Administrative Title

Associate Professor

Office Address

6135 Woodward Ave
Office 3142
Detroit, MI 48202

Office Phone

313-577-5644

Biography

Dr. Aisha T. Langford, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor on the Research Educator Tenure Track in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Langford's research primarily focuses on the ways in which health communication can enhance individual decision-making and reduce health disparities, particularly for conditions or behaviors leading to preventable mortality and morbidity. She has a rich history of research in cancer prevention and control, as well as minority clinical trial participation in community-based settings. More recently, her research has broadened to include aspects of cardiovascular disease, with a specific focus on hypertension-related decision making and patient-provider communication in clinical settings.

Dr. Langford's research adopts a threefold programmatic approach: 1) understanding the mechanisms that drive health inequities across various chronic conditions and behavioral contexts; 2) advancing and applying health communication concepts, such as plain language, to develop behavioral and decision-making interventions; and, 3) creating and adapting these interventions for populations most affected by health disparities.

Her work has been funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Dr. Langford's publications significantly contribute to the literature on health disparities and social determinants of health, especially among racial/ethnic minorities with chronic conditions. She earned her BA in English from the University of Virginia, her MPH in Behavioral Science from Saint Louis University, and her PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan. Before transitioning to a career in academic research, Dr. Langford held professional roles in public relations, adult literacy, and community outreach. She is an active member of the Society for Medical Decision Making, the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the Academy of Communication in Healthcare. Additionally, Dr. Langford serves as an associate editor for two journals: Clinical Trials and Patient Education and Counseling.

Please see Dr. Langford's CV.

Education Training

Ph.D., Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
M.P.H., Behavioral Science, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
B.A., English, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Interests

Reading, traveling, and music

Area of Expertise

Health Communication
Medical Decision Making
Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Trial Participation
Chronic disease risk reduction and management

Research

Health Communication
Medical Decision Making
Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Trial Participation
Chronic disease risk reduction and management

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