Department of Public and Community Health

Injury prevention, traffic safety, relationship of beliefs to behavior in drinking and driving, the influence of parental behaviors on adolescent risk taking.

Dr. Beck's research interests include the determinants of threat perception, and risk taking, including alcohol misuse and impaired driving. His research has dealt with adolescents and parents, as well as multiple DWI offenders. Dr. Beck was involved with two major investigations. The first was an investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlocks at preventing impaired driving. The second was a collaborative research project with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to investigate the relationship between parental monitoring practices and teenage alcohol problem involvement. Currently, he is investigating the relationship between selected forms of parental influence and adolescent traffic safety risk. His current research is being funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation. He has presented his research at a numerous national and international conferences dealing with alcohol and traffic safety.

Courses Taught

HLTH 106 Drug Use and Abuse
HLTH 371 Communicating Safety & Health
HLTH 710 Methods & Techniques of Research
HLTH 775 Health Education Program Planning & Evaluation

Dissertations Chaired (recent)

Yan, A F. (2009). Environmental influences on physical activity and obesity in African American adolescents – a multilevel perspective.
Mitchell, M. M. (2006). Parents coping with their children's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Doctoral Dissertation.
Kerr, M. (2002). The effects of family involvement on the problem and prosocial behavior outcomes of Latino youth. Doctoral Dissertation.

Theses/MPH Projects Chaired (last 5 years)

Biblow, A. (2009). Content analysis of child sexual abuse websites. Masters of Public Health Project.
Milcetich, L. (2008). Violence as a public health issue: The importance and need for the development of a course of for the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Masters of Public Health Project.
Abbey, R. (2008). Assessing public health preparedness in Montgomery County, Maryland. Masters of Public Health Project.
Lawlor, C. (2008). Relationship of yoga experience to body satisfaction and eating attitudes. Masters of Public Health Masters Thesis Project.
Baker, K. (2007). An assessment of crisis pregnancy center websites: helping or hurting women. Masters of Public Health Project.
Goldstein, E. (2007). Determining barriers and possible solutions to an online employee wellness program. Masters of Public Health Project.
Bistrack, J. (2006). Development of a surveillance tool to inventory baseline data of programs offered through recreation and parks departments of Maryland that have the potential to decrease the burden of overweight and obesity. Masters of Public Health Project.
Cichon, B. (2006). An analysis of social risk factors and substance abuse prevention program content in Latino youth. Masters of Public Health Project.
Anderson, R. (2006). The need for indoor air quality enrichment activities for elementary school students in poor rural schools in the United States. Masters of Public Health Project.
Poser, M. (2005). Evaluation of a lifestyle management program for adults. Masters of Public Health Project.
Quartey, P. (2005). Development of an exhibit display to promote the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) cancer prevention and control programs. Masters of Public Health Project.
MaAghon, K. (2005). "Don't Fall For It: Reducing Your Risk of Falls". Masters of Public Health project.
McGlinchy, L. (2003). The associations between school connectedness and socio-demographic, risk and protective factors of Latino youth. Masters of Public Health project.