Dr. Lisa Sparks

Dr. Lisa Sparks

Professor, Foster and Mary McGaw Endowed Professor in Behavioral Sciences
School of Communication; Health and Strategic Communication
School of Pharmacy
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; Health Sciences
School of Communication; Communication Studies
Expertise: Health Communication; Cancer Communication; Caregiving; Aging; Research Methods;
Office Location: Doti Hall 202B
Phone: (714) 997-6703
Website: https://www.chapman.edu/communication/message-from-the-dean.aspx
Scholarly Works:
Digital Commons
Education:
University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts
University of Oklahoma, Master of Arts
University of Oklahoma, Ph.D.

Video Profile

Biography

Dr. Sparks serves as Endowed Professor in Behavioral Sciences in the School of Communication, of which she was the Founding Dean, with joint appointments in the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and School of
Pharmacy at Chapman University. She previously served as Department Chair and Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Sparks is an internationally renowned teacher-scholar whose published work spans more than 150 research articles and book chapters and 13 books in the areas of health risk communication and aging and is cited as top ten most prolific authors in Health Communication. In addition, she holds post graduate certifications from Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE) program in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Chapman in 2006, Dr. Sparks occupied faculty positions at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Sparks has served in the following roles: International Research Fellow at Vriet Universitiet Amsterdam; Full Member of the Chao Family/NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of California, Irvine; Cancer Communication Research Fellow for the National Cancer Institute and External Scientific Reviewer for NIH; Consultant for U. S. House of Representatives; Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, and Consultant on various research grants; Editor, Guest Editor, and Reviewer of numerous academic journals and editorial boards. Dr. Sparks has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, ABC 7 News, KCAL 9 News, National Public Radio, Your World with Neil Cavuto-Fox News, Epoch Times-California Insider Show, KABC Talk Radio, and TED.


Dr. Sparks serves her community as President and Trustee of the Orange County Board of Education, elected in 2018 (56.8% of the vote with more than 80,000 votes) and re-elected in 2022 (65% of the vote with more than 100,000 votes) in South County Area 5 to promote and advocate for quality public school choice options in K12 Orange County school districts. In 2019, Dr. Sparks was recruited as a candidate to run for United States House of Representatives (CA-45) campaigning in a crowded field of 7 candidates without further advancement to the general election. In 2020, Dr. Sparks was awarded the Club for Growth Foundation Fellowship, Washington, D. C. The Club for Growth Foundation Fellowship Program equips civic leaders to effectively explain the relationship between a free society, economic liberty, and limited government.


Dr. Sparks’ achievements, leadership qualities, and strong commitment to advance the intersections of health
communication and aging in the cancer care context and making a positive impact in her community are significant as evidenced by: a) the number of publications (over 150) most of which are peer-reviewed, and 13 books; b) the obtainment and effort to obtain competitive peer-reviewed research grants and contracts; c) the recognition of her scientific stature; d) her collaborations with the top national and international scientists in communication and related scientific fields such as public health, medicine, and gerontology; e) her teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students and junior faculty; and f) her demonstrated leadership, administrative, editorial, community service roles, and media appearances.


Check out Dr. Sparks’ invited TED talks:
2013, "Why Health Communication Can Change (SAVE) Your Life" TEDxChapmanU: http://youtu.be/1plLYlt9zPM


2011, “Health Risk Messages and Decision-Making” TEDxOrangeCoast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4JNyyuonko


Check out articles and clips featured in the media:
2020, California Insider—The Epoch Times: California’s College Campuses Face Attacks on Free Speech; Cancel
Culture Expands | Lisa Sparks: December 7, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgmhGgxRoFU


2020, Your World With Neil Cavuto: FOX News July 17, 2020 1:00pm-2:00pm PDT https://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20200717_200000_Your_World_With_Neil_Cavuto/start/240/end/300


2019, Facilitator, Center for Freedom of Expression Debate, School of Communication, Chapman University.
https://abc7.com/politics/sarah-huckabee-sanders-speaks-at-chapman-university-event/5710253/


2017, Invited featured article “Building Character at Chapman University” https://orangereview.com/article/lisasparks-phd Orange Plaza Review, Sept/Oct, 2017.


2016, Health communication segment featuring Dr. Lisa Sparks on PBS SoCal-Plus.
http://www.scitechnow.org/videos/closing-gap-doctors-patients/


2014, Creating a Healthy Dialogue Between Doctor and Patient
http://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/businessplus/chapmanu/la-ss-lisa-sparks-20140402 dto,0,2272893.story#ixzz2yt0TEq1Y


2014, Teaching Professionals the Art of Health Communication
http://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/businessplus/chapmanu/la-ss-health-communication-20140402-
dto,0,542181.story#axzz2yt04ivgF


2014, Mixed Messages on Ebola. Orange County Register, Chapman University Section (p.2) (November 3, 2014),
Orange County, CA.


2013, Preventing gun violence: More than a legal issue, it’s become a public health concern. Orange County Register, Chapman University Section (p.2) (April 30, 2013), Orange County, CA.

Recent Creative, Scholarly Work and Publications

Sparks, L. & Wright, K.B. (2024/in press). Health Communication in the 21ST Century (3rd). Oxford, UK, Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: SIKHISM IN CHIANG MAI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGnPx1a3z9s
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: KIM NAM JAM FAI
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: CHIANG MAI ON MY MIND https://youtu.be/Mc2BJ7y0cA0
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: MUAY THAI: THE SPORT OF HONOR https://youtu.be/qHVkAryabQM
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: OH MY BUDDHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxmk1Ppto60
2024, Faculty Advisor and Producer, School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Documentary: NON THE ELEPHANT KEEPER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGzsvesB0U&feature=youtu.be
Sparks, L. (2023). Models of clinician-patient communication. In The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication (eds E. Y. Ho, C. L. Bylund, J. C. M. van Weert, I. Basnyat, N. Bol and M. Dean). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0681
Sparks, L. (2024/in press). Cancer communication in rural healthcare environments. Cambridge Elements in Health Communication, 1 (pp. xx-xx). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.
2023, Hospitals latest PR concern: The Netflix documentary. Becker’s Health IT with Giles Bruce. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-marketing/hospitals-latest-pr-concern-the-netflix-documentary.html
2023, Moderator, Savvy Safety in Public Schools Forum, Orange County Board of Education, Costa Mesa, CA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAsE67Wp-bw
2023, Invited keynote commencement speaker, Education is a gift that keeps on giving throughout your lifetime. EPIC charter school class of 2023 graduation ceremony, Irvine, CA.
2023, Invited speaker, Leadership roles from the university to the dias: Making a difference in our schools and communities. InSpire Women in Business Speaker Series, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, Newport Beach, CA.
2024, Invited Speaker, Effectiveness of Communication Skills in the Workplace: Health Communication Perspectives. Communication Symposium, Rockville Campus Theatre Arts Arena, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD.
Wright, K.B., Sparks, L., & O’Hair, D. O. (2023/in press). Health Communication in the 21ST Century (2nd, Indonesian edition). Oxford, UK, Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.
Sparks, L. (2022). Water Issues Affecting Californians. A Public Policy Conference Highlighting Key Local and Regional Issues. Chapman University, Orange, CA. https://www.chapman.edu/communication/water-abundance-conference.aspx
2022, Invited keynote speaker, Best practices in health care communication with patients: The crucial role of relational communication in the changing field of medicine. Davis Health System, Elkins, West Virginia. Continuing Medical Education Objectives: Obtain evidence-based knowledge and understanding of effective patient and provider communication; Apply relational communication theoretical principles into health care practice.
2022, Invited speaker, Five Public Speaking Tips. Pacifica Christian High School, Newport Beach, CA.
2023, Innovative Funding Pathways for Orange County K12 Public Charter Schools Initiative. KNSI National Radio Show: Ox in DC Chamber, featuring Dr. Lisa Sparks, President, Orange County Board of Education. https://knsiradio.com/ox-in-the-afternoon/
2021, Invited to serve as Advisory Board Member, Cambridge Elements in Health Communication. Cambridge University Press.
Kreps, G.L., Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., & LaBelle, S. (2020). Promoting convergence between health literacy and health communication. In R.A. Logan & E.R. Siegel (Eds.), Health literacy in clinical practice and public health: New initiatives and lessons learned at the intersection with other disciplines. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: JEEPNEY.
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: YAMA (Mountain)
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: KALINGA (care).
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: LOCAL HERO
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: HAVE YOU EATEN?
2020, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: OUTSOURCING THE FUTURE
Berman, A., Bevan, J.L., & Sparks, L. (2020). Readiness to visit university counseling centers: Social support, stigma, and communication efficacy. Journal of Student Affairs, Research, and Practice, 57, 282-295.
Anderson, K., Sparks, L., Zheng, J., & Rakovski, C., (2020). Identifying behavioral differences between people with and without previous cancer diagnosis. Cogent Social Sciences, 6(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2020.1728950
Sparks, L. (2020). Your World With Neil Cavuto: FOX News July 17, 2020 1:00pm-2:00pm PDT https://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20200717_200000_Your_World_With_Neil_Cavuto/start/240/end/300
2020, California Insider—The Epoch Times: California’s College Campuses Face Attacks on Free Speech; Cancel Culture Expands | Lisa Sparks: December 7, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgmhGgxRoFU
2019, Facilitator, Center for Freedom of Expression Debate, School of Communication, Chapman University/Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, CA. https://abc7.com/politics/sarah-huckabee-sanders-speaks-at-chapman-university-event/5710253/
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: Son of Everest
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin &n. M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: The Divine Madman
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: Running With the Stars.
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: Momo
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: Monklets of Bhutan.
2019, Faculty Advisor and Producer (with S. Rubin & M. Ross), School of Communication and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Documentary: Land of Gold
Sparks, L., & Leahy, A. (2018). Conversing with Cancer: How to ask questions, Find and Share Information, and Make the Best Decisions. www.ConversingWithCancer.com. Peter Lang Publishers.
Kreps, G. L., Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., & LaBelle, S. (in press/2018). Promoting Convergence Between Health Literacy and Health Communication. In Logan, R. (Ed.), Health literacy in clinical practice and public health: New initiatives and lessons learned at the intersection with other disciplines. IOS Press.
Berman, A., Bevan, J. L., & Sparks, L. (2018). Assessing College Students’ Readiness to Seek University Mental Health Services: Links with Social Support, Stigma, and Communication Efficacy. Manuscript submitted for publication.
2018, Featured Article, Chapman News Blog: ‘Conversing With Cancer’ A new book by Chapman faculty members offers a prescription for better health communication practices. https://blogs.chapman.edu/news-and-stories/2018/08/10/conversing-with-cancer/
Sparks, L. & Kreps, G. L. (2017). Cancer communication science: Intergroup perspectives. In J. Harwood, & H. Giles (Eds.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Intergroup Communication (pp. xx-xx). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2017, Faculty Advisor and Producer, Hermano a Hermano, Dodge College of Media Arts Documentary, Chapman University, Orange, CA. https://vimeo.com/201630853
2017, Faculty Advisor and Producer, Los Calles en Cambio, Dodge College of Media Arts Documentary, Chapman University, Orange, CA. https://vimeo.com/201706406/8fdc5b89b7
2017, Faculty Advisor and Producer, La Maquina, Dodge College of Media Arts Documentary, Chapman University, Orange, CA. https://vimeo.com/201780890
Wenzel, L., Mukamel, D., Osann, K., Havrilesky, L., Sparks, L., Lipscomb, J., Wright, A., Walker, J., Alvarez, R., Van Le, L., Robinson, K., Bristow, R., Morgan, R. J., Rimel, B., Ladd, H., Hsieh, S., Wahi, A., & Cohn, D. (2017). Rationale and Study Protocol for the Patient-Centered Outcome Aid (PCOA) Randomized Controlled Trial: A Personalized Decision Tool for Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer Patients. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 57. 10.1016/j.cct.2017.03.006.
2017, Invited featured article “Building Character at Chapman University” Orange Plaza Review, Sept/Oct, 2017.
Bevan, J. L., Cummings, M. B., Engert, M. L., & Sparks, L. (2016). Serial argument perceived resolvability, goals, rumination and conflict strategy usage: A preliminary longitudinal study. In J. A. Samp (Ed.), Communicating Interpersonal Conflict in Close Relationships: Contexts, Challenges, and Opportunities (pp. 128-143). New York, NY: Routledge.
Health communication segment featuring Dr. Lisa Sparks airs Friday, July 22, at 5:30 pm on PBS SoCal and Thursday, July 28 at 4 pm on PBS SoCal-Plus. http://www.scitechnow.org/videos/closing-gap-doctors-patients/
2016, Executive Producer, Happiest Place on Earth, Dodge College of Media Arts Documentary, Chapman University, Orange, CA. https://vimeo.com/164970625 Password: hpe2016
Wenzel, L., Mukamel, D., Cohn, D., Havrilesky, L., Wright, A., Lipscomb, J., Sparks, L., Ladd, H., & Osann, K. (2016). Time trade-offs in advanced ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 34. 20-20. 10.1200/jco.2016.34.26_suppl.20.
Sparks, L., Hefner, V., & Rogeness, A. H. (2015). The state of cancer care communication across the lifespan: The role of resilience, hope, and decision-making. T. Socha and G. Beck (Eds.) Communicating Hope and Resilience across the Lifespan. New York & Berlin, Peter Lang.
Burgers, C., Beukeboom, C.J., Sparks, L., & Diepeveen, V. (2015). How (not) to inform patients about drug use: Use and effects of negations in Dutch patient information leaflets. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 24(2), 137-143. doi: 10.1002/pds.3679.
Kee, K., Sparks, L., Struppa, D.C., Manucci, M., & Damiano, A. (in press/2015). Innovation diffusion, social media, and the simplicial model of social aggregation: Computational simulation of cluster traversers for community health interventions. Health Communication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2014.960061
Sparks, L., & Miller-Day, M. (2014). Methodological approaches to eliminating health disparities. In B. Whaley (Ed.) Research Methods in Health Communication: Principles and Application (pp. 318-336). New York and Abingdon, UK: Taylor and Francis.
Robertson, B., Sparks, L., & Gordon, A. (2014). Health care reform: Value differences between liberal and conservative candidates and voters. "AlieNation: The Divide and Conquer Election of 2012." Peter Lang.
Sparks, L., Kee, K., & Struppa, D. C. (2014). Social aggregates in health contexts. In W. Donsbach (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Communication, 4, (pp 1272-1274). Oxford, UK and Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Sparks, L. & Bevan, J. L. (2014). Distance caregiving. In W. Donsbach (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Communication, 4, (pp 365-367). Oxford, UK and Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Sparks, L. (2014). Social identity and health: An intergroup approach. In W. Donsbach (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Communication, 4, (pp 1287-1290). Oxford, UK and Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Sparks, L. (2014). Family caregiving. In W. Donsbach (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Communication, 4, (pp 488-490). Oxford, UK and Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Bevan, J. L., Gomez, R., & Sparks, L. (2014). Disclosures about important life events on Facebook: Relationships with stress and quality of life. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 246-253.
Kreps, G. L., & Sparks, L. (in press/2014). Cancer communication. In G. A. Colditz & J. G. Golson (Ed.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society (2nd) (pp. xx-xx). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Kreps, G. L., & Sparks, L. (in press/2014). National Cancer Institute. In G. A. Colditz & J. G. Golson (Ed.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society (2nd) (pp. xx-xx). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2014, Teaching Professionals the Art of Health Communication http://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/businessplus/chapmanu/la-ss-health-communication-20140402-dto,0,542181.story#axzz2yt04ivgF
2014, Creating a Healthy Dialogue Between Doctor and Patient http://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/businessplus/chapmanu/la-ss-lisa-sparks-20140402-dto,0,2272893.story#ixzz2yt0TEq1Y
2014, Mixed Messages on Ebola. Orange County Register, Chapman University Section (p.2) (November 3, 2014), Orange County, CA.
Tukachinsky, R., Hefner, V., & Sparks, L. (2014). Mental health depictions in entertainment television content: Entertainment Industry Council 2013-2014 project report. Unpublished research report.
Bevan, J. L., Sparks, L., Ernst, J., Francies, J., & Santora, N. (2013). Information sources in relation to information quality, information-seeking, and uncertainty in the context of healthcare reform. In R. Ahmed & B. R. Bates (Eds.), Health Communication and Mass Media: Applying Research to Public Health Policy and Practice (pp. 19-34). Farnham, UK: Gower Publishers.
Sparks, L. (2013). Health communication and caregiving research, policy, and practice. Caregiving across the professions: A multi-disciplinary, coordinated perspective (pp. 131-175). Springer.
Wright, K. B., Sparks, L., & O’Hair, H. D. (2013). Health communication in the 21st century (2nd). Oxford, England: Blackwell.
Kreps, G. L., Kim, P., Sparks, L., Neuhauser, L, Daugherty, C. G., Canzona, M. R., Kim, W., & Jun, J. (2013). Introducing the Global Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA): Training health advocates around the world to champion the needs of health care consumers. In G. L. Kreps, & P. Dini, (Eds.), Global health 2012: The first international conference on global health challenges (pp. 97-100). Wilmington, DE: International Academy, Research, and Industry Association (IARIA).
Kreps, G.L., Kim, P., Sparks, L., Neuhauser, L., Daugherty, C.G., Canzona, M.R., Kim, W., & Jun, J. (2013). Promoting Effective Health Advocacy to Promote Global Health: The Case of the Global Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA). International Journal on Advances in Life Sciences, 5(1 & 2), 66-78.
Kee, K., Mannucci, M., Sparks, L., & Struppa, D. C., (2013). Social groups, social media, and higher dimensional social structures: A simplicial model of social aggregation for computational communication research. Communication Quarterly, 61(1), 35-58. DOI: 10.1080/01463373.2012.719566
Bevan, J., & Sparks, L. (2013). The relationship between accurate and benevolently biased serial argument perceptions and individual negative health perceptions. Communication Research, (1-25). DOI: 10.1177/0093650212438391
Kreps, G.L., Kim, P., Sparks, L., & Neuhauser, L. (2013). Supporting cancer advocacy leadership: The Global Advocacy Leadership Academy. Psycho-Oncology, 22(S2) (Supplement 2), 42. (4.668 5-year impact factor).
2013, Preventing gun violence: More than a legal issue, it’s become a public health concern. Orange County Register, Chapman University Section (p.2) (April 30, 2013), Orange County, CA.
2013, "Why Health Communication Can Change (SAVE) Your Life" TEDxChapmanU: http://youtu.be/1plLYlt9zPM
Burgers, C., Buekeboom, C. J., & Sparks, L. (2012). How the doc should (not) talk: When negations influence psychosocial outcomes of doctor-patient interactions. Patient Education and Counseling, 89(2), 267-273 doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2012.08.008.
Rakovski, C., Sparks, L., Robinson, J. D., Kee, K., Bevan, J., & Agne, R. (2012). A regression-based study using jackknife replicates of HINTS III data: Predictors of the efficacy of health information seeking. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 5(3), 163-170.
Bevan, J., Vreeburg, S. K., Verdugo, S., & Sparks, L. (2012). Interpersonal conflict and health perception in long-distance caregiving relationships. Journal of Health Communication 1-15. DOI:10.1080/10810730.2011.650829.
Sparks, L., Bevan, J. & Rogers, K. (2012). An intergroup communication approach to understanding the function of compliance, outgroup typicality, and honest explanations in distant caregiving relationships from an intergroup approach: Validation of a health care communication scale. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 5, 12-22.
Kreps, G., Kim, P., & Sparks, L. (2012). Developing advocacy organizations to support the needs of people confronting cancer: The cancer advocacy leadership academy. Asia Pacific Journal of Communication.
Mirkiani Thompson, N., Bevan, J., & Sparks, L. (2011). Healthcare reform information-seeking: Relationships with uncertainty, uncertainty discrepancy, and health self-efficacy. Journal of Communication in Health Care, 5, 56-66.
Bevan, J., Jupin, A., & Sparks, L. (2011). Information quality, uncertainty, and quality of care in long distance caregiving. Communication Research Reports, 28(2), 190-195. DOI: 10.1080/08824096.2011.566105
Bevan, J., & Sparks, L. (2011). Communication in the context of long-distance family caregiving. An integrated review and practical applications. Patient Education and Counseling, 85, 26-30.
Bevan, J., Rogers, K., Andrews, N., & Sparks, L. (2011). Topic avoidance and negative health perceptions in the distant caregiving context. Journal of Family Communication, 12(4), 300-314.
2011, “Health Risk Messages and Decision-Making” TEDxOrangeCoast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4JNyyuonko
Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. (2010). Patient and provider interaction: A global health communication perspective. Cambridge, UK, Polity Press.
Villagran, M. M., & Sparks, L. (2010). Social identity and health contexts. In H. Giles, S. Reid, & J. Harwood (Eds.), The dynamics of intergroup communication (pp. 235-248). New York & Berlin: Peter Lang.
Sparks, L. & Brougham, R. R. (2010). Health Literacy and older adults: Understanding motivational, cognitive, and emotional barriers. In R.R. Brougham (Ed.), New Directions in Aging Research: Health and Cognition. New York: NOVA Science Publishers.
Villagran, M. M., Weathers, M. Keefe, B., & Sparks, L. (2010). Medical providers as global warming and climate change health educators: A health literacy approach. Communication Education, 59(3), 312-327.
Kreps, G. L., Sparks, L. & Villagran, M. (Eds.) (2010). Communication education and health promotion. [Special Issue]. Communication Education, 59(3).
Kreps, G. L., Sparks, L. & Villagran, M. (Eds.) (2010). Editor’s introduction: Communication education and health promotion. Communication Education, 59(3), 215-219.
Joseph, R. M., Sparks, L., & Robinson, J. D. (2010). Diabetes, foot health education and amputation prevention. Health Communication, 25(6), 607-608.
Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. (2009). Talking Cancer. www.editorialaresta.com
Wanzer, M., Sparks, L., & Frymier, A. B. (2009). Humorous communication within the lives of older adults: The relationships among humor, coping efficacy, age, and life satisfaction. Health Communication, 24, 1-9.
Wright, K. B., Sparks, L., & O’Hair, H. D. (2008). Health communication in the 21st century. Oxford, England: Blackwell.
Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. (2008). La Comunicación en el Cancer: Comunicación y apoyo emocional en el laberinto del cancer. [English translation: Communication and emotional support in the cancer maze.] Madrid, Spain: Aresta.
Sparks, L. (2008). Family decision-making. In W. Donsbach (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Communication, 4, (pp. 1729-1733). Oxford, UK and Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Rowan, K. E., Kreps, G. L., Botan, C. H., Sparks, L., Samoilenko, S., & Bailey, C. (2008). Responding to terrorism: Risk communication, crisis communication, and the CAUSE model. In H. D. O’Hair, R. L. Heath, K. J. Ayotte, and G. R. Ledlow (Eds.), Terrorism: Communication and rhetorical perspectives. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
O’Hair, H. D., & Sparks, L. (2008). Relational agency during life-threatening illnesses. In K. B. Wright & S. D. Moore (Eds.), Applied health communication (pp. 271-289). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Pecchioni, L., Krieger, J. C., Sparks, L., Pitts, M., & Ota, H. (2008). Investigating cancer and ageing from a cultural perspective. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 239-257). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Sparks, L., O’Hair, H. D. & Kreps, G. L. (2008). Conceptualizing cancer communication and aging: New directions for research. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 1-14). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Sparks, L., & Harwood, J. (2008). Cancer, aging, and social identity: Development of an integrated model of social identity theory and health communication. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 77-95). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Sparks, L., & Turner, M. M. (2008). Cognitive and emotional processing of cancer messages and information seeking with older adults. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 17-45). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Egbert, N., Sparks, L., Kreps, G. L., & du Pré, A. (2008). Finding meaning in the journey: Methods of spiritual coping for aging cancer patients. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 277-292). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Harzold, B., & Sparks, L. (2008). When the parent has cancer: A life span developmental approach to adult child perceptions of communication competency, humor orientation, and relational satisfaction in the older adult parent-adult child relationship. In L. Sparks, H. D. O’Hair, & G. L. Kreps, (Eds.), Cancer communication and aging (pp. 215-235). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Sparks, L., O’Hair, H. D., & Kreps, G. L. (Eds.) (2008). Cancer, communication and aging. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Brougham, R.R., Sparks, L., & John, R., Ruby, C., & Goodman, E. (2008). Future time perspective, smoking behavior, and age. Gerontologist, 48, 14-15.
Kreps, G.L., Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., & Villagran, M. (Eds.) (2008). Translational community-based health communication interventions to promote cancer prevention and control for vulnerable audiences [Special Issue] Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 315-350.
Kreps, G.L., Neuhauser, L., Sparks, L., Villagran, M. (2008). The power of community-based health communication interventions to promote cancer prevention and control for at-risk populations. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 315-318.
Kreps, G. L., & Sparks, L. (2008). Meeting the health literacy needs of vulnerable populations. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 328-332.
Sparks, L., & Nussbaum, J. F. (2008). Health literacy and cancer communication with older adults. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 345-350.
Collins, D., Villagran, M. M., & Sparks, L. (2008). Crossing borders, crossing cultures: Barriers to cancer prevention and treatment along the U.S./Mexico border. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 333-339.

Faculty Directories by School or College