Megan Lewis

Megan Lewis, Assistant Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at UNC-CH, has examined how social influence and persuasion among older adults and older couples is related to primary preventive behavior change, and self-management of chronic disease. She has led studies examining how older adults manage heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and is starting to examine these issues for cancer as well. Several papers co-authored by Dr. Lewis explore how influence and persuasion among older adults may be better studied to maximize the translation of research to practice. These studies have been published in Health Psychology, Psychology and Aging, and the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. In addition, Dr. Lewis has co-authored two book chapters, which examine how older couples' relationships impact chronic disease management. She is currently principal investigator on a grant funded by National Institute on Aging to study the daily self-management behaviors of couples in which one spouse has Type 2 diabetes, and has a proposal under review that would examine how close relationships and cultural beliefs impact the quality of life at end-of-life for older African American end-stage renal patients and their family members.