Aloha mai kaua! Welcome to the website of Lana Sue Ka'opua, Ph.D., DCSW, LSW.

Overview of Research-Scholarship

Promoting social justice in the arena of health equity is the overarching goal of my research and scholarship agenda. Advancing culturally-grounded, evidence-informed, psycho-social interventions to promote health through the elimination of cancer and other health disparities is the overall aim. Phenomena of interest include: coping with illness and disability, resiliency factors such as those grounded in culture and spirituality, and health behaviors such as participation in early detection screening and treatment adherence. Taking into account the ecological focus of social work practice and social welfare research, my efforts focus on individual behavior in the context of couple, family, community, and professional networks. Also of concern are health systems that lack resource infrastructure (e.g., trained personnel, technology) which are associated with less than optimal health outcomes among those living in medically under-served communities. Multiple methods, including both qualitative and quantitative strategies are used, depending on the research question. Inquiries are guided by Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles and approaches. CBPR emphasizes research for and with those affected and includes attention to meaningful involvement of academic researchers and the communities that they serve. Mutuality in learning and dialogue with community partners across the research trajectory are stressed.

Active Grants

B.Y. Hernandez, Principal Investigator
L.S. Ka‘opua, Principal Investigator
V.Tofaeono Williams, Co-Principal Investigator
"Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and barriers to cervical cancer control in American Samoa"
2008-2009

L.S. Ka‘opua, Principal Investigator
CA 105088
"A Faith-Based Breast Cancer Screening Intervention with Older, Native Hawaiian Women"
August 2004-July 2009