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Research Interests:
Community and individual level interventions designed to improve the health and well being of women, children, and families, including the reduction of health disparities among minority populations. Current research projects include: implementation and evaluation of an innovative prenatal care model in federally qualified health centers throughout Missouri, evaluating the relative risks associated with race and preventive health care services for women of reproductive age (i.e., preconception and prenatal) and identifying evidence-based interventions designed to reduce associated disparities. Past research projects have included: reducing alcohol-exposed pregnancies, evaluating a motivational interviewing training program designed for health care providers who serve women that smoke, and designing and implementing a state-level infant mortality collaborative with a focus on racial disparity.

Teaching Interests:
Behavioral Research Methods, MCH Epidemiology, and Adult Development and Aging.

Xaverius P, Tenkku LE, Salas J, & Morris DS. (2009). Exploring health by reproductive status: An epidemiological analysis of preconception health. Journal of Women's Health, 18(1), 49-56.

Xaverius P, Tenkku LE, & Salas J. (2009, in press). Health differences between women at higher and lower risk for an unintended pregnancy. Women's Health Issues.

Tenkku LE, Morris DS, Salas J, & Xaverius P. (2008, Sep 9). Racial disparities in pregnancy-related drinking reduction. Maternal and Child Health Journal, epub. >

Xaverius PK, Homan S, Nickelson P, Tenkku LE (2007). Disparities rank high in prioritized maternal child health (MCH) research agenda in Missouri. Maternal Child Health Journal, 11(5), 511-516.