Don E. Willis

High Impact

Assistant Professor

UAMS primary UA Little Rock University of Arkansas

Also affiliated: Northwest College (2022–2023); Northwest University (2023); University of Missouri (2014–2018); University of Cincinnati Medical Center (2023)

Faculty Researcher

Northwest AR Research, College of Northwest Arkansas UAMS Campus

24 h-index 194 pubs 2,270 cited

Research Areas

Biomedical Subjects

Links

ORCID UAMS TRI Profile

OverviewAI-generated summary

Don E. Willis, Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, investigates factors influencing public health behaviors, particularly concerning infectious diseases and vaccination. His work has focused extensively on COVID-19, examining vaccine hesitancy, fear of infection, and self-efficacy across various demographic groups. Willis has published research exploring the sociodemographic determinants of vaccine hesitancy, the role of trust and fear, and motivations for vaccination among hesitant individuals.

His publications also address specific populations, including youth and Black adults, investigating the impact of racial discrimination on vaccine attitudes and experiences. Willis also studies perceived barriers to COVID-19 testing. He has a notable publication record, with an h-index of 24, over 193 total publications, and more than 2,150 citations, indicating significant scholarly output and impact.

Willis collaborates with several researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including Pearl A. McElfish, Jennifer A. Andersen, James Selig, and Ramey Moore, with whom he shares numerous joint publications. His recent activity and designation as a highly cited researcher underscore his ongoing contributions to public health research.

Metrics

h-index: 24
Publications: 194
Citations: 2,270

Selected Publications

Associations of food insecurity with gestational weight gain: findings from 10 PRAMS study sites (2016-2021) (2026)

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM DOI OpenAlex
Examining the Benefits of Early Prenatal Care Using US Birth Records (2026)

Public Health Reports DOI OpenAlex
Virtual Versus In-Person Prenatal Care Screenings Among Pregnant Women in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2021 (2026)

Public Health Reports DOI OpenAlex
Race, Place, and Unequal Health (2025)

The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Health, Illness, Behavior, and Society DOI OpenAlex
Race, Place, and Unequal Health (2025)

The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Health, Illness, Behavior, and Society DOI OpenAlex
Correction: Associations Between General Vaccine Hesitancy and Healthcare Access Among Arkansans (2025)

Journal of General Internal Medicine DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and racial discrimination among US adults” [Pre. Med. Rep. 31 (2022) 102074] (2025)

Preventive Medicine Reports DOI OpenAlex
Disparities in Prenatal Care Utilization in the United States (2025)

Maternal and Child Health Journal 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “Social processes, practical issues, and COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant adults” [Vaccine 41(35) (2023) 5150–5158]. (2025)

Vaccine DOI OpenAlex
Excessive gestational weight gain associated with higher risk of cesarean delivery across body mass index categories in the United States (2025)

Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “Correlates of COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Arkansas: Results from a weighted random sample survey” [Vaccine 41(41) (2023) 6120–6126] (2025)

Vaccine DOI OpenAlex
Postpartum care screenings by care modality among US mothers, 2020–2021 (2025)

AJOG Global Reports 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “Healthcare provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination: Prevalence, disparities, and correlates” [Patient Educ Couns 130 (2025) 108481] (2025)

Patient Education and Counseling DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “Pediatric HPV vaccination: Provider recommendations matter among hesitant parents” [Vaccine 42(25) (2025) 126166] (2025)

Vaccine DOI OpenAlex
Corrigendum to “Sociodemographic factors associated with prenatal care utilization in Arkansas, United States” [Prev. Med. Rep. 51(2025) 102983] (2025)

Preventive Medicine Reports DOI OpenAlex

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Grants & Funding

As listed on this researcher's institutional profile.

FOOD AS MEDICINE: ADDRESSING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (FOOD INSECURITY) TO EFFECT CLINICAL OUTCOMES (CEAL) Westat via Westat Principal Investigator
Community Engagement Research Alliance (CEAL) 2023-2024 Renewal NIH/Nat. Heart, Lung & Blood Institute via Westat Principal Investigator