Gerontology & Geriatric Research

F. Allan Hubbell

Biography

F Allan Hubbell is working as a professor at University of Nevada School of Medicine, USA. Hubbell’s research focuses on the cancer prevention and control needs of medically under-served populations and health policy options to address those needs. Through this research, he is contributing to the national goal of eliminating cancer related health disparities among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups in this country. Examples of the research include NCI-funded studies of cancer–related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among Latinos and Pacific Islanders – special populations that reside in large numbers in southern California. These studies have documented many culturally based beliefs about the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of cancer as well as low use of cancer prevention services. To address cancer control problems, Dr. Hubbell’s research team has developed culturally sensitive cancer prevention programs to improve knowledge about cancer and to increase screening in these populations. Dr. Hubbell is also the Principal Investigator for the Irvine Clinical Center of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) sponsored by the NHLBI. The WHI is a large multi-center clinical trial that is evaluating the impact of hormone therapy, calcium/vitamin D, and diet on a variety of cardiovascular, cancer, and musculoskeletal outcomes. Early findings from the study indicated that the risks of long term use of a combination of estrogen and progestin outweighed the benefits. These findings have already changed the way physicians treat postmenopausal women. Because of his expertise, Dr. Hubbell has served on advisory committees for organizations such as the Southwest Oncology Group, the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Board of Medical Examiners, the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society.

Research Interest

  Health disparities, cancer prevention and control, women's health and access to medical care