Current Research

Health Disparities among Hispanic/Latino Parents in the U.S. and Mexico
This study aims to identify predictors of psychological distress and hazardous alcohol use in a sample of Hispanic/Latino parents with children aged 8 to 16 years residing in the US and Mexico. Specifically, we want to examine the predictive ability of specific parental characteristics and behaviors linked to youth antisocial behavior, such as (1) sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, education), (2) family risk- and protective factors (e.g., family conflict, family functioning), (3) perceived stress, (4) cultural factors (e.g., discrimination, the context of reception), and (5) disclosure and exposure to alcohol-related content on social media.

Analysis of the Third National Youth Survey of Costa Rica, 2018
This study will utilize de-identified data from the Third National Youth Survey of Costa Rica (NYS-CRC), conducted in 2018. Data were obtained from the Government of Costa Rica (Youth Institute) upon previous and formal request. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to explore the prevalence and predictors of health behaviors in Costa Rican youths.

Analysis of the Sixth National Survey on Psychoactive Substance Use in the Secondary Education Population of Costa Rica, 2021
This study will utilize de-identified data from the Sixth National Survey on Psychoactive Substance Use in the Secondary Education Population of Costa Rica (VI-NSPSUSEP-CRC), conducted in 2021. Data were obtained from the Government of Costa Rica (Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, IAFA) upon previous and formal request. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to explore the prevalence and correlates of substance use, mental health, and related behavioral health outcomes among Costa Rican adolescents.

Contextually responsive implementation of place-activation interventions for promoting physical activity in marginalized urban peripheries in Mexico This study (1R01MD019155-01, PI: Salvo; Co-I: Montero-Zamora)seeks to reduce the burden of physical inactivity in Mexico through an urban equity approach, by increasing the uptake of place-activation EBIs in marginalized urban peripheries. We will conduct a mixed-methods study in up to 10 major metropolitan areas of Mexico where our team has existing partnerships. Our study will test multisectoral engagement methods to advance active dissemination and implementation (D&I) for increasing the uptake of place-activation EBIs in marginalized urban peripheries. We will pursue three specific aims: (1) use a mixed methods approach to adapt place-activation EBIs for use in our study settings (surveys, interviews, and focus groups); (2) conduct a hybrid III group-randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of active D&I methods for improving the reach, adoption and implementation of place-based EBIs (15 intervention neighborhoods with recent public open space improvements will receive an active D&I strategy, and 15 comparison neighborhoods with recent public open space improvements will serve as controls); and, (3) use a community-engaged, participatory approach to examine the potential for longer-term maintenance and scalability of place-activation EBIs (GIS interviews, co-creation workshops, concept mapping). Our work will be guided by the “necessity- vs. choice-based physical activity models” framework for contextually-responsive physical activity promotion in LMICs; and the adapted version of the RE-AIM D&I framework for scaling up physical activity interventions globally. 

Hispanic/Latinx Immigrant and Migrant Health in the Rio Grande Valley
The study aims to understand the health conditions of Hispanic/Latinx immigrants and migrants (i.e., im/migrants) in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region. The overarching goal is to identify research gaps, establish sustainable partnerships, and generate insights for subsequent pilot studies and community-driven interventions within the RGV region, contributing to an enhanced understanding of im/migrant health dynamics in the RGV. This research is the first stage of a formal collaboration between UT Austin College of Education and UTHealth School of Public Health in Brownsville. It is co-led by Dr. Pablo Montero-Zamora at UT Austin College of Education and Dr. Emily D. Lemon at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville. Using geospatial methods that map valley health needs and assets and qualitative methods to solicit perspectives among community leaders and settled Latin American immigrants in the Valley, this mixed-methods needs assessment will lead to new community partnerships and research questions for future pilot studies.