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College of Life Sciences
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Len Novilla

Associate Professor
Public Health
Website: http://www.byu.edu/health/faculty/novillaLen.html
Email: len_novilla@byu.edu

2064 LSB
Provo, UT 84602

801-422-9356

Biography

Beneath her smiles and quiet ways was a life of struggle. Len, the fifth in a brood of seven, grew up in a rough and impoverished setting in Tondo, Manila, Philippines where education was a luxury not a right. Such condition was made even more difficult by the passing of her father when she was only six years of age. Even at that time, her mother had instilled in her and in her siblings the power of education ----the power to inspire and enlighten minds and to change lives. Having experienced such transformation in her life, Len values teaching ---believing that one’s teaching is only as powerful as the life that lives it. On this she gives thanks to the mentors she has in life whose examples of kindness, faith, humility, service, and perseverance are lessons for her to master.

Len joined BYU in 2003 as an Associate Professor at the Department of Health Science. She teaches Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She has also taught the Maternal and Child Health Issues and Grant Writing in the MPH Program and directed the Philippines International Internship Program for the BYU Kennedy Center. Her research interests include the role of the family in health with particular emphasis on engaging the family as the sustaining framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies; defining the role of the family in addressing health inequities; and defining the link between the family and health systems, focusing on system assessment and strengthening within the context of the social determinants of health. Together with a group of faculty and student researchers, their study entitled, “How Can We Get the Social Determinants of Health Message on the Public Policy and Public Health Agenda? Translating Data into a Social Determinants of Health Information Tool to Inform Policy and Public Health Programs” was selected by the World Health Organization as one of the 28 case studies from around the globe intended to highlight country experiences on implementing action on the social determinants of health. These case studies are featured in the World Health Organization’s website which is accessible globally as part of the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, held last October 19-21 2011, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Len is an elected member of the Alpha Theta Chapter of the Delta Omega National Honorary Society in Public Health. She currently serves in various boards and committees such as the Board of Trustees at Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Executive Committee of the Thrasher Research Fund, Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Health Disparities Advisory Council, and the Utah Public Health Association (UPHA) Policy Committee. She is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA)-International Health Section and the Society of Public Health Educators (SOPHE). Prior to joining BYU, Len was a Senior Research Manager for the Thrasher Research Fund, managing several international and U.S.-based pediatric research grants. As a mom, Len enjoys reading to her two children. Together with her husband Nathan, they love spending time with their children, nephews, and nieces by reading books out loud, going on family trips, gardening, and making crafts.

Education

  • MPH, University of Utah, 1999
  • M.D., University of the City of Manila, 1990
  • B.S. Public Health, University of the Philippines, Institute of Public Health, 1986

Teaching Interests

  • Integration of Public Health & Primary Care
  • Social Context of Health & Disease
  • Chronic Diseases (Non-communicable Diseases)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Maternal & Child Health
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Health in All Policies
  • Gerontology: Health & Aging
  • Grant Writing

Research Interests

Health Policy & the Social Determinants of Health, Maternal, Child, & Family Health

  • Understanding the impact of policy on individual and community health
  • Utilizing the family as the sustaining framework for health promotion and disease prevention strategies
  • Defining the role of the family in addressing the health inequities resulting from the social determinants of population health
  • Defining the link between family health and health systems assessment and strengthening within the context of the social determinants of health
  • Addressing disparities in the delivery and access to health care services
  • Understanding the determinants, distribution, patterns, and burden of chronic diseases, particularly heart disease, diabetes and obesity in at-risk and underserved communities
  • Using family health history and familial risk stratification as a preventive tool in chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke
  • Understanding adolescent health risk behaviors and their implications on health programs, services, and policies
  • Understanding the health implications of early and late age at first birth

Memberships

  • American Diabetes Association, 2016-Present

Honors & Awards

  • Timpanogos Regional Hospital : Distinguished Service to the Board of Trustees
  • Brigham Young University : C. Joseph Rowberyy Teaching & Learning Faculty Fellowship

Courses Taught

Winter 2019

  • HLTH 314: Hlth, Disease & Determinants 1 Section 002
  • HLTH 423: Public Health & Primary Care Section 001
  • HLTH 466: Hlth & the Aging Process Section 001

Fall 2018

  • HLTH 403R: Special Topics Section 004
  • HLTH 423: Public Health & Primary Care Section 001
  • HLTH 491R: Mentored Research Section 005
  • HLTH 619: Inf & Chro Disease Section 001

Spring 2018

  • HLTH 310: Chrnc Disease:Prevntn & Cntrl Section 001

Winter 2018

  • HLTH 310: Chrnc Disease:Prevntn & Cntrl Section 001, 002
  • HLTH 466: Hlth & the Aging Process Section 002

Publications

Journal Articles

Russell E, Johnson B, Buehner H, Novilla ML, Van Olmen J, Swanson C. 2013. Health systems in context: A systematic review of the integration of the social determinants of health within health systems frameworks. Pan American Journal of Public Health- Rev Panam Salud Publica. 34(6):461-467.

Merrill RM, Sloan A, Novilla ML. 2012. Understanding Population-based Site-Specific Cancer Incidence Rates in the United States. Journal of Cancer Education. 27(2):263-8.

Presentations

Novilla MB, Goates MC, Calder S, Galvao LA, Ellis T, Eppich K, Quintana NM, Ortiz D, Doria R. Are Our Policymakers on Board? A Systematic Review of U.S. Policymakers’ Views on the Social Determinants of Health, Health Disparities, Health Equity, & Health in All Policies. 2017 American Public Health Association (APHA). Atlanta, Georgia. 2017.

Novilla MB, Wong W, Aitken T, Woo E, Walton D, Miller J, Larsen M. Hepatitis B Among Asian & Pacific Islanders in Utah & Team HBV Activities. 2017 Annual Team HBV Conference. Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. 2017.

Novilla MB. Making Adversity Your Ally & the Social Determinants of Health. 2017 15th Annual Youth Leadership Conference on Hepatitis B. Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. 2017.

Novilla MB, Goates MC, Calder S, Galvao LA, Quintana NM, Ortiz D, Eppich K, Ellis T, Doria RB. Are Our Policymakers on Board? What Policymakers Think of the Social Determinants of Health, Health Inequities, and Health in All Policies. 2017 Utah Public Health Association (UPHA). Park City, Utah. 2017.

Novilla MB. Utah PH Conference Panel: Impact on Public Health of the New Trump Administration. 2017 Utah Public Health Association (UPHA)-Building a Culture of Health in Utah. Park City Marriott, Utah. 2017.

Novilla ML, Goates MC, Calder S, Ellis T, Eppich K, Galvao LA, Quintana NM, Mateos D. Are our policy makers on board? What policy makers think of the social determinants, health disparities, and health in all policies. Utah Public Health Association Annual Conference. Park City, UT. 2017.

Novilla LB, Attard-Sacco D. Health in All Policies: Speaking the Same Language of Health Across Sectors. 2016 Annual American Public Health Association, APHA, Meeting and Exposition, Theme: "Creating the Healthiest Nation: Ensuring the Right to Health,” November 1, 2016, Denver, Colorado. Denver, Colorado. 2016.

Attard-Sacco D, Novilla LB. Health in All Planning Policies and Projects 101 – Concepts and Tools. American Planning Association (APA)-Iowa Chapter Conference, Theme: Bridges to the Future: Building Partnerships to Strengthen Communities, Oct. 20, 2016. Burlington, Iowa. 2016.

Novilla MB. The Social Determinants of Medicare & Medicaid. IHC/SelectHealth Practice Manager Advisory Council (PMAC), Murray, Utah,. SelectHealth, Murray, UT. 2016.

Novilla MB. The Social Determinants of Medicare & Medicaid. Intermountain Health Care/SelectHealth Medical Forum Group. LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT. 2016.

Novilla MB. The Social Determinants of Health in the Utah Setting, Utah Health Plan Partnership. Utah Health Plan Partnership. Murray, UT. 2016.

Novilla MB. Rising Above the Social Determinants of Utah’s Community Health: The Community is the Patient. Intermountain Health Care (IHC)/SelectHealth Leadership Team Exchange. Garden Place, This is the Place Heritage Park, August 12, 2016. 2016.

Novilla LB, Attard-Sacco D, Peterson J. Health in All Iowa Planning Polices: Enhancing Interdisciplinary Communication. 2016 Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, Theme: Navigating a Changing Landscape: Partnerships for Population Health, Des Moines, IA. Des Moines, Iowa. 2016.

Johnston JD, Davis SF, Magnusson BM, Novilla ML, Torgersen BK, Abigail G. Radon knowledge, attitudes, and testing among Utah County residents. EPA Region 8 Radon Stakeholders Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. 2016.

Novilla MB, Clader S. The Social Determinants of Diabetes. 2015 Utah Diabetes Webinar Series. Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2015.

Novilla MB. Deconstructing Health in All Policies: Health as the Common Goal --- for Public Health & Environmental Health. Webinar for Iowa public health & environmental practitioners & professionals on Ensuring Health in All Iowa Planning Policies; sponsored by the Iowa Cancer Consortium. Des Moines, Iowa. 2015.

Novilla MB. Social Determinants of Utah’s Community Health: Are We “at the Corner of Happy and Healthy?”. 2015 Association of Utah Community Health (AUCH) Conference. Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley, Utah, May 15, 2015. 2015.

Novilla MB. Deconstructing Health in All Policies: Health as the Common Goal ---for Planners. Webinar for urban/community planners and designers in Iowa on Ensuring Health in All Iowa Planning Policies. Webinar for Iowa Urban/cCmmunity Planners & Designers on Ensuring Health in All Iowa Planning Policies; sponsored by the Iowa Cancer Consortium, Ankeny Iowa. Ankeny, Iowa. 2015.

Novilla ML, Johnson J, Sevy M, Kim S, Hiatt S. Key Family Health Practices and the Social Determinants of Health. 142nd Annual Meeting & Exposition American Public Health Association. New Orleans, Louisiana. 2014.

Novilla ML. Health in All Policies = ALL in HEALTH Policies: Acting Together in Building Iowa's Future. 2014 Iowa Cancer Summit. FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa. 2014.

Novilla ML. Keynote Address: Health in All Policies: A Coordinated & Collaborative Approach to Improving Health. 2014 Iowa Cancer Summit. FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa. 2014.

Novilla ML. “Level Flight”- Remembering and Holding on to Our Divine Worth. Long Beach Stake Mid Singles Fireside. 3701 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90807. 2014.

Novilla ML. Keynote Address:Building Healthy Communities-Utah's "Blue Zones". Building Healthy Communities: Salt Lake County’s Future. West Jordan Library, 8030 South 1825 West West Jordan, Utah 84088. 2014.

Novilla ML. Back to the Basics of Prevention: Focusing on the Social Determinants of Health. BYU Pre-Med Club. Provo, Utah. 2014.

Novilla ML, Johnson J, Berrett B, Davis B, Sypher J, Shumway J. Framing the Message of Equity: What Resonates with Policy Makers and Public Health Professionals on the Social Determinants of Health?. 141st APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition: Think Local, Act Global: Best Practices Around the World. Boston, Massachusetts. 2013.

Novilla ML, Barnett A, Sloan A, Johnson J, Shumway J, Cariello M. Integrating the Social Determinants of Health Framework in the Medical School Curricula. 141st APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition: Think Local, Act Global: Best Practices Around the World. Boston, Massachusetts. 2013.

Novilla ML, Shirts J, Davis B, Hunter B, Sypher J, Au JL, Shumway J. Using Data Visualization in Creating an SDH Community Profile for the Use of Policy Makers and the Public. 141st APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition: Think Local, Act Global: Best Practices Around the World. Boston, Massachusetts. 2013.

Novilla ML. Health Disparities:When the Patient is the Community. 2013 University of Utah College of Nursing Seminar Series. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2013.

Novilla ML. Framing the Message of Equity: What Resonates with Policy Makers and Public Health Professionals on the Social Determinants of Health?. 2013 Utah Public Health Association Convention. Ogden Eccles Conference Center. 2013.

Novilla ML, Barnett A, Sloan A, Shumway J, Johnson J. Medical Students’ Perceived Value of Integrating the Social Determinants of Health in the Medical School Curricula. 2013 Utah Public Health Association Convention. Ogden Eccles Conference Center. 2013.

Novilla ML, Davis B, Hunter B, Sypher J, Au JL, Shirts J, Adams M. Using Data Visualization to Create Community Profiles of Social Factors that Shape Population Health. 2013 Utah Public Health Association Convention. Ogden Eccles Conference Center. 2013.

Novilla ML. Zip Codes & Health. Special Projects/Livability Agenda: Aging in Place Initiative. Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. 2013.

Novilla ML, Davis B, Johnson J, Shumway J, Barnett A, Cariello M, Sloan A, Shirts J, Okada B, Adams M. The Social Determinants of Health Disparities. Measuring Health Equity. Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. 2013.

Novilla ML. Health & Zip Codes. TRH Medical Executive Committee. Riverside Country Club, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. 2012.

Novilla ML, Perry K. The Social Determinants of Human Trafficking. 2012 Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking. Omaha, Nebraska. 2012.

Novilla ML, Davis B. The Social Determinants of Access to Health & Health Care. Board of Trustees - Timpanogos Regional Hospital. Timpanogos Regional Hospital. 2012.

Novilla ML, Davis B. The Social Determinants of Access to Health & Health Care. 2012 Utah Governor's Health Summit. Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2012.

Novilla ML. Health & Zip Codes. Multicultural Commission of Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. 2012.

Novilla ML. "Spending Time With Your Children is the Greatest Gift of All'. 2012 BYU Women's Conference. Provo, Utah. 2012.

Novilla ML. Spending Time With Our Children is the Greatest Gift of All. 2012 BYU Women's Conference. Provo, Utah, U.S.A. 2012.

Novilla ML, Berrett B. What Utah Legislators Think: Wicked Problems & the Social Determinants of Health. HEAU - Health Educators' Association of Utah. West Jordan, Utah, U.S.A. 2012.

Novilla ML, Davis B. Health in All Policies & The Semantics of Equity. 2012 UPHA Policy & Advocacy Conference. Utah State Capitol Building. 2012.

Novilla ML. Framing the Message of Equity. Health in All Policies. State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2012.

Novilla ML. Social Determinants of Health101: Bringing It Down to Earth. Health Equity Summit - Bringing the Pieces Together for our Communities Maximizing Health Equity Opportunities in Health Reform & Utah Medicaid Transformation. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2011.

Novilla ML. How can we get the social determinants of health message on the public policy and public health agenda? Translating data into an SDH Information Tool to inform policy and public health programs: Using existing databases to create community profiles of social factors that shape Utah’s. 2011 World Conference on the Social Determinants of Health. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2011.

Novilla ML, Davis B, Sypher J, Berrett J. Using the SDH Profile Gapminder and the State’s Indicator-based Information System for Public Health Data Resource (IBIS-Utah) to Track the Social Determinants of Health that Impact the Health of Utahans. Professional Presentation to the State of Utah Health Promotion Directors Development Training. Utah County Health Department. 2011.

Novilla ML, Davis B, Sypher J, Gustafson N. Using IBIS to Identify and Link the Health of Mothers, Infants, and Children with the Social Determinants of Health in Utah. Professional Presentation to the Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Clinics. Utah County Administration Building. 2011.

Novilla ML. Journey of the Soul, Anchors of the Heart: Coming Unto Christ. BYU University Devotional. Provo, Utah. 2011.

Novilla ML, Hanson CL, Barnes MD, Heiner SW, Eggett DL, Lindsay R, Doria RS, Clark D, Penaflor C. Health Beliefs & Attitudes on Screening and Intent to Share Family Health History Based on Level of Familial Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke Among Physically Active Seniors. 138th APHA Annual Meeting & Convention. Denver, CO. 2010.

Novilla ML, Hanson CL, Barnes MD, Heiner S, Eggett D, Doria R, Clark D, Penaflor C. Health beliefs & attitudes on screening and intent to share family health history based on level of familial risk for heart disease and stroke among physically active seniors. American Public Health Association. Denver. 2010.