About

Leah Frerichs, PhD, is a public health researcher and educator whose work integrates systems science, community collaboration, and innovative approaches to improving health outcomes. As an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, she leads interdisciplinary research focused on participatory systems thinking, simulation modeling, and technology-driven health interventions. Her research spans over 85 peer-reviewed publications and numerous federally and foundation-funded projects, including initiatives to improve cancer screening, youth mental health, and healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Frerichs is especially known for her collaborative work with communities and her commitment to practical, community-informed solutions. She teaches graduate-level courses in research methods and mentors a wide range of doctoral and master’s students. She has received multiple honors for her work, including the UNC Provost Award for Engaged Research and the Gillings School’s Research Excellence Award.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Sociology
• Social Science
• Machine Learning
• Data science
• Criminology
• Knowledge management
• Algorithm
• Law
• Management science
• Biology
• Geography
• Social psychology
• Psychology
• Gender studies
• Engineering

Selected publications

• Assessing Implementation of Clinic–Community Partnerships Treating Pediatric Obesity

  Childhood Obesity · 2026-04-08

  article

  Background: Although intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT) is effective for treating youth obesity, it is not accessible to many. Our objective was to examine the implementation of Fit Together, an evidence-based IHBLT clinic–community model delivered by health care and local parks and recreation. Methods: This study used a hybrid type 3 implementation-effectiveness design to examine uptake and implementation of the Fit Together model in eight North Carolina counties from 2016 to 2021. Each Fit Together partnership was provided with an implementation manual, training, technical assistance, and financial support. Implementation outcomes included partnership characteristics and program delivery (e.g., hours, referrals, attendance). Effectiveness outcomes included engagement (dose received), changes in child lifestyle habits, quality of life, and body mass index (BMI). Descriptive statistics described implementation outcomes, and linear regression models examined changes in participant-level outcomes. Results: All eight locations implemented Fit Together (range: 5–18 months). A total of 1193 youth with obesity (12 years ± 3.0, 52.4% female) were referred to a Fit Together program. Of referred youth, 20% (241/1193) attended ≥ 1 session, of which 85% (205/241) attended ≥2 sessions. Nearly a third of engaged participants (29%, 70/241) received ≥26 treatment hours. For each additional session attended, BMI percent of the 95 th percentile declined ( β = −0.12, p = 0.06). Conclusions: The Fit Together model can be delivered in diverse settings, engage priority populations, and deliver IHBLT in a variety of locations. Future work should test scalability and dissemination strategies for clinic–community models of child obesity treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• Clinician Perspectives on Commonly Used Online Sexual and Reproductive Health Resources for Adolescents: Qualitative Analysis

  JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting · 2026-04-23

  articleOpen access

  Unlabelled: In this interview study with 24 adolescent-serving clinicians, participants described current online sexual and reproductive health resources they share with adolescents and highlighted areas of improvement to better meet the developmental needs of this age group.

  PublisherDOI

• A Mixed Methods Analysis of Risk and Support Factors for Prenatal Alcohol and Substance Use Among American Indian/Alaska Native Birthing People

  Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · 2026-04-23

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A protocol for tracking scholarly output to evaluate the impact of the RADx-UP program on community-engaged COVID-19 research

  Journal of Clinical and Translational Science · 2025-09-02

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Portfolio-level publication tracking collects research output from related programs. Tracking publications is imperative to evaluate the scholarly impact of a program, synthesize program findings, and document impact to funders. A valid tracking protocol increases data quality for accurate impact assessment, but there is little literature on publication tracking methods appropriate for assessing impact across multiple programs. Methods: We tracked, managed, and evaluated publications from the National Institutes of Health-funded Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Underserved Populations, which included over 137 projects and a Coordination and Data Collection Center. During the four-year project, we deployed a quarterly self-report survey to project leads and conducted twice-monthly searches for grant-related publications. Search strategies comprised a simple search of project grant numbers and an enhanced search. We evaluated the sensitivity and positive predictive value of search strategies compared to the surveys. Results: Compared to the survey, the simple search was 21.5% to 27.4% sensitive with a positive predictive value between 81.1% and 95.8%. The enhanced search was 62.6% to 68.0% sensitive with a positive predictive value between 76.2% and 96.9%. Response rates declined over time from a maximum of 61.3% to a minimum of 32.8%. Conclusions: The enhanced search increased specificity in identifying publications, but the survey was necessary to refine strategies and identify missed products. However, the enhanced search may have relieved participant burden in entering citations. These findings may be valuable for coordinating centers, academic departments, working groups, and other academic entities that must quantify the impact of their publications.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Strengthening methods for tracking adaptations and modifications to implementation strategies

  UNC Libraries · 2025-12-19

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Depicting “the system”: How structural racism and disenfranchisement in the United States can cause dynamics in community violence among males in urban black communities

  UNC Libraries · 2025-07-15

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Using a digital health platform to implement a multi-component CRC screening intervention within a federally qualified health center: study protocol for a hybrid type I trial

  BMC Health Services Research · 2025-08-08 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Background Over the past decade, many well-resourced health plans and systems surpassed the 80% colorectal cancer screening rate goal, while lower resource environments such as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) lag behind. FQHCs in rural areas are especially challenged with limited resources to reach diverse patients who often lack consistent engagement with clinical care. mHealth solutions, like mPATH ® CRC, can address these challenges by automating tasks and expanding patient outreach. This platform identifies patients due for CRC screening, educates them on the commonly used screening tests, and helps them select their best option. This paper describes protocols for a study that will implement mPATH ® CRC in FQHCs using a novel outreach strategy that engages patients outside of regular appointments. Methods Following a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, we will conduct a patient-level randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of mPATH ® -CRC over a three-year period. Embedded within the RCT, we will utilize a convergent, mixed methods design for evaluation of the implementation process. The planned trial sample will include 1000 patients who are at average CRC risk and due for screening. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either usual care or outreach through mPATH ® -CRC that includes text messages about screening, multi-media education on screening options, and either mailed FIT or assistance to schedule a colonoscopy. The primary outcome is completion of any CRC screening test within six months of randomization. We will also use surveys and interviews with FQHC personnel to explore integration of mPATH ® -CRC into clinical workflows and sustainability challenges. Discussion This trial will generate insights into the effectiveness and implementation of a digital CRC screening intervention in resource-limited FQHCs. Findings will inform strategies for optimizing outreach components and scaling implementation in similar settings. Trial registration This trial was registered on June 4, 2024, at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT06441487).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Perspectives of American Indians in Eastern North Carolina on Socio-cultural Factors that Influence Colorectal Cancer Screening Decisions

  UNC Libraries · 2025-08-19

  articleOpen access

  American Indians (AI) have disproportionately high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC), but there is relatively little research focused on developing AI CRC screening interventions. We held six focus groups with AIs in rural Eastern U.S. (n=74) and analyzed the qualitative data from them in order to identify individual and socio-cultural factors that influence AI CRC screening decisions. Screening fear and anxiety was a central theme of the focus groups. For example, participants told stories about how late-stage cancer diagnoses and deaths in the community contributed to their fears and cancer fatalism. Furthermore, CRC screening fears were reinforced by health communication norms that limited productive conversations about CRC screening. Our findings indicate that culturally adapted interventions, such as CRC screening decision aids, are needed to help AIs communicate and make informed decisions about CRC screening with support from family and health care providers. More research is needed on the influence of these interventions on CRC screening intentions, social norms, and shared decision-making.

  PublisherDOI

• The influence of acculturation and stress on obesity in US latino dyads using systems science

  Ethnicity and Health · 2025-08-18

  articleSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: Pediatric obesity continues to grow in the US Latino population despite public health efforts. Little work has explored the link between acculturation and stress across caregiver-child dyads using systems science. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were completed with US Latino dyads made up of foreign-born caregivers and US-born children (8-13 years). Participants were recruited from a pediatric weight management clinic in Durham, NC. Interviews were guided by system support mapping to illustrate interconnected components of the child's weight management journey. Maps were thematically coded by responsibilities, needs, resources, wishes. Codes were aggregated across caregivers and children, respectively, and frequency of themes were calculated. RESULTS: 14 dyads completed interviews. Children reported 17 aspects of health within their responsibility, with a focus on physical activity. Children were unaware of available resources beyond their caregivers. Caregivers reported 26 unique responsibilities, with overlap between basic needs and living in low-resource environments. Immigration and acculturation status were major barriers and sources of stress relevant to aspects of the system support map. CONCLUSIONS: Immigration and acculturation status impede pediatric weight management and increase stress in US Latino caregiver-child dyads. Future studies should consider immigration and acculturation status in caregivers and children as a mediator of treatment outcomes.

  PublisherDOI

• Testing a Culturally Adapted Colorectal Cancer Screening Decision Aid Among American Indians: Results from a Pre–Post Trial

  UNC Libraries · 2025-07-10

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  <strong>Purpose:</strong> American Indian adults have not experienced decreases in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality observed in other races or ethnic groups and their screening rates are low. Decision aids that explain available CRC screening options are one potential strategy to promote screening. The goal of this study was to test the effect of a culturally adapted decision aid on CRC-related outcomes among American Indian adults, including screening-related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, intentions, and screening modality preferences. <strong>Methods:</strong> We recruited American Indian adults aged 50-75 years who were not current with CRC screening. Participants viewed a 9-min multimedia decision aid that used narrative vignettes to provide educational information about screening along with messages to address culturally specific barriers and values uncovered in formative research. We conducted a single-arm (pre-post) study and assessed screening-related outcomes at baseline and immediately after viewing the decision aid. <strong>Results:</strong> Among <em>n</em>=104 participants, knowledge scores increased from a mean of 36% correct to 76% correct. Participants also had statistically significant increases in positive attitudes, perceived social norms, self-efficacy, and intent. The proportion of participants who identified a preference for a specific CRC screening modality rose from 81% identified at pre-intervention to 93% post-intervention (<em>p</em>=0.013). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Our study provides promising new findings that our culturally adapted decision aid is efficacious in educating American Indian adults about CRC screening and increases their screening intentions and ability to state modality preferences. Future research is needed to test the decision aid as a component of CRC screening interventions with American Indian adults.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Identifying and Disentangling Social and Physical Environmental Effects on Physical Activity in Diverse Adolescent and Young Adult Populations

  NIH · $780k · 2017–2023

Frequent coauthors

• Mysha Wynn

  52 shared

• Stephanie Hoover

  University of North Carolina Health Care

  52 shared

• Stacy Tessler Lindau

  52 shared

• Doris Stith

  E Ink (South Korea)

  52 shared

• Nicole Robinson‐Ezekwe

  National Institutes of Health

  51 shared

• Giselle Corbie

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  50 shared

• Cambray Smith

  50 shared

• Anisha Khanna

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  50 shared

Education

• PhD

  University of Nebraska College of Public Health

Awards & honors

• Award for Engaged Research 2025
• Research Excellence Award 2024