Paul L. Reiter, PhD, MPH
Professor
Health Behavior and Health Promotion

Biography
Dr. Reiter's research addresses cancer prevention and control through two main thematic areas, cancer screening and vaccination. Both health behaviors are effective strategies for reducing disease burden, yet remain underutilized. He is particularly interested in examining the determinants of engaging in these behaviors and designing programs to increase their use.
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Cancer Control Education Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina
- Ph.D.
- Epidemiology, The Ohio State University
- M.P.H.
- Epidemiology, University of Minnesota
- B.S.
- Biology, Bowling Green State University
Research interests
Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Uterine Cervical Cancer, Anus Cancer, Papillomavirus Infections, Mouth Cancer, Condylomata Acuminata, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Select publications
- Katz, M. L., Zimmermann, B. J., Moore, D., Paskett, E. D., & Reiter, P. L. (2017). Perspectives from health-care providers and women about completing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing at home. Women & health, 57(10), 1161–1177. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2016.1243608
- Reiter, P. L., Shoben, A. B., McDonough, D., Ruffin, M. T., Steinau, M., Unger, E. R., Paskett, E. D., & Katz, M. L. (2019). Results of a Pilot Study of a Mail-Based Human Papillomavirus Self-Testing Program for Underscreened Women From Appalachian Ohio. Sexually transmitted diseases, 46(3), 185–190. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000944
- Reiter, P. L., Pennell, M. L., & Katz, M. L. (2020). Acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine among adults in the United States: How many people would get vaccinated?. Vaccine, 38(42), 6500–6507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.08.043
- McRee, A. L., Gower, A. L., Kiss, D. E., & Reiter, P. L. (2023). Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected general vaccination hesitancy? Findings from a national study. Journal of behavioral medicine, 46(1-2), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00298-2
- Reiter, P. L., Gower, A. L., Kiss, D. E., Shoben, A. B., Katz, M. L., Bauermeister, J. A., Paskett, E. D., & McRee, A. L. (2023). Efficacy of the Outsmart HPV Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HPV Vaccination among Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 32(6), 760–767. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0007
- Katz, M. L., Shoben, A. B., Newell, S., Hall, C., Emerson, B., Gray, D. M., 2nd, Chakraborty, S., & Reiter, P. L. (2024). Video brochures in a mailed fecal immunochemical test outreach program provide cancer screening information in a user-friendly format for rural Appalachian community members. The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association, 40(1), 96–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12772
- Marshall, D. J., Gower, A. L., Katz, M. L., Bauermeister, J. A., Shoben, A. B., & Reiter, P. L. (2025). Recruitment of Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men for a Web-Based Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Intervention: Differences in Participant Characteristics and Study Engagement by Recruitment Source in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of medical Internet research, 27, e64668. https://doi.org/10.2196/64668
- Reiter, P. L., Shoben, A. B., Cooper, S., Ashcraft, A. M., McKim Mitchell, E., Dignan, M., Cromo, M., Walunis, J., Flinner, D., Boatman, D., Hauser, L., Ruffin, M. T., 4th, Belinson, J. L., Anderson, R. T., Kennedy-Rea, S., Paskett, E. D., & Katz, M. L. (2025). A Mail-Based HPV Self-Collection Program to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening in Appalachia: Results of a Group Randomized Trial. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 34(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-0999
- Katz, M. L., Loomans-Kropp, H. A., & Reiter, P. L. (2025). Colorectal cancer screening blood test: awareness and willingness among a national sample of adults post-Federal and Drug Administration approval. BMC public health, 25(1), 1853. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23065-9
- Reiter, P. L., & Katz, M. L. (2025). Willingness of adults in the United States to have a multicancer detection test. Cancer causes & control : CCC, 10.1007/s10552-025-02014-2. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-025-02014-2