Research
Over the years, I’ve had a variety of opportunities to develop and conduct original health services research projects to identify disparities and inform health policy and health systems.
I examine issues from both the healthcare provider side and consumer side with a focus on digital health literacy, digital health equity, and digital health accessibility.
Background: My Research Interests
As a member of what’s often referred to as the Xennial microgeneration – wedged between Gen X and Millennials – I remember using a library card catalog to research school projects and limiting “long distance” calls to family because we were charged by the minute. Yet, I was also what some may call an “early adopter” of social media.
In 2004, when I was in college, Facebook was launched and the Notre Dame student community was among the first allowed to join. (For the “profile picture,” I called my dad on my dorm phone and asked him to scan my high school portrait at his office and send it to my school email; phones could not take pictures yet and I only had a disposable camera). Perhaps, this is why I’ve always had a keen awareness and curiosity in the evolution of digital technology and how it’s embraced by Americans.
Years later, when I was in graduate school at Boston University, there was a FDA public hearing on social media – now seen as the first step toward developing regulatory guidelines for social networking sites.
Could novel forms of digital health communications like social media, video, and websites help improve health outcomes? How could they be incorporated into health services? What policies would evolve and change? I had so many questions. I was driven, and eager, and knew this was a pivotal time to be in the field of health communications and make an impact.
Published Research
Krupa A, M McVane and K.B. Barrett. “Access, Understanding, and Use of Electronic Health Information in America.” (Consumer pulse survey). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Foundation, 2023.
Krupa, A., J.B. Roark, and K.B. Barrett. “The Critical Role of Web Accessibility in Health Information Access, Understanding, and Use.” (Issue brief). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Foundation, 2022.
Krupa, A. “The Best Thermometers to Check for Fever: Accuracy, Precision, and Readability of Thermometer Instructions.” New York, NY: Insider Reviews, 2020.
Kurkowski K, Krupa A. “Survey Results of The Effectiveness of a Curriculum for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students and Pediatric and Family Medicine Residents Entitled: The Importance of Early Detection and Intervention of Motor Delays.” Poster presented at: Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association Annual Conference; 2011 May 20-22; Rye Brook, NY. [Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference; 2011 June 3-4; Lisle, IL]; [American Academy of Pediatrics Future of Pediatrics Conference; 2011 July 29-31; Chicago, IL]; [American Physical Therapy Association Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference; 2011 Aug 30-Sept 1; Anaheim, CA]; [Zero to Three National Training Institute; 2011 Dec 9-11, Washington, DC]; [National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; 2012 Mar 24-26, San Antonio, TX].
Krupa, A. “Trends in Illinois Pediatric and Family Medicine Residents’ Knowledge of Early Motor Delay Detection, Intervention and Referral Procedures.” (Issue brief). Chicago, IL: Pathways Awareness Foundation, 2011.
Research Proposals
E Sylvester, M McVane and A Krupa. Proposal to the National Institute of Health for “Maternal Health Literacy for Nutrition Care Equity.” Chicago, IL: AHIMA Foundation, 2023.
Krupa, A. Proposal to the National Institute of Health for “A Spanish Translated and Culturally Appropriate Version of HealthyChildren.org: A New and Engaging Approach to Improve Health Literacy.” Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012.