Carolyn C. Johnson

After obtaining a business degree from Soulé College, New Orleans, and extensive experience in the business arena, Dr. Johnson received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of New Orleans in 1982, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from San Diego State University in 1985, and a Ph.D. in Applied Biopsychology from the University of New Orleans in 1990. Dr. Johnson is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine and has been associated with the Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health since 1986. Dr. Johnson's primary area of research is behavioral medicine, specifically those lifestyle choices that can contribute to health or disease such as tobacco and alcohol use, diet, sedentary behavior, teen pregnancy and stress. Most of Dr. Johnson's research has been school-based in the elementary, middle and high school grades in a health education/health promotion capacity. Studies that she designed, implemented and evaluated in the Bogalusa Heart Study included assertive communication and learned helplessness, as well as Type A behavior, alcohol and tobacco use. Every year she is involved in and chairs grant review panels for the U. S. Army in their prostate and cancer programs. Regarding health promotion for the prevention of cancer, Dr Johnson has been involved in promoting the 5-a-day concept and smoking prevention among high school students. She has conducted a stress reduction program for New Orleans inner-city school teachers and developed, implemented and evaluated the Heart Smart Family Health Promotion Program for high risk children and their parents. The field of school-based health education and promotion is especially important because of the need for children and adolescents to learn healthy lifestyles at young ages in order to establish good habits over a lifetime.