Publications

Scholarly Journals--Published

  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Distelberg, B., Habimana, S., Rivas, L., and Montgomery, S.B. Supporting healthy weight in times of crisis: results of a one-year community health worker-led intervention among food (in)secure low-income Latinas. BMC Public health, volume 25. The COVID-19 pandemic left the US healthcare system overburdened and with persisting health disparities between certain groups, with low-income populations - especially Latino women - remaining disproportionately affected. Interventions led by community health workers are known to improve results among disadvantaged populations. In this study, our goal was to assess the impact of a community health worker-led intervention during a time of crisis such as the first year of the pandemic. Overweight/obese low-income Latinas (N=62) living in Southern California attended a weight-management lifestyle intervention led by trained community health workers which began immediately prior to the pandemic and lasted for a year (the gold standard for assessing success of weight loss programs is determining if the effects persist for at least one year).  While most of their fellow community members gained weight, obese and overweight low-income, food insecure Latinas enrolled in this intervention reduced their risk of obesity-related chronic diseases (improved weight and waist circumference, and a trend towards better A1C) with those experiencing food insecurity benefiting as much as food secure participants. Weight loss was attributed mainly to social and emotional support provided and fostered by the community health workers and an overall increase in knowledge.  Personal contact is important no matter what food security status a person has. It is critical to ensure that individuals have their basic needs met before we can get their attention and consistent interest in maintaining and improving their health.  With health and economic crises often closely associated with one another, our findings suggest that it is possible to provide healthcare to the poor and the underserved without increasing the health disparity gap nor the health burden even in times of public health crises. This is especially important as several government-funded programs in the USA currently face a reduced budget. Preventive interventions led by community health workers that rely less on the complex healthcare system could be an effective way of reducing the risk of chronic disease among food insecure women, especially Latinas. Engaging community health workers in leading health promotion programs for high-risk individuals could ultimately help reduce the health disparity gaps and nationwide health and economic burdens associated with healthcare during times of crises.  (11/2025) (link)
  • Matangi, N., Joachim-Célestin, M., Granillo, C., Rodarte, V., Buckles, B., Ashby, T., Thiruvengadam, N., and Montgomery, S. (2025). A mixed methods exploration of social media use for health information in under-resourced communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(7), 1081 (07/2025) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M. & Montgomery, S.B. (2024). Making the most of familismo to curb the diabetes epidemic: early evidence of success delivering the same intervention to Latinas at risk for and with diabetes. Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes;17.  (09/2024) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Matangi, M., Bagcus, J., and Montgomery, S.B. (2024). Religiosity of Latinas living in the USA curbs depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 63, Issue 2. This mixed-methods study was conducted to explore the role of faith in mental health among Latino women (Latinas) during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a lifestyle study, surveys were administered to 89 participants during the 1st year of the pandemic. Specifically, a focus group was conducted with participants (n=6) directly affected by COVID-19 (i.e., self or family member). The results showed inverse correlations between religiosity and both depression and anxiety, as well as positive correlations among religious practices, religious coping, and religiosity. Given these associations, future interventions should explore the role of faith in supporting individuals during difficult times.  (04/2024) (link)
  • Ioffe, Y.J., Hong, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Soret, C., Montgomery, S.B., and Untermaehrer, J.J. (2023). Genetic Ttesting in the Latinx community: Impact of acculturation and provider relationships. Gynecologic Oncology 169, 125-130. (12/2022) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Rockwood, N.J., Clarke, C., and Montgomery S.B. (2022). Evaluating the Full Plate Living lifestyle intervention among low-income Latinas with and without food insecurity. Women's Health (London, England). 18, 17455057221091350. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221091350 (04/2022) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., Dos Santos, H., & Montgomery S.B. (2021). Delivering an intervention to Hispanic/Latinos with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Early evidence of success in a longitudinal mixed method study. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580211055595 (11/2021) (link)
  • Lee, L.K., Ruano, E., Fernandez, P., Ortega, S., Lucas, C., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2021). Workforce readiness training: A comprehensive training model that equips community health workers to work at the top of their practice and profession. Frontiers in Public Health. 9:673208. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.673208 (06/2021) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Chara, R. & Montgomery, S.B. (2021). Living near an immigration detention center: impact on Latinas’ health. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.  (05/2021) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., Dos Santos, H., & Montgomery S.B. (2020). A qualitative study on the perspectives of Latinas enrolled in a diabetes prevention program. Is the cost of prevention too high? Journal of Primary Care and Community Health (07/2020) (link)
  • Deshields, S., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara M., Miller, L.M., DaCosta Davis, S.S., Montgomery S.B. & Clarke, C. (2019). Intention to implement a healthy lifestyle: does acculturation make a difference? Journal of Quality in Health Care & Economics. (11/2019) (link)
  • Miller, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara, M., Deshields, S., DaCosta Davis, S., Montgomery, S.B., & Clarke, C. (2019). Acculturation, familial support, and unhealthful dietary patterns: evaluating notable trends in a Latino population. Harvard Public Health Review. 2019; 23. (09/2019) (link)
  • Clarke, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara, M, Rea, B., & Montgomery, S.B. (2019). Diabetes, obesity and its root causes: a Latino perspective. Diabetes and Obesity International Journal, Vol. 4, Issue 3. DOI: 10.23880/doij-16000211   (07/2019) (link)
  • Clarke, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Rae, B., Lara M., & Montgomery, S.B. (2019). Immigration to the US: The insidious health risk factor. Journal of Health Science, 7. DOI:10.17265/2328-7136/2019.04.004 (04/2019) (link)

Abstract

  • Gupta, A.R., Richards, J., Sakai, L., Al-Manaseer, F., Nguyen, Miles, E., Cote, G.M., Ferrell, B.R., Joachim-Célestin, M., Montgomery, S., Saumoy, M., Reeves, M.E., and Thiruvengadam, N.R. (2024). Correlations of significant delays and ethnic disparities in the receipt of treatment, palliative care, and supportive care in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol. 42, Issue 16_suppl.   (05/2024) (link)
  • Ioffe, Y., Hong, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Soret, C., Schwartz, Z., Montgomery, S., and Unternaehrer, J. (2022). Exploring the role of acculturation in promoting genetic testing in the Latinx community (417). Gynecologic Oncology 166, S210-S211. (08/2022) (link)
  • Soret, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Hong, L., Schwartz, Z., Montgomery, S., Unternaehrer, J., and Ioffe, Y. (2022). Education and context matter when it comes to genetic testing among Latinx women (424). Gynecologic Oncology 166, S213-S214. (08/2022) (link)

Online Publications

  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Montgomery, S.B. (March 2021). Full Plate Living Intervention curriculum - English and Spanish. Includes the facilitator guide, participant guide and fiber guide supplement for community health workers leading this culturally-adapted Spanish intervention.  (03/2021) (link)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011).  Ministerial Spouses Association. General Conference Ministerial Association. Family meals.  (2011) (link)

Non-Scholarly Journals

  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011). Health benefits of family meals. The family that eats together:  A gift that can promote your family’s health and keep your children on track.  Ministry Magazine, 83(6), 13-16. (2011). (06/2011) (link)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011).  Faith at the Table. Australian Record, 16(8), 10-12. (04/2011)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011). Eat with your kids. Signs of the Times, 138(8), 10-13. (2011)
  • Hopkins, GL, McBride, D., & Célestin, M. (2011). “Policy Proposal to New Zealand Government for Preventing Alcohol Use Through Implementing Service Learning in Schools.” (2011)