Research Interests

Applying epidemiologic methods to the evaluation of the economic, social, and health consequences of youth-onset diabetes, youth-onset obesity, and injuries. Dr. Songer's current work focuses on examining the costs and benefits of interventions in childhood diabetes treatment and prevention, and in examining the relative contribution of health and disability to motor vehicle crashes and injuries. Past projects have focused on investigating injuries related to the weather, identifying the medical costs related to diabetes, the costs associated with child maltreatment, and evaluating the influence of economic factors as risk factors in diabetes outcomes.

• Diabetes Health Economics
• Injury Epidemiology
• Diabetes and Motor Vehicle Crashes
• Economic Impact of Obesity Interventions
• Injuries to Wheelchair Users in Motor Vehicle Transportation
• Injuries arising from Thunderstorms
• Selected Publications

Teaching

Courses at Pitt
• EPIDEM 2110; Principles of Epidemiology
• EPIDEM 2670; Injury Epidemiology
• EPIDEM 2640; Injury Prevention & Control
• HRS 1017; Intro to Epidemiology

Recent Research Support

• STOPP-T2D, Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes. NIDDK
• The Healthy Lifestyle Project. NIDDK
• Targeting Obesity and Blood Pressure in Urban Youth. NHLBI

Education & Training

• University of Notre Dame - B.S. PreProfessional Studies, 1983
• University of Pittsburgh - M.P.H. Epidemiology, 1986
• University of Pittsburgh - Ph.D. Epidemiology, 1990
• London School of Economics - M.Sc. Health Planning and Financing, 1991

Recent and Selected Publications

• Dorsey R, Songer T. Lifestyle behaviors and physician advice for change among overweight and obese persons with prediabetes and diabetes in the United States. Prevention of Chronic Diseases 8(6):132, 2011. [Accessible at http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/nov/10_0221.htm]
• Songer TJ. The earnings of people with diabetes: a signal of poor health or a sign of better things to come? Diabetologia 53(6):1017-18, 2010.
• Songer T, Stephens-Stidham S, Peek-Asa C, Bou-Saada I, Hunter W, Lindemer K, Runyan C. Core Competencies for Injury and Violence Prevention. Amer J Public Health 99:600-606, 2009.
• Songer TJ, Dorsey RR. High risk characteristics for motor vehicle crashes in persons with diabetes by age. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 50:335-351, 2006.
• Songer TJ, Glazner J, Zhang P, and the TODAY Study Group. Examining the economic costs related to lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions in youth with Type 2 diabetes. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research 6(3):315-324, 2006.
• Songer TJ, Lave JR, Kamlet MS, Frederick S, Ness RB. Preferences for Fertility in Women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Fertility & Sterility 81(5):1344-50, 2004.
• Songer TJ, Fitzgerald SG, Rotko KA. The Injury Risk to Wheelchair Occupants using Motor Vehicle Transportation. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 48:115-129, 2004.
• Ettaro L, Songer TJ, Zhang P, Engelgau MM. Cost of Illness Studies in Diabetes. PharmacoEconomics 22(3):149-164, 2004.
• LaPorte RE, Songer TJ, Gower IF, Lave LB, Ekoe JM. Insulin-Using Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers. Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carriers, Pub. No. FHWA-MC-92-012, Washington, DC, US Dept. of Transportation, May 1992. [Available online at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/publications/medreports.htm.]

Selected PDF documents

• Songer TJ, Coben JH, Ettaro L, Staren D. Health Care Costs Associated with Violence in Pennsylvania. Highmark, Inc., Camp Hill, PA, March 2000
• Songer TJ, Ettaro L, and the Economics of Diabetes Project Panel. Studies on the Costs of Diabetes, Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 1998.
• Songer T, Caggiula A, Ettaro L, Olson M, Larsen D. Cost-Effectiveness of Nutrition Therapy in the MDRD Study.
• Songer TJ. Disability in Diabetes. In: Diabetes in America, 2nd Edition. National Diabetes Data Group. NIH Pub. No. 95-1468, Washington, DC, US Government Printing Office, 1995.