Research of Elliot Coups, PhD


Project SOL (Sun-safety for Outdoor Laborers)

Project SOLThe goal of this project is to develop and test a culturally relevant sun-safety education program for the Hispanic outdoor day laborer population who work or reside in the Greater New Brunswick (New Jersey) area. Educational programs to promote sun safety practices among Hispanic outdoor laborers are lacking. In this community-based research study, we are developing and testing a peer-led educational program for Hispanic outdoor day laborers to increase knowledge about risks of sun exposure and engagement in recommended sun-safety practices. The project is being conducted in collaboration with a local community partner organization, New Labor.

The goals of the project are:

  1. To conduct a multi-method needs assessment to determine skin cancer prevention and sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among Hispanic outdoor day laborers.
     
  2. To develop a culturally and linguistically appropriate peer-led educational program regarding skin cancer prevention and sun safety for Hispanic outdoor day laborers.
     
  3. To evaluate the acceptability and potential impact of the educational program among Hispanic outdoor day laborers.

Funding source: Rutgers University Foundation from Johnson & Johnson
 

Skin Cancer-Related Behaviors among Adults in Puerto Rico

The increasing incidence of skin cancer in Puerto Rico in recent years has not been accompanied by heightened research or public health initiatives. In this project, we are developing and implementing a comprehensive, theory-driven, culturally relevant survey of skin cancer-related behaviors and potential correlates in a representative sample of adults in Puerto Rico. The knowledge gained from this project will directly inform the development of an intervention to promote skin cancer prevention behaviors among Puerto Rican adults.

The goals of the project are:

  1. To identify key concepts related to skin cancer and skin cancer prevention, risk, and surveillance behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico.
     
  2. To establish the prevalence and correlates of skin cancer prevention, risk, and surveillance behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico.

Funding source: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Cancer Prevention and Control Pilot Award

Relevant publication:


Skin Cancer Prevention, Risk, and Surveillance Behaviors among U.S. Hispanics

We have used data from the National Health Interview Survey, and our own population-based survey of almost 800 Hispanic adults, to document skin cancer prevention, risk, and surveillance behaviors among U.S. Hispanics. The results of our studies indicate that many Hispanic adults do not routinely engage in behaviors that reduce their skin cancer risk. We have also identified novel associations between linguistic acculturation and skin cancer-related behaviors. For example, in one study we found that English-acculturated Hispanics had lower rates of shade seeking and use of sun protective clothing and reported higher rates of sunbathing and indoor tanning than Spanish-acculturated Hispanics. English-acculturated Hispanics and bicultural Hispanics (those with high Spanish and high English acculturation) reported comparably high rates of sunbathing and indoor tanning. Results suggested that bicultural Hispanics seek shade and wear sun protective clothing less often than Spanish-acculturated Hispanics but more often than English-acculturated Hispanics. Bicultural and English-acculturated Hispanics are particularly in need of skin cancer prevention interventions.

Funding source: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Cancer Prevention and Control Pilot Award

Relevant publications:

  • Day, A. K., Stapleton, J. L., Natale-Pereira, A., Goydos, J. S., & Coups, E. J. (2015). Occupational sunscreen use among U.S. Hispanic outdoor workers. BMC Research Notes, 8, 578. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1558-1
     
  • Coups, E. J., Stapleton, J. L., Manne, S. L., Hudson, S. V., Medina-Forrester, A., Rosenberg, S. A., Gordon, M., Tatum, K. S., Robinson, J. K., Natale-Pereira, A., & Goydos, J. S. (2014). Psychosocial correlates of sun protection behaviors among U.S. Hispanic adults. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 37, 1082–1090. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10865-014-9558-5  
     
  • Coups, E. J., Stapleton, J. L., Hudson, S. V., Medina-Forrester, A., Rosenberg, S. A., Gordon, M., Natale-Pereira, A., & Goydos, J. S. (2013). Linguistic acculturation and skin cancer-related behaviors among Hispanics in the southern and western United States. JAMA Dermatology, 149, 679–686. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.745
     
  • Coups, E. J., Stapleton, J. L., Hudson, S. V., Medina-Forrester, A., Rosenberg, S. A., Gordon, M., Natale-Pereira, A., & Goydos, J. S. (2013). Skin cancer surveillance behaviors among US Hispanic adults. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 68, 576–584. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2012.09.032 
     
  • Coups, E. J., Stapleton, J. L., Hudson, S. V., Medina-Forrester, A., Natale-Pereira, A., & Goydos, J. S. (2012). Sun protection and exposure behaviors among Hispanic adults in the United States: Differences according to acculturation and among Hispanic subgroups. BMC Public Health, 12, 985. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-985 
     
  • Coups, E. J., Stapleton, J. L., Hudson, S. V., Medina-Forrester, A., Goydos, J. S., & Natale-Pereira, A. (2012). Skin cancer screening among Hispanic adults in the United States: Results from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Archives of Dermatology, 148, 861–863. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2012.615