Faculty in the Division of Behavioral Sciences continue to demonstrate exceptional scholarly productivity and national impact

Dr. Langford has advanced important work on colorectal cancer screening using nationally representative data from the 2022 National Cancer Institute Health Information National Trends Survey. Her findings highlight how adults aged 45–49 and women may be less likely to receive screening information. These findings highlight key opportunities to strengthen screening outreach and early detection efforts. Dr. Langford also served on a 2024 American Heart Association writing group that produced a 2025 scientific statement supporting the use of single-pill combination antihypertensive therapies, a strategy shown to improve medication adherence, accelerate blood pressure control, and reduce cardiovascular risk at the population level.

Dr. Zilioli and his team published the first empirical paper from The Heart of Detroit Study, marking an important milestone for the project. Their findings revealed sex-specific associations between loneliness and chronic stress biology, with loneliness linked to higher hair cortisol concentrations among men but not women. These findings offer new insights into how psychosocial factors may “get under the skin” to influence health.

The Division also continues to excel in external funding. Notably, Dr. Carcone was awarded an NIH R01 as Principal Investigator and two additional NIH grants (R01 and R21) as Co-Investigator. Her R01 examines an innovative, virtually delivered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention enhanced with virtual reality for emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. This work has the potential to deliver scalable, technology-driven stress-management tools to a high-risk population, with implications for improving well-being and glycemic control.