Dr. Frank specializes in public health communication, mass media research, and risk communication. She is particularly interested in how people's social and media environments may influence their health decisions. Her recent research projects include editing a book on entertainment education and an examination of the messages used to promote sexual health among youth in the United States. Dr. Frank collaborates with BBC Media Action and other international development groups to examine the influence of media campaigns on behaviors.
Areas of Interest
Public health communication
Media effects
Strategic and risk communication
Classes Taught
Comm 316: Communication, Individuals, and Discourse
Comm 329U: Introduction to Health Communication
Comm 412/512: Media Effects
Comm 429/529: Health Communication Campaigns
Comm 445/545: Risk and Strategic Communication
Comm 511: Introduction to Communication Theory
Highlighted Works
Frank, L. B. & Falzone, P. (Eds.). (2021). Entertainment-education behind the scenes: Case studies for theory and practice. London, England: Palgrave Macmillan.
Suldovsky, B., & Frank, L. B. (2022). Strengthening public engagement on environmental hazards: Insights from cross-disciplinary air pollution research. Environmental Hazards, 21(3), 218-234. doi:10.1080/17477891.2021.1938506
Frank, L. B., Sparks, P., Murphy, S., Goodfriend, L., & Falzone, P. (2021). The game of life: How playing gamified interactive narratives affects career planning in Cambodia. International Journal of Communication, 15, 1372-1392.
Frank, L. B., Jodrell, D., & Smethurst, L. (2017). Social and structural factors to promote maternal health in Bangladesh. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 10(3), 216-225. doi:10.1080/17538068.2017.1313640
Frank, L. B., Murphy, S. T., Chatterjee, J. S., Moran, M. B., & Baezconde-Garbanati, L. (2015). Telling stories, saving lives: Creating narrative health messages. Health Communication, 30(2), 154-163. doi:10.1080/10410236.2014.974126 PMID: 25470440