2023). Opioid literacy among individuals living in rural Alabama: The role of social determinants of health. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 1-8.
Lee, H.Y., Song, J., & Choi, E.Y. (2023). Childhood abuse and opioid prescription use in adulthood: Differences between non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks in the United States. PLOS ONE. 18(9): e0291752. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291752.
Lee, H.Y., Daniel, C.L., Wang, K., McLendon, L., & Coyne-Beasley, T. (2023). HPV vaccination among college students in the South: The role of HPV knowledge on vaccine initiation and completion. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(6), 2149–2156.
Lee, H.Y., Hao, Z. & Choi, E.Y. (2023). Depression among Korean American Immigrants Living in Rural Alabama: Use of Social Determinants of Health Framework. Ethnicity & Health, 17, 1-14.
Lee, H. Y., Kois, L., Wang, K., Won, C. R., Han, A., & Allen, R. S. (2023). Correlations between social determinants of health and technology access among rural African American Alabamians. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 34(1), 21-34.
Lee, H.Y., Luo, Y., Chou, C., Lee, M.H., & Bennett, M. (2023). Associated factors with colorectal cancer screening awareness in the Black Belt region of Alabama: A comparison among three types of colorectal cancer screening. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 16(1), Article 4.
Lee, H. Y., Luo, Y., Won, C.R., Daniel, C., & Coyne-Beasley, T. (2023). HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among African Americans in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01562-0
Lee, H. Y., Won, C. R., Luo, Y., & Lee, M. H. (2023). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine awareness among Korean American immigrants in Alabama: Would internet use improve health awareness? Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(8), 2575–2581.
Lee, H. Y., Wang, K., Choi, E., Gajos, J., & Won, C.R. (2023). Opioid literacy among African Americans living in rural Alabama: Findings from a social determinants of health (SDH) framework. Journal of Drug Issues, 53(1), 3-17.
Lee, H. Y., Noh, H., Choi, E., & Lee, L. H. (2022). Social determinants of willingness to discuss end-of-life care with family and doctors among Korean American immigrants: Findings from a cross-sectional survey in Alabama. Health & Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.14043
Lee, H. Y., Wang, K., Johnson, K., Kubanga, K., Han, A., & Choi, E. (2022). Does the use of social media affect the online health information-seeking behaviors among underserved African Americans in rural Alabama? Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 33(4), 1949–1964.
Lee, H. Y., Xiong, S., Khang, T., Vue, B., Culhane-Pera, K-A., Pergament, S., Torres, M. B., Sur, A., Koopmeiners, J.S., & Desai, J. (2022). Evaluating HmongHPV eHealth to Promote Hmong Adolescent HPV Vaccinations: A Pilot Feasibility Study. JMIR Formative Research.
Lee, H.Y. Beltran, R., Kim, N.G., & Lee, D.K. (2019). Racial Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening: Implications for Relieving Cervical Cancer Burden in Asian American Pacific Islander Women. Cancer Nursing: An International Journal for Cancer Care.
Zhou, A., Lee, H.Y., & Lee, R. (In Press). Who Has Low Health Literacy and Does It Matter for Depression? Findings from Aggregated and Disaggregated Racial/Ethnic Groups. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Burnette, C.E., Liddell, J., Roh, S., Lee, Y., & Lee, H.Y. (2018). American Indian Women Cancer Survivors’ Perceptions and Experiences with Conventional and Non-Conventional Mental Health Care for Depressive Symptoms. Ethnicity and Health.
Roh, S., Burnette, C., Lee, Y.S., Lee, K.H., Lee, H.Y., & Newland, L.A. (2018). Breast Cancer Literacy and Health Beliefs Related to Breast Cancer Screening among American Indian Women. Health and Social Work.
An, S., Choi, Y.J., Lee, H.Y., Yoon, Y.J., & Pratt, M. (2018). Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Among Korean American Women: Is Having an Annual Checkup Critical? Asian American Journal of Cancer Prevention.
Lee, H.Y., Choi, Y.J., Yoon, Y.J., & Oh, J. (2018). HPV Literacy in Korean American Immigrant women: Does English Proficiency Matter? Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
Pope, Z., Lee, J., Zeng, N., Lee, H.Y., & Gao, Z. (2018). Feasibility of Smartphone Application and Social Media Intervention on Breast Cancer Survivors’ Health outcomes. Translational Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby002. (Epub ahead of print)
Lee, H.Y., Lust, K., Vang, S., & Desai, J. (2018). Male Undergraduates’ HPV Vaccination Behavior: Implications for Achieving HPV-Associated Cancer Equity. Journal of Community Health, 43(3), 459-466, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-018-0482-4.
Lee, H.Y., Kim, J.H., & Sharrat, M. (2018). Information communication technology use and its impact on health and mental health in older cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research, 27, 467-477. doi: 10.1007/s11136-017-1734-y 9.
Choi, E.Y., Kim., Y.S., Lee, H.Y., Shin, H.R., & Cho, S.E. (2017). The Moderating Effect of Subjective Age on the Association between Depressive symptoms and Cognitive Functioning in Korean Older Adults. Aging and Mental Health, doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1390733. (Epub ahead of print)
Lee, H.Y., Ghebre, R., Le, C. Jang, Y.J., & Yee, D. (2017). Mobile Phone Multimedia Messaging Intervention for Breast Cancer Screening: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Medical Internet Research-mHealth and Uhealth, 5(11). Open access: https://mhealth.jmir.org/article/viewFile/mhealth_v5i11e154/2.
Lee, H.Y., Lee, J., Henning-Smith, C., & Choi, J. (2017). HPV Literacy and Its Link to Initiation and Completion of HPV Vaccine Among Young Adults in Minnesota. Public Health, 152, 172-178.
Lee, H.Y., Lee, M.H., Jang, Y. J., & Lee, D.K.M (2017). Breast Cancer Screening Disparity among Korean American Immigrant Women in Midwest, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 18(10), 2663-2667.
Kim, Y.S., Lee, H.Y., Park, B.H., Lee, M.H., & Simms, T. (2017). Mental health literacy in Korean older adults: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 24(7), 523-533.
Kim, Y.S., Rhee, G., Lee, H.Y., Park, B.H., & Sharratt, M. (2017). Mental health literacy as a mediator in use of mental health services among older Korean adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 29(2), 269-279. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216001721.
Kim, J.H., Lee, H.Y., Christensen, C., & Merighi, M. (2017). Technology Access and Use, and Their Associations With Social Engagement Among Older Adults: Do Women and Men Differ? The Journals of Gerontology: Series B Social Sciences. 72(5). 836-845. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbw123.