About

John E. Ehiri, PhD, MPH, MSc (Econ.), is a University Distinguished Outreach Professor and Vice Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona. He is a professor in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences with over 25 years of global public health leadership in research, teaching, and service. His scholarly work focuses on maternal, child, and adolescent health, behavioral health interventions, and public health systems strengthening in underserved populations across the globe. Dr. Ehiri is the editor of Maternal and Child Health: Global Challenges, Programs, and Policies, a widely used graduate-level global health text held in over 400 libraries worldwide. He has held multiple influential academic and research leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Health Promotion Sciences from 2009 to 2020 and Principal Investigator of major federally funded initiatives. His work has contributed to strengthening public health training pipelines through programs like the HRSA-supported Graduate Certificate in MCH Epidemiology and the NIH-funded Framework Program for Global Health, which built educational partnerships in low- and middle-income countries. Internationally recognized, Dr. Ehiri has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and provided technical assistance to the WHO, UN agencies, and other global health organizations. His dedication to mentorship and education has earned him multiple teaching awards, and his students' projects span over 20 countries. He was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, in 2017, and in 2025, he received the University of Arizona’s Distinguished Outreach Professor Award for his exemplary contributions to the university’s mission and societal impact. Dr. Ehiri holds an MPH and PhD in Public Health from the University of Glasgow and an MSc (Econ.) in Health Policy and Planning from the University of Wales, Swansea.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Internal medicine
• Environmental health
• Family medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Intensive care medicine
• Gerontology
• Emergency medicine
• Psychology
• Pathology
• Endocrinology
• Social psychology
• Physical therapy
• Clinical psychology
• Oncology

Selected publications

• Linear goal programming to improve the diets of patients with type 2 diabetes in Benin

  Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Understanding the role of family functioning, dietary adherence, and culture on glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes: A mediation and moderation analysis

  PLoS ONE · 2025-04-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Families and cultural contexts can impact dietary adherence and glycemic control of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Yet little is known about these relationships in Africa, where poor dietary adherence and glycemic control are prevalent. To address this gap, this study investigated whether dietary adherence mediates family functioning and glycemic control among T2D adults in Benin, West Africa. We also explored whether cultural identity affected the association between family functioning and dietary adherence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 512 T2D patients from six health centers was conducted to assess: 1) family functioning with the 12-item McMaster Family Assessment Device-General Functioning Subscale (FAD-GF); 2) dietary adherence via the Perceived Dietary Adherence Questionnaire (PDAQ); and 3) cultural identity with the 12-item Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). The three-month glycemic control was determined with Glycated Hemoglobin - HbA1c. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using Stata's structural equation model (SEM). RESULTS: Healthy family functioning, good dietary adherence and good glycemic control rates were 56.8%, 33%, and 30.5% respectively. Path analysis showed that healthy family functioning was significantly associated with lower HbA1c levels (-0.34, 95% CI: [-0.72, -0.03]), and there was a significant indirect effect via greater dietary adherence (-0.12, 95% CI: [-0.22, -0.01]). However, cultural identity did not significantly impact the relationship between family functioning and dietary adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that family functioning, adherence to dietary recommendations, and glycemic control are interconnected in adults with T2D. Interventions should target modifiable factors like dietary adherence and address relevant risk and resilience sources to improve glycemic control in urban African families.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The influence of perceived neighborhood disorder on HIV care-related decisions: A qualitative study

  PLoS ONE · 2025-04-30

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The study used a qualitative approach to explore how perceived neighborhood disorder influences health-related decisions among people living with HIV. Recognizing the crucial role environmental factors play in health behaviors, this research seeks to bridge a gap in understanding how neighborhood dynamics affect individuals with HIV. A qualitative research design with interpretive qualitative analysis was used. The interview guide and analysis were guided by the Broken Windows Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, enabling an exploration of the intersection between environmental perceptions and healthcare behaviors. Data were collected through telephonic in-depth interviews with 18 participants from two HIV clinics from June 2022 to February 2023. Interviews were analyzed using the Dedoose software 9.0.17 and narratives were enriched using their survey data from a cross-sectional study with a validated scale to measure perceived neighborhood disorder. Our findings show that perceived neighborhood disorder influences HIV care-related decisions through a diminished sense of control pathway. Also, healthcare settings emerge as a mitigator of the influence of perceived neighborhood disorder on HIV care-related decisions by offering a sense of control. Perception of lower neighborhood disorder correlates with a strong sense of control and a preference for specialized care. As the perception of neighborhood disorder increases, there is a shift toward care settings that balance specialized services with a supportive care environment. A higher perception of neighborhood disorder leads to prioritized care settings that provide a sense of community support, and discretion, reflecting adaptations to a compromised sense of control. This research underscores the influence of neighborhood disorder on health-related decisions through the pathway of self-control, emphasizing the role that healthcare environments play as mitigators. For chronic disease management, such as with HIV, the development of healthcare settings that reinforce patient autonomy and control, alongside community efforts to diminish signs of disorder, and their underlying causes is crucial.

  PublisherDOI

• EE501 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Screening for Cervical Lesion and Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer In Nigeria

  Value in Health · 2025-07-01 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Medication therapy management lifestyle and wellness program for patients in rural Arizona

  Journal of the American Pharmacists Association · 2025-01-05 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Developing and validating a HEalthCare NAvigation Competency (HECNAC) Scale for refugees in the United States

  PLoS ONE · 2025-01-30 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  The complex healthcare system in the United States (US) poses significant challenges for people, particularly minorities such as refugees. Refugees often encounter additional layers of challenges to healthcare navigation due to unfamiliarity with the system, limited health literacy, and language barriers. Despite their challenges, it is difficult to identify the gaps as few tools exist to measure navigation competency among this population and many conventional tools assume English proficiency, making them inadequate for refugees and other immigrants. To address this gap, this study developed and validated a HEalthCare NAvigation Competency (HECNAC) Scale tailored to refugees' needs. The scale development process followed three phases: domain identification through a literature review and stakeholder interviews (n = 15), content validation through the Delphi method (2 rounds, n = 12), and face validity assessment via cognitive interviews (2 rounds, n = 4). Based on a literature review and stakeholder interviews, the initial version of the scale was developed, including ten domains and 47 items. An introductory email concerning the scale and the Delphi process was subsequently sent to 21 eligible experts, including staff from refugee resettlement agencies, health care providers serving refugee communities, and refugees. Twelve experts completed the two rounds of the Delphi, resulting in a consensus on 39 items. After conducting cognitive interviews with 4 Afghan refugees, the scale was finalized with ten domains and 35 items. The finalized scale captures multifaceted aspects of healthcare navigation crucial for refugees, organized into domains such as health system knowledge, insurance, making an appointment, transportation, preparing for a visit, in the clinic, interpretation, medicine, medical bills, and preventive care. Overall, the HECNAC Scale represents a significant step towards understanding and assessing refugees' competencies in navigating the US healthcare system. It has the potential to guide tailored interventions and standardized training curricula and ultimately mitigate persistent barriers faced by refugees in accessing healthcare services.

  PublisherDOI

• Palliative Treatment and Traditional Medicine Among Patients with Cancer in Kumasi, Ghana: Needs for Patient Education

  Journal of Cancer Education · 2025-10-08

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Perceived neighborhood disorder and achieving HIV viral suppression among adults living with HIV: A cross-sectional study

  PLOS Global Public Health · 2024-12-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for achieving and maintaining viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLWH). While individual factors affecting HIV viral suppression have been extensively studied, there is less attention on community-level factors, specifically perceived neighborhood disorder. This study aims to assess the relationship between perceived neighborhood disorder and achieving virologic suppression among people living with HIV. One hundred and eighty-eight PLWH 18 years of age and older from two HIV clinics completed a cross-sectional study. We assessed perceptions of neighborhood disorder, ART self-efficacy, social support, alcohol and drug use, depression, HIV stigma, provider-patient relationship, demographics, and length at the zip code. HIV viral loads were obtained from the clinical record. The analysis involved the use of Fisher's Exact test, Spearman's Rank test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Firth logistic regression. All analyses were conducted using STATA 17. Most participants were male (79%), white (62%), and identified as non-Hispanic (66%). Individuals with no perceived neighborhood disorder had median scores of 10 for integration and perseverance in ART self-efficacy. Those with high perceived disorder displayed decreased scores of 8.4 and 8.3 for integration and perseverance respectively. Both integration and perseverance showed statistically significant negative correlations with perceived neighborhood disorder, (Spearman's rho -0.2966; p<0.000 and -0.2387; p = 0.0010 respectively). Individuals with virologic suppression (n = 167) reported significantly lower perceived neighborhood disorder scores (median = 0.9 [IQR: 0.2-2.0]) compared to those without virologic suppression (n = 10, median = 3.2 [IQR: 2.4-4], p = 0.0012). The study highlights a notable correlation between perceived neighborhood disorder, ART adherence self-efficacy, and virologic suppression. This indicates that improving HIV treatment outcomes needs to extend beyond individual-level factors and include strategies to address neighborhood-level conditions. Public health policies and programs should consider the broader social and environmental contexts in which people living with HIV reside.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Individual- and community-level risk factors for maternal morbidity and mortality among Native American women in the USA: a systematic review

  BMJ Open · 2024-11-01 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen access

  INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM) is a public health concern in the USA, with Native American women experiencing higher rates than non-Hispanic White women. Research on risk factors for MMM among Native American women is limited. This systematic review comprehensively synthesizes and critically appraises the literature on risk factors for MMM experienced by Native American women. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic search was conducted on 10 October 2022 in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus for articles published since 2012. Selection criteria included observational studies set in the USA, involving Native American women in the perinatal period, and examining the relationship between risk factors and MMM outcomes. Three reviewers screened and extracted data from the included studies, with risk of bias assessed using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tools. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: 15 studies were included. All studies used administrative databases, with settings, including nationwide (seven studies), statewide (four studies) and Indian reservations (four studies). The majority of studies focused on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (eight studies) and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) (four studies). 26 risk factors were identified. Key risk factors included Native American race (six studies), rural maternal residency (four studies), overweight/obese body mass index (two studies), maternal age (two studies), nulliparity (two studies) and pre-existing medical conditions (one study). CONCLUSION: This review identified risk factors associated with MMM among Native American women, including rural residency, overweight or obesity and advanced maternal age. However, the findings also reveal a scarcity of research specific to this population, limiting the ability to fully understand these risk factors and develop effective interventions. These results emphasise the need for further research and culturally relevant studies to inform public health and address disparities for Native American women, particularly those in rural areas. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022363405.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Neighborhood characteristics and HIV treatment outcomes: A scoping review

  PLOS Global Public Health · 2024-02-13 · 7 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Recognizing challenges faced by people living with HIV is vital for improving their HIV treatment outcomes. While individual-level interventions play a crucial role, community factors can shape the impact of individual interventions on treatment outcomes. Understanding neighborhood characteristics' association with HIV treatment outcomes is crucial for optimizing effectiveness. This review aims to summarize the research scope on the association between neighborhood characteristics and HIV treatment outcomes. The databases PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase (Elsevier), and PsychINFO (EBSCOhost) were searched from the start of each database to Nov 21, 2022. Screening was performed by three independent reviewers. Full-text publications of all study design meeting inclusion criteria were included in the review. There were no language or geographical limitations. Conference proceedings, abstract only, and opinion reports were excluded from the review. The search yielded 7,822 publications, 35 of which met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Studies assessed the relationship between neighborhood-level disadvantage (n = 24), composition and interaction (n = 17), social-economic status (n = 18), deprivation (n = 16), disorder (n = 8), and rural-urban status (n = 7) and HIV treatment outcomes. The relationship between all neighborhood characteristics and HIV treatment outcomes was not consistent across studies. Only 7 studies found deprivation had a negative association with HIV treatment outcomes; 6 found that areas with specific racial/ethnic densities were associated with poor HIV treatment outcomes, and 5 showed that disorder was associated with poor HIV treatment outcomes. Three studies showed that rural residence was associated with improved HIV treatment outcomes. There were inconsistent findings regarding the association between neighborhood characteristics and HIV treatment outcomes. While the impact of neighborhood characteristics on disease outcomes is highly recognized, there is a paucity of standardized definitions and metrics for community characteristics to support a robust assessment of this hypothesis. Comparative studies that define and assess how specific neighborhood indicators independently or jointly affect HIV treatment outcomes are highly needed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R25TW007501

  NIH · $377k · 2009

Frequent coauthors

• Pauline E. Jolly

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  29 shared

• Halimatou Alaofè

  University of Arizona

  24 shared

• Ebere C. Anyanwu

  22 shared

• Cecilia Rosales

  19 shared

• Ibitola O. Asaolu

  18 shared

• Martin Meremikwu

  University of Calabar

  16 shared

• Echezona E. Ezeanolue

  University of Nigeria

  16 shared

• Kacey C. Ernst

  University of Arizona

  15 shared

Awards & honors

• University Distinguished Outreach Professor (2025)
• U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (…
• Distinguished Outreach Professor Award from the University o…