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John Harris, MD, MSc
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
"Whether it is someone with a disability learning how to achieve her reproductive health goals or someone with severe obesity and disability searching for good long-term care services, we need to help healthcare systems have more dignity, more equity, more accessibility, and more accommodation."
John Harris, MD, MSc
Research in Brief
Dr. Harris strives to improve the lives of people with disabilities across their lifespans, from decisions about reproductive health to end-of-life care. He aims to improve how the healthcare system interacts with people of all sizes, cognitive functions, mobility needs, and communication styles. Dr. Harris’s research is motivated by the patients he sees in the UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Center for Women with Disabilities.
Specific areas of research include:
- Improving reproductive health and health education for women with disabilities from preconception health to menopause.
- Improving health care delivery for people with severe obesity needing long-term services and supports.
Current Projects
CENTER FOR PREGNANCY AND DISABILITY RESEARCH
Funding: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (PIs: Mitra/Horner-Johnson) 2001-2029
A CONTINUING EDUCATION INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS ABLEISM AMONG OBSTETRIC CLINICIANS PROVIDING PERINATAL CARE
Funding: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (PIs: Mitra/Iezzoni) 2024-2029
NAVIGATING AND EMBRACING CHANGE: EXPLORING KEY FACTORS IN THE MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
Funding: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (PI: Kalpakjian) 2025-2027
ADDRESSING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND BARRIERS AMONG YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
Funding: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (PIs: Mitra/Horner-Johnson) 2023-2028
DISPARITIES IN PERINATAL CARE AND OUTCOMES AMONG BLACK WOMEN AND LATINAS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Funding: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (PIs: Mitra/Horner-Johnson) 2001-2025
DEVELOPING AND TESTING AN EVIDENCE-BASED TOOLKIT FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF RESIDENTS WITH OBESITY
Funding: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 1R01 HS026943 (PI: Harris) 7/18-4/24
EVALUATION OF HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH OBESITY AND DISABILITIES
Funding: Pennsylvania Department of Health Project 4100088553 (PI: Harris) 6/21-6/25
Selected Publications
- McCabe M, Gabor A, Stephens J, McKee MM, Brown HK Ayers KB, Valentine A, Horner-Johnson W, Mitra M, Harris JA. Pilot Study for a Preconception Educational Intervention for People with Mobility Disabilities. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2025 Jun; 44:101101.
- Shieu B, Lee YW, Epps F, Wang MC, Harris JA. Improving Medication-Related Safety for Residents in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Study. J Gerontol Nurs. 2025 Mar;51(3):38-43. Epub 2025 Jan 10.
- Gabor A, Stephens J, McKee MM, Brown HK Ayers KB, Valentine A, Horner-Johnson W, Mitra M, Harris JA. Consensus Preconception Educational Domains for People With Mobility Disabilities: A Delphi Study. Women's Health Issues. 2025;35(1):20-7.
- Fernandez L, Shieu B, Trinkoff A, Castle N, Wolf DG, Handler S, Harris JA. Paying A Heavy Price: Costs of Care for People with Severe Obesity in Nursing Homes. Gerontologist. 2024 Jul; 64(7):gnad150.
- McMahan C, Shieu B, Trinkoff A, Castle NG, Wolf NG, Handler S, Harris JA. Factors associated with the ability of US Nursing Homes to accept residents with severe obesity. JAMDA. 2024 May; 25(5):912-916.e3.
- Harris JA, Kavalieratos D, Thoonkuzhy M, Shieu B, Schenker Y. • Trends in Obesity Prevalence among US Older Adults in the Last Two Years of Life, 1998-2018. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2023 Feb;65(2):81-86. PMID: 36384180O
- McGarity MZ, Herndon CN, Harris JA, Hobbs BF. Impact of satellite clinics on geographic access to assisted reproductive technology services in the United States. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Jul 19; 22(1):928.
- O'Connor-Terry C, Harris JA. Pregnancy Decision-Making in Women with Physical Disabilities. Disability and Health Journal. 2022 Jan; 15(1):101176.
For additional publications, click here.