Bio
My primary research expertise centers on the assessment and intervention of health disparities within community settings. With expertise in scale development and community assessment, I developed the Coronavirus Awareness and Preparedness Scale (CAPS) to assess community readiness for the emerging COVID-19 threat during the pandemic.
My current research endeavors focus on promoting healthy aging and enhancing the physical and mental well-being of community elders. I am actively involved in pioneering a digitalized square-stepping exercise program tailored to the needs of older adults. This program holds promising potential to positively impact the community by addressing physical, cognitive, and mental aging challenges. Through this research, I aim to contribute to our understanding of aging-related health equity issues and develop effective interventions to foster a healthier and more equitable community for elders.
Research Interests
Community Assessment and Intervention Design among Underserved Older Adults
Recent Publications
- Meng Zhao, Yuxia Huang, Kyoung Lee (2024). (Development and psychometric testing of the Coronavirus Awareness and Preparedness Scale: A cross-sectional study). (2) 7, pp. e1857. Health Science Reports.
- Yuxia Huang, Jim Lee, Lei Jin, Md Rahman, Ana Guerrero, Meng Zhao, Kyoung Lee (2024). (Sociodemographic and geographic disparities in COVID-19 booster vaccination in Nueces County, Texas, USA). (2024) 10, pp. e27763. Heliyon.
- Kyoung Lee, Mikaela Boham, Meng Zhao, Ro Young, Xiaomei Cong, Yuxia Huang (2024). (The impact of digitalized community-based square-stepping exercise program on cognitive and balance functions among older adults living in senior facilities: a pilot study. ). (1) 3, pp. 9-16. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research.
- Laura Monahan, Meng Zhao, Michael Monahan, Katelijne Acker, Mary Sandrik (2022). (Medical residents shadowing a Wound/Ostomy/Continence Nurse to develop interprofessional competencies: A quality- -improvement project.). (1) 49, pp. 29-33. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing.
- Meng Zhao, Kyoung Lee, Yuxia Huang (2021). (A critical appraisal: Development and use of perceived stress scale in U.S. immigrants). (1) 30, pp. 1-13. Journal of Nursing Measurement.
- Meng Zhao, Laura Monahan, Michael Monahan, Yuxia Huang, Sue Mathur (2021). (The early response to the coronavirus surveys in southern Texas). (10) 13, pp. 75-81. Global Journal of Health Science.
- Meng Zhao (2020). (Develop a screening scale for mammography use in a cultural context: A systematic approach). SAGE.
- Tammy McGarity, Charles Reed, Laura Monahan, Meng Zhao (2020). (Innovative nurse leader professional development program). (5) 36, pp. 227-282. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.
- Connie Barker, Eva Bell, Meng Zhao (2018). (Caring and resilience: Nurse educator leaders respond to hurricane Harvey). (3) 16, pp. 177-180. Nurse Leader.
- Meng Zhao, Patricia Conard (2016). (Content validity of cultural health and screening mammography belief scale among Asian American women). (3) 24, pp. 356-364. Journal of Nursing Measurement.
- Meng Zhao, Patricia Conard (2015). (Understanding health beliefs and practices in the cultural context: Chinese-born immigrant women in the United States). (1) 5, pp. 31-38. International Journal of Nursing Didactics.
- Meng Zhao, Yingchun Ji (2014). (Challenges of introducing participant observation to community health research). ISRN Nursing.
- Meng Zhao, Noreen Esposito, Kefang Wang (2010). (Cultural beliefs and attitudes towards health and health care among Asian-born women in the United States). (4) 39, pp. 370-385. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing.
