Naa-Solo Tettey

Professor • Department of Public Health

Dr. Naa-Solo Tettey is an Associate Professor of Public Health at William Paterson University. Her research and scholarly interests focus on health disparities and chronic disease, criminal justice reform, and the impact of popular and social media on health behaviors. She holds a doctorate in health and behavior studies with a concentration in health education from Teachers College, Columbia University, a master of arts degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University, a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA in health care administration from the State University of New York. She is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), Certified in Public Health (CPH), and an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Wellness Coach.

Professional Interests

Health disparities and chronic disease
Criminal justice reform
Social media and health

Degrees

EdD Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY

MBA Healthcare Administration, State University of New York at Utica Utica, NY

MPH Public Health, Univeristy of Connecticut Farmington, CT

MA Psychology and Education, Columbia University New York, NY

BS Psychology, Northeastern University Boston, MA

Specialization

Health Education, Public Health, Health Disparities

Licenses and Certifications

A MCHES® is an advanced-level practitioner that has: Met required academic qualifications, worked in the field for a minimum of five years Successfully passed a competency-based examination administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential 04/01/2007
Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), NCHEC National

The Certified in Public Health is the mark of a public health professional. Demonstrate your knowledge of key public health sciences and join the ranks of public health leaders by sitting for and successfully passing the CPH exam. Distinguish yourself from your peers by showing employers that you can meet and maintain a national standard in public health through continuing education focused on emerging and established public health issues. 04/01/2012
Certified in Public Health (CPH), National Board of Public Health Examiners National

Representative Publications

Teaching Health Disparities, the Social Determinants of Health, and the Social Ecological Model through HBO’s The Wire; Health Education; 2018
http://jhetonline.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Teaching_Health_Disparities_the_Social_Determinants_of_Health_and_the_Social_Ecological_Model_through_HBO%E2%80%99s_The_WireNaa-Solo_Tettey.157104841.pdf

Evaluation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-based Cardiovascular Health Education Program; , Journal of Religion and Health; Volume 56, 2016
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-016-0309-5

Exploring website preferences for African American women: An evaluation of an internet-based source of health information on eating healthy and being active. ; Global journal of health science; Volume 11, 2019

The Influence of Family History of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Positive Health Behavior Changes Among African Americans ; , International Journal of Chronic Disease; Volume 2020, 2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32090059/

Are Minority Serving Institutions Contributing to Unhealthy Eating and Health Disparities Among College Students: A Pilot Study; , International Education Studies; Volume 13, 2020
http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ies/article/view/0/42057

Media

University’s Public Health Club Organizes a Holiday Drive to Help the Formerly Incarcerated
https://www.wpunj.edu/articles/news/2019-12-19/Public-health-club-holiday-drive/
Students in William Paterson University’s Public Health Club presented a collection of clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable food donated by the campus community to the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, a nonprofit group that helps formerly incarcerated individuals and their families.

Wrongly convicted people will address criminal justice reform at William Paterson forum
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/wayne/2019/04/03/wrongly-convicted-people-talk-justice-reform-william-paterson/3341425002/
The event, called "Moving Beyond the Bars," is being held to mark National Public Health Week. "Mass incarceration is one of the greatest public health challenges facing the United States," said Naa-Solo Tettey, a William Paterson professor of public health, who will moderate the discussion. "Involving students in the criminal justice reform movement is vital for creating positive change," she added.

How a program uses prayer to fight cardiovascular disease
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/02/22/prayer-program-heartsmarts-tries-to-fight-cardiovascular-disease
Cardiovascular disease disproportionately impacts African-Americans, but one program is fighting the epidemic with prayer.

Notable Courses Taught

• PBHL 1100: Healthy U
• PBHL 2950: Disparities in Health
• PBHL 3010: Health Behavior Theory and Health Education
• PBHL 3042: Research Methods 1
• PBHL 3040: Research Methods 2
• PBHL 4500: Health Care Administration

Undergraduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions

International Students

Administration

Faculty and Staff