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Stephen J Lepore

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Stephen J Lepore

  • College of Public Health

    • Social and Behavioral Sciences

      • Professor

      • Chair

  • Fox Chase Cancer Center

      • Member, Cancer Prevention and Control

Biography

Dr. Stephen Lepore is chair and professor of social and behavioral sciences. With degrees from the University of California-Irvine, Harvard University, and Clark University, Dr. Lepore’s work centers on cancer prevention, control, and survivorship. He develops evidence-based behavioral interventions to enhance the well-being of cancer survivors and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors that support cancer prevention and early detection.

A pioneer in the field, Dr. Lepore introduced the Social Cognitive Processing Model, which explores how interpersonal relationships influence psychological adjustment to cancer. This framework underpins a range of interventions—delivered individually, in groups, and online—designed to improve survivors' quality of life. His commitment to addressing cancer disparities is evident in projects targeting high-risk populations, including African American men and low-income families, with interventions promoting informed prostate cancer testing and smoking cessation. His research increasingly integrates technology, such as mHealth tools, text messaging, and online platforms, to expand the reach and impact of interventions.

Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Lepore has earned prestigious honors, including awards from the American Psychological Association and the Society of Behavioral Medicine, as well as a Fulbright Award. He is a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, with long-standing NIH service as a charter member of the Behavioral Medicine Interventions study section. His research, supported by federal and private grants over several decades, is widely published in top-tier health, psychology, and medicine journals.

Curriculum Vitae 

Google Scholar: Stephen Lepore's Google Scholar profile

Courses Taught

Number

Name

Level

SBS 8001

Research Methods in Public Health

Graduate

Selected Publications

Recent

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Porter, L.S., Lepore, S.J., Langer, S.L., Hasler, J., & Pukall, C.F. (2025). Associations Between Sexual Script Flexibility and Sexual Outcomes: An Investigation Among Breast Cancer Survivor Couples. Psychooncology, 34(4), e70147. England. 10.1002/pon.70147

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., & Egleston, B.L. (2025). Babies Living Safe and Smokefree (BLiSS) Intervention Reduces Children's Tobacco Smoke Exposure Directly and Indirectly by Improving Maternal Smokers' Urge Management Skills and Exposure Protection Behaviors. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 22(2). Switzerland. 10.3390/ijerph22020254

  • Chin, S.M., Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Dumenci, L., & Rincon, M.A. (2023). Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Tobacco Urge Management Scale (TUMS). Int J Environ Res Public Health, 20(8). Switzerland. 10.3390/ijerph20085453

  • Schuler, B.R., Collins, B.N., Scheuermann, T.S., Baishya, M., Kilby, L., & Lepore, S.J. (2023). Translating pediatric primary care best practice guidelines for addressing tobacco in the WIC system. Transl Behav Med, 13(2), 57-63. England. 10.1093/tbm/ibac079

  • Baishya, M.L., Collins, B.N., & Lepore, S.J. (2022). Antecedents of Self-Efficacy to Achieve Smoking-Behavior-Change Goals among Low-Income Parents Enrolled in an Evidence-Based Tobacco Intervention. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(20). Switzerland. 10.3390/ijerph192013573

  • Reese, J.B., El-Jawahri, A., Sorice, K., Cruz, C., Bober, S.L., Daly, M.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., Wittenberg, E., Wolff, A.C., Handorf, E., & Lepore, S.J. (2022). Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer clinicians' communication about sexual health. Support Care Cancer, 30(7), 5801-5810. Germany. 10.1007/s00520-022-07003-8

  • Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., & Egleston, B.L. (2022). Multilevel Intervention for Low-Income Maternal Smokers in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Am J Public Health, 112(3), 472-481. United States. 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306601

  • Berardi, V., Collins, B.N., Glynn, L.M., Lepore, S.J., Mahabee-Gittens, E.M., Wilson, K.M., & Hovell, M.F. (2022). Real-time feedback of air quality in children's bedrooms reduces exposure to secondhand smoke. Tob Prev Cessat, 8, 23. Greece. 10.18332/tpc/149908

  • Reese, J.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Bober, S.L., Sorice, K., Handorf, E., Wittenberg, E., El-Jawahri, A., Beach, M.C., Wolff, A.C., Daly, M.B., Izquierdo, B., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Mobile Technology-Based (mLearning) Intervention to Enhance Breast Cancer Clinicians' Communication About Sexual Health: A Pilot Trial. J Natl Compr Canc Netw, 19(10), 1133-1140. United States. 10.6004/jnccn.2021.7032

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Killam, H.W., & Barry, B. (2021). Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 9(7), e28175. Canada. 10.2196/28175

  • Kaynak, Ã., Whipple, C.R., Kliewer, W.L., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Peer Victimization Exposure and Subsequent Substance Use in Early Adolescence: The Role of Sleep Problems. J Youth Adolesc, 50(6), 1254-1267. United States. 10.1007/s10964-021-01410-6

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Handorf, E., Beach, M.C., Daly, M.B., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Efficacy of a multimedia intervention in facilitating breast cancer patients' clinical communication about sexual health: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Psychooncology, 30(5), 681-690. England. 10.1002/pon.5613

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Killam, H.W., & Barry, B. (2021). Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study (Preprint). doi: 10.2196/preprints.28175.

  • Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., Winickoff, J.P., & Sosnowski, D.W. (2020). Parents' Self-efficacy for Tobacco Exposure Protection and Smoking Abstinence Mediate Treatment Effects on Child Cotinine at 12-Month Follow-up: Mediation Results from the Kids Safe and Smokefree Trial. Nicotine Tob Res, 22(11), 1981-1988. England. 10.1093/ntr/ntz175

  • Lepore, S.J. & Kliewer, W. (2020). Expressive Writing and Health. In Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 817-823). doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_1225.

  • (2020). Early Detection. In Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 711-711). doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_300560.

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., & Beach, M.C. (2020). Communication about Sexual Health in Breast Cancer: What Can We Learn from Patients' Self-Report and Clinic Dialogue? Patient Educ Couns, 103(9), 1821-1829. Ireland. 10.1016/j.pec.2020.03.029

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., Handorf, E., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). Understanding Sexual Help-Seeking for Women With Breast Cancer: What Distinguishes Women Who Seek Help From Those Who Do Not? J Sex Med, 17(9), 1729-1739. Netherlands. 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.06.004

  • Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., Beach, M.C., & Reese, J.B. (2020). Patients' perceived barriers to discussing sexual health with breast cancer healthcare providers. Psychooncology, 29(7), 1123-1131. England. 10.1002/pon.5386

  • Reese, J.B., Beach, M.C., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Daly, M.B., Handorf, E.A., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). Can a brief multimedia intervention facilitate breast cancer patients’ communication about sexual health? Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(15_suppl), e24179-e24179. doi: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e24179.

  • Reese, J.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., Sorice, K.A., Handorf, E., Daly, M.B., Schover, L.R., Kashy, D., Westbrook, K., & Porter, L.S. (2020). Evaluating a couple-based intervention addressing sexual concerns for breast cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 21(1), 173. England. 10.1186/s13063-019-3975-2

  • Ralph, N., Ng, S.K., Zajdlewicz, L., Lepore, S.J., Heathcote, P., Kneebone, A., Dunn, J.C., & Chambers, S.K. (2020). Ten-year quality of life outcomes in men with prostate cancer. Psychooncology, 29(2), 444-449. England. 10.1002/pon.5255