Sherrie Flynt Wallington

Sherrie Flynt Wallington headshot

Sherrie Flynt Wallington

Ph.D.

Associate Professor (Tenured)


Contact:

Office Phone: 202-994-1481
1919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 500, 536 Washington DC 20006

Sherrie Flynt Wallington is an associate professor (tenured) and health disparities researcher specializing in oncology in the Policy, Populations and Systems department. Dr. Wallington teaches and conducts research on health communication, social determinants of health, and community-based participatory research strategies that focus on prevention, health disparities, and clinical trial recruitment and engagement. She has a particular interest in cancer, particularly prostate, breast, and HPV-associated cancers. The American Cancer Society, the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Cancer Institute support her research. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and serves as a scientific grant reviewer for the NIH and other national foundations. In addition, she is a program evaluator and consultant on NIH-funded, governmental, and foundation grant awards. 


Honors and Awards

  • FY15 Faculty Research Recognition Award, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center (2014)

  • National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Minority Health Disparities Loan Repayment Program Award (2008 – 2013)

  • Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award, “The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved,” American Association for Cancer Research (2008)

  • Top Young Scholar Award, Kentucky Conference on Health Communication (2006)

Professional Society Memberships

  • International Communication Association, Member 

  • American Public Health Association (APHA), Member 

  • American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Member 

  • Society for Behavioral Medicine (SBM), Member & Chair, Community Service Award 

Original Papers in Refereed Journals

  • Rogers, CR, Obidike, O, Wallington, SF, Hussein, M, Mahamed, Z, Sampson, J. A qualitative study of barriers and enablers associated with colorectal cancer screening among Somali men in Minnesota. Ethn Health. 2018 Jul 4:1-18. doi:10.1080/13557858.2018.1493438. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:29973057

  • Lindsay AC, Wallington SF, Lees, FD, Greaney ML. Exploring how the home environment influences eating and physical activity habits of low-income, Latino children of predominantly immigrant families: A qualitative study. Int J. Environ Res Public Health. 2018 May 14;15(5). Pii: E978. doi:10.3390/ijerph15050978. PubMed PMID: 29757941.

  • Lindsay AC, Wasserman M, Muñoz MA, Wallington SF, Greaney ML. Examining influences of parenting styles and practices on physical activity and sedentary behaviors in Latino children in the United States: Integrative review. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2018 Jan 30;4(1):e14. doi:10.2196/publichealth.8159. Review. PubMed PMID: 29382629.

  • Wallington SF, Oppong B, Iddirisu M, Adams-Campbell LL. Developing a mass media campaign to promote mammography awareness in African American women in the nation’s capital. J Commun Health. 2017 Dec 26:1-6. doi:10.1007/s10900-017-0461-1. PubMed PMID: 29280089.

  • Lindsay AC, Wallington SF, Greaney ML, Tavares Machado MM, De Andrade GP. Patient-provider communication and counseling about gestational weight gain and physical activity: A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Latinas pregnant with their first child. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Nov 18;14(11): e1412. doi:10.3390/ijerph14111412. PubMed PMID: 29156548.

  • Lindsay AC, Greaney ML, Wallington SF, Wright JA. Easier said than done: A qualitative study conducted in the USA exploring Latino family child care home providers as role models for healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. BMJ Open. 2017 Nov 12;7(11):e018219. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018219. PubMed PMID: 29133327.

  • Greaney ML, Askew S, Wallington SF, Foley PB, Quintiliani LM, Bennett GG. The effect of a weight gain prevention intervention on moderate-vigorous physical activity among black women: The Shape Program. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017 Oct 16;14(1):139. doi:10.1186/s12966-017-0596-6. PubMed PMID: 29037247.

  • Lindsay AC, Wallington SF, Muñoz MA, Greaney ML. A qualitative study conducted in the USA exploring Latino fathers’ beliefs, attitudes and practices related to their young children's eating, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Public Health Nutr. 2017 Oct 10:1-13. doi:10.1017/S1368980017002579. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed PMID: 28994358.

  • Robinson B, Newman AF, Wallington SF, Swain, SM. Focus on you: Cancer clinical trials perspectives. Contemp Clin Trials. 2016 Dec 15;4:170-8. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2016.09.004. Epub 2016 Sep 16. PubMed PMID: 28770256.

  • Lindsay AC, Greaney ML, Wallington SF, Wright JA, Hunt AT. Depressive symptoms and length of U.S. residency are associated with obesity among low-income Latina mothers: A cross-sectional analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Aug 2;14(8): e869. doi:10.3390/ijerph14080869. PubMed PMID: 28767094.

  • Lindsay AC, Mesa T, Greaney ML, Wallington SF, Wright JA. Associations between maternal depressive symptoms and non-responsive feeding styles and practices in mothers of young children: A systematic review. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2017 May 26;3(2):e29. doi:10.2196/publichealth.6492. PubMed PMID: 28550007.

  • Perkins RB, Lin M, Wallington SF, Hanchate A. Impact of number of human papillomavirus vaccine doses on genital warts diagnoses among a national cohort of U.S. adolescents. Sex Transm Dis. 2017 Jun;44(6):365-70. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000615. PubMed PMID: 28499288.

  • Lindsay AC, Sitthisongkram S, Greaney ML, Wallington SF, Ruengdej P. Non-responsive feeding practices, obesogenic eating behaviors, and risk of overweight and obesity among Southeast Asian children: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Apr 19;14(4):E436. doi:10.3390/ijerph14040436. PubMed PMID: 28422081.

  • Taylor TR, Barrow J, Makambi K, Sheppard V, Wallington SF, Martin C, Greene D, Yeruva SLH, Horton S. A restorative yoga intervention for African-American breast cancer survivors: A pilot study. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2017 Apr 14. doi:10.1007/s40615-017-0342-4. PubMed PMID: 28411330.

  • Lindsay AC, Greaney ML, Wallington SF, Mesa T, Salas CF. A review of early influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children in high-income countries. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2017 Apr 13. doi:10.1111/jspn.12182. PubMed PMID: 28407367.

  • Shuler M, Suzuki S, Podesta A, Qualls-Hampton R, Wallington SF. A post-Hurricane Katrina examination of substance abuse treatment discharges with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. J Dual Diagn. 2017 Apr-Jun;13(2):144-56. doi:10.1080/15504263.2016.1277816. Epub 2017 Jan 3. PubMed PMID: 28045601.

  • Lindsay AC, Greaney M, Wallington SF, Hasselman MH, Mezzavilla R, Detro B. Sociocultural and environmental influences on Brazilian immigrant mothers’ beliefs and practices related to child feeding and weight status. Matern Child Health J. 2017 May;21(5):1085-94. doi:10.1007/s10995-016-2207-6. PubMed PMID: 28032238.

  • Wallington SF, Oppong B, Dash C, Coleman T, Greenwald H, Torres T, Iddirisu M, Adams-Campbell LL. A community-based outreach navigator approach to establishing partnerships for a safety net mammography screening center. J Cancer Educ. 2016 Dec 19. doi:10.1007/s13187-016-1152-9. PubMed PMID: 27995458.

  • Lindsay AC, Wallington SF, Greaney ML, Hasselman MH, Machado MM, Mezzavilla RS. Brazilian immigrant mothers’ beliefs and practices related to infant feeding: A qualitative study. J Hum Lact. 2017 Aug;33(3):595-605. doi:10.1177/0890334416676267. Epub 2016 Nov 24. PubMed PMID: 27881729.

  • Lindsay AC, de Oliveira MG, Wallington SF, Greaney ML, Machado MM, Freitag Pagliuca LM, Arruda CA. Access and utilization of healthcare services in Massachusetts, United States: A qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of Brazilian-born immigrant women. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Sep 2;16:467. doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1723-9. PubMed PMID: 27590849.

  • Lindsay, AC, Greaney, ML, Wallington, SF, Sands, FD, Wright, JA, Salkeld, J. Latino parents’ perceptions of the eating and physical activity experiences of their pre-school children at home and at family child-care homes: A qualitative study. Public Health Nutr. 2017 Feb;20(2):346-56. doi:10.1017/S136898001600207X. Epub 2016 Aug 19. PubMed PMID: 27539059.

  • Greaney ML, Askew S, Foley P, Wallington SF, Bennett GG. Linking patients with community resources: Use of a free YMCA membership among low-income women. Transl Behav Med. 2016 Aug 2. doi:10.1007/s13142-016-0431-7. PubMed PMID: 27484775.

  • Shuler MN, Wallington SF, Qualls-Hampton RY, Podesta A, Suzuki S. Trend analysis of substance abuse treatment admissions in New Orleans from 2000-2012: A population-based comparison pre- and post-Hurricane Katrina. Subst Use Misuse. 2016 Oct 14;51(12):1542-54. Epub 2016 Jul 26. PubMed PMID: 27459326.

  • Tucker-Seeley RD, Bezold CP, James P, Miller M, Wallington SF. Retail pharmacy policy to end the sale of tobacco products: What is the impact on disparity in neighborhood density of tobacco outlets? Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2016 Sep;25(9):1305-10. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-1234. Epub 2016 Jun 14. PubMed PMID: 27302724.

  • Perkins RB, Lin M, Wallington SF, Hanchate, AD. Impact of school-entry and education mandates by states on HPV vaccination coverage: Analysis of the 2009-2013 National Immunization Survey-Teen. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016 Jun 2;12(6):1615-22. doi:10.1080/21645515.2016.1150394. Epub 2016 May 6. PubMed PMID: 27152418.

  • Monnat SM, Rhubart D, Wallington SF. Differences in human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent girls in metropolitan vs. non-metropolitan areas: Considering the moderating roles of maternal socioeconomic status and health care access. Matern Child Health J. 2016 Feb;20(2):315-25. doi:10.1007/s10995-015-1831-x. PubMed PMID: 25659994.

  • Wallington SF, Dash C, Sheppard VB, Goode TD, Oppong BA, Dodson EE, Hamilton RN, Adams-Campbell L. Enrolling minority and underserved populations in cancer clinical research. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jan;50(1):111-7. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.036. Epub 2015 Oct 21. PubMed PMID: 26470805.

  • Kim B, Wallington SF, Makambi K, Adams-Campbell L. Social networks and physical activity behaviors among cancer survivors: Data from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey. J Health Commun. 2015;20(6):656-62. doi:10.1080/10810730.2015.1018576. Epub 2015 May 15. PubMed PMID: 25978562; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4507504.

  • Dash CD, Makambi K, Wallington SF, Sheppard V, Taylor TR, Hicks JS, Adams-Campbell L. An exercise trial targeting African-American women with metabolic syndrome and at high risk for breast cancer: Rationale, design, and methods. Contemp Clin Trials. 2015 Jul;43:23-8. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2015.04.015. Epub 2015 May 8. PubMed PMID: 25962889; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4522388.

  • Harvey VM, Patel H, Sandhu S, Wallington SF, Hinds G. Social determinants of racial and ethnic disparities in cutaneous melanoma outcomes. Cancer Control. 2014;21(4):343‑9. PubMed PMID: 25310216; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4505912.

  • Sween JC, Wallington SF, Sheppard VB, Llanos A, Taylor T, Adams-Campbell LL. The role of exergaming in improving physical activity: A review. J Phys Act Health. 2014;11(4):864-70. doi:10.1123/jpah.2011-0425. PubMed PMID: 25078529; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4180490.

  • Burnham B, Wallington S, Jillson IA, Trandafili H, Shetty K, Wang J, Loffredo CA. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of patients with chronic liver disease. Am J Health Behav. 2014;38(5):737-44. doi:10.5993/AJHB.38.5.11. PubMed PMID: 24933143; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4504206.

  • Dash C, Wallington SF, Muthra S, Dodson E, Mandelblatt J, Adams-Campbell L. Disparities in knowledge and willingness to donate research biospecimens: A mixed-methods study in an underserved urban community. J Community Genet. 2014 Apr 26;5(4):329-36. doi:10.1007/s12687-014-0187-z. Epub 2014 Apr 26. PubMed PMID: 24771039; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4159473.

  • Sheppard VB, Wallington SF, Wiley S, Hampton R, Lucas W, Jennings Y, Horton S, Muzeck N, Cocilovo C, Isaacs C. A peer-led decision support intervention improves decision outcomes in Black women with breast cancer. J Can Educ. 2013;28(2):262-9. doi:10.1007/s13187-013-0459-z. PubMed PMID: 23576067; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4180493.

  • Loffredo CA, Luta G, Wallington SF, Makgeng SB, Selsky C, Mandelblatt J, Adams-Campbell L. Knowledge and willingness to provide research bio-specimen among foreign-born Latinos using safety-net clinics. J Commun Health. 2013;39(4):652-9. doi:10.1007/s10900-013-9660-6. PubMed PMID: 2354337; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3706511.

  • Monnat SM, Wallington SF. Is there an association between maternal pap test utilization and adolescent HPV vaccination? J Adoles Health. 2013;52(2):212-8. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.05.015. Epub 2012 Aug 3. PubMed PMID: 23332487; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4130478.

  • Llanos AA, Makambi KH, Tucker CA, Wallington SF, Shields PG, Adams-Campbell LL. Cholesterol, lipoproteins, and breast cancer risk in African American women. Eth Dis. 2012;22(3):281-7. PubMed PMID: 22870570; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3830419.

  • Sheppard VB, Makambi K, Taylor T, Wallington SF, Sween J, Adams-Campbell L. Physical activity reduces breast cancer risk in African American women. Ethn Dis. 2011;21(4):406-11. PubMed PMID: 22428342; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3760197.

  • Mueller NT, Noone AM, Luta G, Wallington SF, Huerta EE, Mandelblatt JS. Latin American cancer research coalition: Information channels associated with awareness of human papillomavirus infections and vaccination among Latino immigrants from safety net clinics. J Immigr Minor Health. 2012;14(1):183-8. doi:10.1007/s10903-011-9501-6. PubMed PMID: 22089978; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3567193.

  • Wallington SF, Luta G, Noone A, Caicedo L, Lopez-Class M, Sheppard V, Spencer C, Mandelblatt J. Assessing the awareness of and willingness to participate in cancer clinical trials among immigrant Latinos. J Commun Health. 2012;37(2):335-43. doi:10.1007/s10900-011-9450-y. PubMed PMID: 21805372; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3567194.

  • Quintillani L, DeJesus M, Wallington SF. The impact of student diversity on interest, design, and promotion of web-based tailored nutrition and physical activity programs for community colleges. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43(5):379-84. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2010.08.012. Epub 2011 May 31. PubMed PMID: 21621467.

  • Wallington SF, Blake K, Taylor-Clark K, Viswanath K. Antecedents to agenda setting and framing in health and medical science news: An examination of source and resource usage from a national survey of U.S. health reporters and editors. J Health Commun. 2010;15(1):76‑94. doi:10.1080/10810730903460559. PubMed PMID: 20390978; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3090661.

  • Wallington SF, Blake K, Taylor-Clark K, Viswanath K. Challenges in covering health disparities in local news media: An exploratory analysis assessing views of journalists. J Commun Health. 2010;35(5):487-94. doi:10.1007/s10900-009-9217-x. PubMed PMID: 20041281; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3072699.

  • Wallington SF. The Internet as an emerging patient education tool among African-American men with prostate cancer: An exploratory study. Am J Mens Health. 2008;2(2):106-21. doi:10.1177/1557988306296156. Epub 2007 May 23. PubMed PMID: 19477775.

Books or Chapters in Books

  • Wallington SF. Health disparities research and practice: The role of language and health communication. In C Wen-Ying & HE Ferguson (Eds.), The handbook of language and communication. New York, NY: Routledge, 2014. 168-183.
  • Sheppard VB, Wallington SF, Williams KP, Lucas W. A decision-support intervention for Black women eligible for adjuvant systemic therapy: Sisters informing sisters about breast cancer treatment: An intervention to reduce treatment disparities. In R Elk & H Landrine (Eds.), Cancer disparities: Causes and evidence-based solutions. New York, NY: Springer, 2012. 367‑392.
  • Blake K, Wallington SF, Viswanath V. Health communication channel preferences by class, race, and place. In LJ Finney-Rutten, BW Hesse, RP Moser, & GL Kreps (Eds.), Building the evidence in cancer communication. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, 2011. 149-174.
  • Wallington SF. Knowledge gap hypothesis. In SH Priest (Ed.), Encyclopedia of science and technology communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2010. 435.
  • Brawley O, Wallington SF. Disparities in prostate cancer. In HK Koh (Ed.), Toward an elimination of cancer disparities: A clinical and public health perspective. New York, NY: Springer, 2009. 179-202.
  • Viswanath V, Wallington SF, Blake K. Media effects and population health. In RL Nabi & MB Oliver (Eds.), The Sage handbook of mass media effects. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2009. 313‑329.
  • Wallington SF, Brawley O, Holmes MD. Socioeconomic status and breast cancer disparities. In HK Koh (Ed.), Toward an elimination of cancer disparities: A clinical and public health perspective. New York, NY: Springer, 2009. 137-160.

Other Publications

  • Harvard School of Public Health and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Post Doctoral Fellowship (2006-2009)

  • Howard University School of Communications – Doctor of Philosophy (2006)

  • Duke University – Nonprofit Management (1995)

  • The University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Master of Arts in Speech Communication/Public Relations (1990)

  • The University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Bachelor of Science, Communication Arts (1984)

  • Community Health
  • Health Care Disparities
  • Immunization / Vaccines
  • Maternal / Child Health
  • Oncology
  • Other
  • Women's Health
  • Achiever
  • Connectedness
  • Belief
  • Context
  • Input