Heather Tarleton
Professor of Health and Human Sciences (on sabbatical Spring 2024) | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Biography
Contact:
Phone: (310) 338-4247
Email: Heather.Tarleton@lmu.edu
Office: Featherston Life Sciences Building 183
Heather Tarleton is an Associate Professor of Health & Human Sciences at Loyola Marymount University.
Dr. Tarleton teaches courses in Nutrition, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Obesity & Behavior, Public Health, Health & Wellbeing in Homeless Communities, Health Services for Marginalized Populations, Healthcare Administration, Cancer Survivorship, and Medical Bioethics.
Her primary research projects examine the effects of exercise-based interventions as well as psychosocial interventions on reducing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor quality of life among cancer survivors. The interventions aim to improve cancer survivors’ overall capacity to engage in life by addressing fatigue, balance, musculoskeletal health and strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, neuropathy and psychosocial barriers.
Dr. Tarleton is also working with students to examine the issues concerning the ecology (sociocultural and political landscape) of homelessness and the marginalization of communities. Since wellbeing is a complex phenomenon for those living the homeless experience, Dr. Tarleton encourages students to become sensitive to diversity of needs, issues with access and availability of city and state services, and interpersonal communication in order to promote humanity and dignity. Individuals experiencing homelessness are socially and financially vulnerable and often struggling with barriers to stability (lack of educational attainment or job training, alcohol/substance abuse, and depression due to estrangement from support networks). Given the complexity of potential barriers, Dr. Tarleton believes that sustainable solutions will require attention to the details that govern the “efficacy” versus “effectiveness” of policy implementation.
Dr. Tarleton is a faculty mentor for the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at LMU and a member of the National Institutes of Health Network of Minority Health Research Investigators (NIH NMRI).
