Paul Colson, PhD

  • Instructor of Epidemiology
Profile Headshot

Overview

Dr. Colson has an overarching interest in the delivery of health and mental health services for disadvantaged populations, including behavioral and systemic issues which impact service use. He recently received NIH funding to conduct a study of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among Black men having sex with men. He has served as a co-investigator in several RCTs of peer interventions to increase adherence among patients with HIV and with Latent Tuberculosis Infection. With funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, Dr. Colson offered a 5-year training and technical assistance program for HIV peer educators and their supervisors. Earlier in his career, he studied TB, HIV, and service delivery issues experienced by homeless persons with mental illness. Dr. Colson has taught at Columbia University, Hunter College, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and New York University.

Academic Appointments

  • Instructor of Epidemiology

Administrative Titles

  • Associate Research Scientist, ICAP

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • BA, 1975 University of Illinois at Urbana
  • MSW, 1982 School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
  • PhD, 1990 School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago

Research

Selected Publications

Colson PW, Couzens GL, Royce RA, Kline T, Chavez-Lindell T, Welbel S, Pang J, Davidow A, and Hirsch-Moverman Y for the Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium (TBESC). Examining the Impact of Patient Characteristics and Symptomatology on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs among Foreign-born Tuberculosis Cases in the US and Canada. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 16(1):125-135, 2014.

Colson PW, Hirsch-Moverman Y, Bethel J, Vempaty P, Salcedo K, Wall K, Miranda W, Collins S, Horsburgh CR for the Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium (TBESC). Acceptance of Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Prospective Cohort Study in the U.S. and Canada. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. 17(4):473-79, 2013.

Hirsch-Moverman Y, Colson PW, Bethel J, Franks J, and El-Sadr WM. Can a Peer-Based Intervention Impact Adherence to Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection? International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 17:1178-1185, 2013.

Passannante MR, Franks J, Khalil G, Colson PW, Ahamed N, Napolitano E. Incorporating Tuberculosis Content into Public Health Core Curricula: The TB Curriculum Development Project. Public Health Reports 126:881-889, 2011.

Tobias CR, Rajabiun S, Franks J, Goldenkranz SB, Fine DN, Loscher-Hudson BS, Colson PW, Coleman SM. Peer Knowledge and Roles in Supporting Access to Care and Treatment. Journal of Community Health 35:609-617, 2010.

Colson PW, Franks J, Sondengam R, Hirsch-Moverman Y, El-Sadr W. Tuberculosis Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs in Foreign-born and US-born Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Infection. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health 12(6):859-866, 2010.

Colson PW, Francis LE. Consumer Staff and the Role of Personal Experience in Mental Health Services. Social Work in Mental Health 7(4):385-401, 2009.

Jones K, Colson PW, Holter MC, Valencia E, Lin S, Wyatt RJ, Susser E. Cost Effectiveness of the Critical Time Intervention to Reduce Homelessness among Persons with Mental Illness. Psych Serv 54(6):884-890. 2003.

Francis L, Colson PW, Mizzi P. Beneficence vs. Obligation: Challenges of the Americans with Disabilities Act for Consumer Employment in Mental Health Services. Community Mental Health Journal 38(2):95-110. 2002.

Colson P, Susser E, Valencia E. HIV and TB among People Who Are Homeless and Mentally Ill. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal 17:157-160. 1994.