The BMHO Program advances knowledge in four broad themes of inquiry: Behavioral and Psychosocial Processes in Health and Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), Sociocultural Determinants of Health, and Biobehavioral Mechanisms & Chronic Disease Management Interventions. The platform for this work involves prospective observational and intervention studies in cancer, CVD and HIV/AIDS that address: multiple pathways (social, biological, psychosocial) in health outcomes; health care delivery and health services; biopsychoscial and sociocultural mechanisms in the context of primary and secondary prevention of CVD, and cancer survivorship; and technology based and electronic medical record integrated assessment and intervention studies that target symptom burden and toxicity management in cancer. Most studies involve a biobehavioral component with emphasis on endocrine regulation, inflammatory & angiogenic pathways, immunocompetence, and gene x environment interactions. Our work emphasizes several methods including ecosocial and biopsychosocial approaches; CBT, mindfulness and stress management interventions; technology implementation; translational and team science; and advanced statistical methods.

Learn more about Dr. Penedo's research with the BMHO Program.