Allison Lazard

About

Allison Lazard is an Associate Professor at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, where she specializes in health communication with a focus on how visual design influences message perception in digital environments. Her research aims to develop effective health messages that promote social connectedness and well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young adults from marginalized backgrounds. Lazard's work involves designing and deploying social media messages to encourage in-person social interactions, leveraging her expertise in communication science to ensure messages are relevant, engaging, and impactful. She is a key collaborator in a research project led by Barbara Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, which investigates how social media messages can reduce social isolation and improve health outcomes. Lazard contributed to the creation of a controlled social media environment called 'clikbrite,' enabling large-scale, reproducible trials to study the causal effects of digital health campaigns without the risks associated with real social media platforms. Her efforts are part of a broader initiative to address the health consequences of loneliness and social isolation, which include increased risks for premature death, heart disease, stroke, and mental health issues. Lazard's interdisciplinary work exemplifies the application of communication science to public health challenges, aiming to foster social…

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Medicine
• Political Science
• Social psychology
• Internet privacy
• Psychiatry
• Computer Security
• Developmental psychology

Selected publications

• Tobacco Quit Intentions and Behaviors among Cigar Smokers in the United States in Response to COVID-19

  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020 · 99 citations

  Combustible tobacco users appear to be at greater risk for serious complications from COVID-19. This study examined cigar smokers’ perceived risk of COVID-19, quit intentions, and behaviors during the current pandemic. We conducted an online study between 23 April 2020 to 7 May 2020, as part of an ongoing study examining perceptions of different health effects of cigars. All participants used cigars in the past 30 days (n = 777). Three-quarters of the sample (76.0%) perceived they had a higher r…

  DOI

• Using Social Media for Peer-to-Peer Cancer Support: Interviews With Young Adults With Cancer

  JMIR Cancer · 2021 · 72 citations

  1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Web-based social support can address social isolation and unmet support needs among young adults with cancer (aged 18-39 years). Given that 94% of young adults own and use smartphones, social media can offer personalized, accessible social support among peers with cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the specific benefits, downsides, and topics of social support via social media among young adults with cancer. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with young adults…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The impact of front-of-package claims, fruit images, and health warnings on consumers' perceptions of sugar-sweetened fruit drinks: Three randomized experiments

  Preventive Medicine · 2020 · 71 citations

  DOI

• Motivations and Barriers for the Use of Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messaging Insights from Focus Groups

  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020 · 70 citations

  Widespread use of face coverings is a key public health strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, few studies have examined why Americans use or do not use face coverings, and little is known about the most effective messaging strategies. This study explored perceptions of face coverings, including motivations and barriers for use, and examined reactions to messaging promoting the use of face coverings. Six virtual focus groups were conducted with 34 North Carolina residents in July 2…

  DOI

• Cues for Increasing Social Presence for Mobile Health App Adoption

  Journal of Health Communication · 2020 · 47 citations

  1st authorCorresponding

  = 587) with US adults. We also examined the indirect effects of conversation and community cues through social presence on app trust, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and intentions to use the app. We found that conversational cues elicited intended feelings for new, emergent interactions and that community cues increased perceptions of ongoing or established social formations for transcendent interactions. These cues also had positive indirect effects for increased trust, perceived…

  DOI

Frequent coauthors

• Marissa G. Hall

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  41 shared

• Michael Mackert

  The University of Texas at Austin

  39 shared

• Seth M. Noar

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  38 shared

• Jennifer Cornacchione Ross

  Boston University

  33 shared

• Noel T. Brewer

  26 shared

• Kurt M. Ribisl

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  25 shared

• Erin L. Sutfin

  Wake Forest University

  24 shared

• Anna H. Grummon

  Stanford University

  21 shared

Labs

• Allison Lazard LabPI

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