Research Description
Dr. Fan Yang's research explores the prevention of risky health behaviors and the promotion of protective behaviors that contribute to better health outcomes, particularly among marginalized populations. Her interdisciplinary work integrates social work and technology, with a focus on leveraging AI to improve access to health care services and enhance the quality of health interventions.
Specifically, Dr. Yang's research spans three key areas: utilizing AI as an analytical tool to examine socio-ecological factors in disease prevention; analyzing the impact of AI on risky health behaviors among at-risk populations; and developing accessible, cost-effective AI-driven health care solutions. Additionally, her work addresses the ethical implications of AI, including data privacy and algorithmic bias, with a focus on reducing health care disparities and advancing health equity for underserved communities.
Education
Ph.D.in Social Work-University of Alabama
Masterof Social Work-University of Alabama
B.E. in Software Engineering-Luoyang Normal University, China
Additional Campus Affiliations
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
Highlighted Publications
Yang, F., Wang, C., Lindsey, M. A., & An, R. (2025). Use of Artificial-Intelligence-Based Chatbots to Promote Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Interventions. Kinesiology Review, 14(1), 80-92. https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2024-0081
Guo, Y., Hao, Z., Zhao, S., Gong, J., & Yang, F. (2020). Artificial intelligence in health care: Bibliometric analysis. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(7), Article e18228. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.18228, https://doi.org/10.2196/18228
Guo, Y., Yang, F., Hu, F., Li, W., Ruggiano, N., & Lee, Y. (2020). Existing mobile phone apps for self-care management of people with Alzheimer disease and related dementias: Systematic analysis. JMIR Aging, 3(1), Article 15290. https://doi.org/10.2196/15290
Yang, F., Li, X., Qin, W., & Guo, Y. (2021). The Influence of Media and Psychological Factors on Preventive Hand Cleaning Behavior in the Pandemic of COVID-19 Among Chinese Adults. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 33(5), 670-671. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211014649
Guo, Y., Qin, W., Wang, Z., & Yang, F. (2021). Factors influencing social distancing to prevent the community spread of COVID-19 among Chinese adults. Preventive Medicine, 143, Article 106385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106385
Recent Publications
Sun, N., Tao, Z., Tan, D., Yang, F., Lu, W., Bi, S., & Jiang, C. (2025). A High-Performance Stretchable Hydrogel for Advanced Health Technology: Antifreezing, Self-Healing Electronics in Thermal Therapy and Motion Sensing. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.5c00194
Yang, F., Wei, J., Zhao, X., & An, R. (2025). Artificial Intelligence–Based Mobile Phone Apps for Child Mental Health: Comprehensive Review and Content Analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 13, Article e58597. https://doi.org/10.2196/58597
Yang, F., Wang, C., Lindsey, M. A., & An, R. (2025). Use of Artificial-Intelligence-Based Chatbots to Promote Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Interventions. Kinesiology Review, 14(1), 80-92. https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2024-0081
Guo, Y., Shi, J., Kulkarni, S., & Yang, F. (2024). Interprofessional collaboration and work stress among health-care providers in China: A comparative study between physicians and nurses. Social Science Quarterly, 105(1), 68-80. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13329
Guo, Y., Wei, J., Ademu, L. O., & Yang, F. (2024). Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Reality in Healthcare Education and Training: Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Public Health Issues and Practices. https://doi.org/10.33790/jphip1100227