Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS

Title(s)Professor of Clinical Population and Public Health Sciences (Educational Scholar)
SchoolKeck School of Medicine of Usc
AddressSSB 318G 2001 N. Soto Street
Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles CA 90033
Phone+1 323 865 0495
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    Other Positions
    Title(s)Director of Pedagogical Enrichment and Training


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    Dr. Mellissa Withers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences (DPPHS). She is Director of the Global Health Program of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, a non-profit network of 60 universities in the region. She is also director of pedagogical enrichment and training for the DPHHS.

    She earned a PhD in community health sciences from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health with a minor in cultural anthropology. She also holds a Master’s in Health Systems (International Health) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a BA in international development from UC Berkeley.

    Her primary research interests lie in community participatory research, immigrant health, mental health, maternal health, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, and global sexual and reproductive health.

    She teaches undergraduate and graduate-level courses in global health, leadership, ethics, community organizing, and research methodology.

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    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    1. Advancing equitable access to digital mental health in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A modified Delphi consensus study. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024; 4(6):e0002661. Murphy JK, Saker S, Ananyo Chakraborty P, Chan YMM, Michalak EE, Irrarazaval M, Withers M, Ng CH, Khan A, Greenshaw A, O'Neil J, Nguyen VC, Minas H, Ravindran A, Paric A, Chen J, Wang X, Hwang TY, Ibrahim N, Hatcher S, Evans V, Lam RW. PMID: 38857265; PMCID: PMC11164385.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    2. Navigating Hurdles: A Review of the Obstacles Facing the Development of the Pandemic Treaty. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024 Sep; 14(3):580-585. Sheerah HA, Alzaaqi SM, Arafa A, AlSalamah S, Muriungi NG, Sampaio BFC, Tromp J, Liu K, Shirai K, Withers M, Al-Jedai A. PMID: 38683485; PMCID: PMC11442950.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    3. Empowering the next generation: integrating adolescents into the Reproductive Justice movement. Med Humanit. 2024 Feb 22; 50(1):95-102. Brisson J, Withers M. PMID: 38388184.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Transforming masculine norms to improve men's contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec; 31(1):2170084. Newmann SJ, Zakaras JM, Rocca CH, Gorrindo P, Ndunyu L, Gitome S, Withers M, Bukusi EA, Dworkin SL. PMID: 36811906; PMCID: PMC9970212.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. "They should ask about our feelings": Mongolian women's experiences of postpartum depression. Transcult Psychiatry. 2023 12; 60(6):1005-1016. Withers M, Trop J, Bayalag M, Schriger SH, Ganbold S, Doripurev D, Davaasambuu E, Bat-Erdene U, Gendenjamts B. PMID: 37731351.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Factors associated with weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic: A global study. PLoS One. 2023; 18(4):e0284283. Huang J, Chan SC, Ko S, Wang HHX, Yuan J, Xu W, Zheng ZJ, Xue H, Zhang L, Jiang JY, Huang JLW, Chen P, Palaganas E, Viwattanakulvanid P, Somrongthong R, Caicedo A, Medina-Arellano MJ, Murphy J, Paredes MBA, Withers M, Wong MCS, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Global Health Program. PMID: 37079519; PMCID: PMC10118192.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    7. Psychosocial barriers to, and enablers of, intimate partner violence disclosure among Asian-American immigrant women. Cult Health Sex. 2023 12; 25(12):1659-1674. Tavrow P, Paulus K, Huynh D, Yoo C, Liang D, Pathomrit W, Withers M. PMID: 36794320.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Resilience level and its association with maladaptive coping behaviours in the COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey of the general populations. Global Health. 2023 01 03; 19(1):1. Wong MCS, Huang J, Wang HHX, Yuan J, Xu W, Zheng ZJ, Xue H, Zhang L, Jiang JY, Huang JLW, Chen P, Jia Z, Palaganas E, Viwattanakulvanid P, Somrongthong R, Caicedo A, Medina-Arellano MJ, Murphy J, Paredes MBA, Withers M, Association of Pacific Rim Universities. PMID: 36597129; PMCID: PMC9808687.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    9. An assessment of workplace wellness policies and programs of universities in the Asia-Pacific. Work. 2023; 75(3):837-847. Hsiao V, Stoltzfus N, Withers M. PMID: 36683518.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Engaging youth in global health and social justice: a decade of experience teaching a high school summer course. Glob Health Action. 2022 12 31; 15(1):1987045. Wipfli H, Withers M. PMID: 35107409; PMCID: PMC8812786.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    11. Factors of Overweight and Obesity Among Employees of Petrochemical Manufacturing Companies. J Community Health. 2023 06; 48(3):381-389. Woodman A, Jaoua N, Al Zahrani EM, Alfahad OA, Quiambao JV, Withers M. PMID: 36508062.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Attitudes about involvement in hypothetical clinical trial protocols in Mexican and Mexican-American at risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2022 11 15; 14(1):173. Zuno-Reyes A, Matute E, Ernstrom K, Withers M, Rodriguez-Agudelo Y, Raman R, Ringman JM. PMID: 36380395; PMCID: PMC9664662.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Factors Associated with Vaccination Intention against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Population-Based Study. Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Sep 16; 10(9). Huang J, Chan SC, Ko S, Wang HHX, Yuan J, Xu W, Zheng ZJ, Xue H, Zhang L, Jiang JY, Huang JLW, Chen P, Palaganas E, Viwattanakulvanid P, Somrongthong R, Caicedo A, Medina-Arellano MJ, Murphy JK, Paredes MBA, Withers M, Wong MCS, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Global Health Program. PMID: 36146617; PMCID: PMC9504242.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6  
    14. Breaking the Cycle of Family Violence: A Critique of Family Violence Interventions. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2023 10; 24(4):2544-2559. Livings MS, Hsiao V, Withers M. PMID: 35538418.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Perceptions of perinatal depression among low-income mothers and families in Mumbai, India. Asian J Psychiatr. 2022 May; 71:103048. Lodha P, Jahangir T, Karia S, DeSousa A, Appasani R, Withers M. PMID: 35272254.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Needs, gaps and opportunities for standard and e-mental health care among at-risk populations in the Asia Pacific in the context of COVID-19: a rapid scoping review. Int J Equity Health. 2021 07 12; 20(1):161. Murphy JK, Khan A, Sun Q, Minas H, Hatcher S, Ng CH, Withers M, Greenshaw A, Michalak EE, Chakraborty PA, Sandanasamy KS, Ibrahim N, Ravindran A, Chen J, Nguyen VC, Lam RW. PMID: 34253198; PMCID: PMC8274266.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    17. Mobility restrictions were associated with reductions in COVID-19 incidence early in the pandemic: evidence from a real-time evaluation in 34 countries. Sci Rep. 2021 07 02; 11(1):13717. Oh J, Lee HY, Khuong QL, Markuns JF, Bullen C, Barrios OEA, Hwang SS, Suh YS, McCool J, Kachur SP, Chan CC, Kwon S, Kondo N, Hoang VM, Moon JR, Rostila M, Norheim OF, You M, Withers M, Li M, Lee EJ, Benski C, Park S, Nam EW, Gottschalk K, Kavanagh MM, Tran TGH, Lee JK, Subramanian SV, McKee M, Gostin LO. PMID: 34215764; PMCID: PMC8253807.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    18. "I'm not going to be a guinea pig:" Medical mistrust as a barrier to male contraception for Black American men in Los Angeles, CA. Contraception. 2021 10; 104(4):361-366. Nguyen BT, Brown AL, Jones F, Jones L, Withers M, Ciesielski KM, Franks JM, Wang C. PMID: 34118271; PMCID: PMC8857976.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Challenges of Using Videos in Exam Rooms of Safety-Net Clinics to Encourage Patient Self-Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence and to Increase Provider Screening. Violence Against Women. 2021 12; 27(15-16):2990-3010. Tavrow P, Bloom B, Withers M. PMID: 33860700.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    20. Reducing stigma associated with mental health problems among university students in the Asia-Pacific: A video content analysis of student-driven proposals. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2022 06; 68(4):827-835. Withers M, Jahangir T, Kubasova K, Ran MS. PMID: 33827300.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Measuring Men's Gender Norm Beliefs Related to Contraception: Development of the Masculine Norms and Family Planning Acceptance Scale. Arch Sex Behav. 2021 08; 50(6):2691-2702. Newmann SJ, Zakaras JM, Dworkin SL, Withers M, Ndunyu L, Gitome S, Gorrindo P, Bukusi EA, Rocca CH. PMID: 33821378; PMCID: PMC8416878.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. "My backpack is so heavy": Experiences of Latino caregivers of family with early-onset Alzheimer's. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021 06; 69(6):1539-1547. Withers M, Cortez-Sanchez K, Herrera J, Ringman JM, Segal-Gidan F. PMID: 33713418; PMCID: PMC8193816.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Encouraging Asian Immigrant Women to Disclose Intimate Partner Violence in Primary Care Settings. J Interpers Violence. 2022 04; 37(7-8):NP5626-NP5648. Tavrow P, Azucar D, Huynh D, Yoo C, Liang D, Pathomrit W, Withers M. PMID: 32969305.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Tobacco use and E-cigarette regulation: Perspectives of University Students in the Asia-Pacific. Addict Behav. 2020 08; 107:106420. Wipfli H, Bhuiyan MR, Qin X, Gainullina Y, Palaganas E, Jimba M, Saito J, Ernstrom K, Raman R, Withers M. PMID: 32251875.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. The Manila Declaration on Migration and Health: commentary of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities Global Health Program. Global Health. 2020 01 22; 16(1):12. Withers M, Wipfli H, Schenker M, Jahangir T, Herbosa T, Tigno J. PMID: 31969188; PMCID: PMC6977347.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Social, economic, and political events affect gender equity in China, Nepal, and Nicaragua: a matched, interrupted time-series study. Glob Health Action. 2020; 13(1):1712147. Nguyen TT, Darnell A, Weissman A, Frongillo EA, Mathisen R, Lapping K, Mastro TD, Withers M. PMID: 31937206; PMCID: PMC7006713.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. A mixed-methods study of cultural beliefs about dementia and genetic testing among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans at-risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. J Genet Couns. 2019 10; 28(5):921-932. Withers M, Sayegh P, Rodriguez-Agudelo Y, Ernstrom K, Raman R, Montoya L, Zuno-Reyes A, Mosieri C, Matute E, Ringman JM. PMID: 31207006; PMCID: PMC7500864.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Establishing Competencies for a Global Health Workforce: Recommendations from the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. Ann Glob Health. 2019 03 26; 85(1). Withers M, Lin HH, Schmidt T, Delos Trinos JPCR, Kumar S. PMID: 30924619; PMCID: PMC6634469.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    29. The Manila Declaration on the Drug Problem in the Philippines. Ann Glob Health. 2019 03 05; 85(1). Simbulan N, Estacio L, Dioquino-Maligaso C, Herbosa T, Withers M. PMID: 30873786; PMCID: PMC6634291.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    30. Teledermatology: Meeting the Need for Specialized Care in Rural Haiti. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2019; 30(4):1394-1406. Cutler L, Ross K, Withers M, Chiu M, Cutler D. PMID: 31680104.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. Postpartum depression in Mongolia: A qualitative exploration of health care providers' perspectives. Midwifery. 2018 Oct; 65:18-25. Trop J, Gendenjamts B, Bat-Erdene U, Doripurev D, Ganbold S, Bayalag M, Withers M. PMID: 30029083.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    32. Best Practices in Global Health Practicums: Recommendations from the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. J Community Health. 2018 06; 43(3):467-476. Withers M, Li M, Manalo G, So S, Wipfli H, Khoo HE, Wu JT, Lin HH. PMID: 29129034.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    33. Traditional beliefs and practices in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum: A review of the evidence from Asian countries. Midwifery. 2018 Jan; 56:158-170. Withers M, Kharazmi N, Lim E. PMID: 29132060.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 61     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    34. Identification and Treatment Optimization of Comorbid Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2017 Dec; 4(2):281-291. Withers MH, Gonzalez LT, Karpouzas GA. PMID: 28815445; PMCID: PMC5696284.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6  
    35. WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND FAMILY PLANNING: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. J Biosoc Sci. 2017 Nov; 49(6):713-743. Prata N, Fraser A, Huchko MJ, Gipson JD, Withers M, Lewis S, Ciaraldi EJ, Upadhyay UD. PMID: 28069078; PMCID: PMC5503800.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 76     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Training the next generation of global health experts: experiences and recommendations from Pacific Rim universities. Global Health. 2016 06 23; 12(1):34. Withers M, Press D, Wipfli H, McCool J, Chan CC, Jimba M, Tremewan C, Samet J. PMID: 27334947; PMCID: PMC4918191.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    37. Intimate Partner Violence Screening Practices in California After Passage of the Affordable Care Act. Violence Against Women. 2017 06; 23(7):871-886. Tavrow P, Bloom BE, Withers MH. PMID: 27312117.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    38. The APRU Global Health Program: Past and Future. J Epidemiol. 2016; 26(4):166-70. Samet J, Withers M. PMID: 27052883; PMCID: PMC4808682.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    39. Gendered power dynamics and women's negotiation of family planning in a high HIV prevalence setting: a qualitative study of couples in western Kenya. Cult Health Sex. 2016; 18(4):453-69. Harrington EK, Dworkin S, Withers M, Onono M, Kwena Z, Newmann SJ. PMID: 26503879; PMCID: PMC5726384.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 44     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    40. 'Women now wear trousers': men's perceptions of family planning in the context of changing gender relations in western Kenya. Cult Health Sex. 2015; 17(9):1132-46. Withers M, Dworkin SL, Zakaras JM, Onono M, Oyier B, Cohen CR, Bukusi EA, Grossman D, Newmann SJ. PMID: 26032620.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    41. Men's Perspectives on Their Role in Family Planning in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Stud Fam Plann. 2015 Jun; 46(2):201-15. Withers M, Dworkin SL, Onono M, Oyier B, Cohen CR, Bukusi EA, Newmann SJ. PMID: 26059990.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    42. Perspectives of vulnerable U.S Hispanics with rheumatoid arthritis on depression: awareness, barriers to disclosure, and treatment options. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Apr; 67(4):484-92. Withers M, Moran R, Nicassio P, Weisman MH, Karpouzas GA. PMID: 25187020.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    43. Perceptions of misoprostol among providers and women seeking post-abortion care in Zimbabwe. Reprod Health Matters. 2015 Feb; 22(44 Suppl 1):16-25. Maternowska MC, Mashu A, Moyo P, Withers M, Chipato T. PMID: 25702065.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    44. Gender, masculinity and migration: Mexican men and reproductive health in the Californian context. Cult Health Sex. 2014; 16(8):989-1002. Maternowska MC, Withers M, Brindis C. PMID: 24939475.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    45. Women's empowerment and fertility: a review of the literature. Soc Sci Med. 2014 Aug; 115:111-20. Upadhyay UD, Gipson JD, Withers M, Lewis S, Ciaraldi EJ, Fraser A, Huchko MJ, Prata N. PMID: 24955875; PMCID: PMC4096045.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 122     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    46. Fertility intentions among HIV-infected, sero-concordant couples in Nyanza province, Kenya. Cult Health Sex. 2013; 15(10):1175-90. Withers M, Dworkin S, Harrington E, Kwena Z, Onono M, Bukusi E, Cohen CR, Grossman D, Newmann SJ. PMID: 23885924; PMCID: PMC3835420.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    47. Promoting volunteerism in global health: lessons from a medical mission in northern Mexico. J Community Health. 2013 Apr; 38(2):374-84. Withers M, Browner CH, Aghaloo T. PMID: 23139029.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    48. Rape myth attitudes in rural Kenya: toward the development of a culturally relevant attitude scale and "blame index". J Interpers Violence. 2013 Jul; 28(10):2156-78. Tavrow P, Withers M, Obbuyi A, Omollo V, Wu E. PMID: 23300194.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    49. Age matters: differential impact of service quality on contraceptive uptake among post-abortion clients in Kenya. Cult Health Sex. 2012; 14(8):849-62. Tavrow P, Withers M, McMullen K. PMID: 22812449.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    50. Who meets their intentions to stop childbearing? Results of a longitudinal study in rural eastern Bali, Indonesia. Health Care Women Int. 2012; 33(9):814-32. Withers M, Tavrow P, Abe D. PMID: 22891741.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    51. The changing contexts of fertility outcomes: case studies from a remote village in Bali, Indonesia. Cult Health Sex. 2012; 14(3):347-60. Withers M, Browner CH. PMID: 22192079.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    52. Do ambivalent women have an unmet need for family planning? A longitudinal study from Bali, Indonesia. Womens Health Issues. 2011 Nov-Dec; 21(6):444-9. Withers MH, Tavrow P, Adinata NA. PMID: 21723743.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    53. Desire for more children, contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning in a remote area of Bali, Indonesia. J Biosoc Sci. 2010 Jul; 42(4):549-62. Withers M, Kano M, Pinatih GN. PMID: 20202273.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    54. Predictors of workplace sexual health policy at sex work establishments in the Philippines. AIDS Care. 2007 Sep; 19(8):1020-5. Withers M, Dornig K, Morisky DE. PMID: 17851999; PMCID: PMC3096435.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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