About

Mary Janevic, PhD, MPH, is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity at the U-M School of Public Health. Her research centers around promoting healthy aging, particularly in underserved populations, utilizing community-engaged research methods. A major focus of her work is addressing disparities in chronic pain and developing self-management interventions for vulnerable populations. She is involved in leading two five-year randomized controlled trials of community health worker-led interventions for older adults in Detroit, including the STEPS chronic pain self-management program and the RESET intervention targeting loneliness and functional deficits among older adults post-COVID-19. Dr. Janevic co-directs the Health Equity Core of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at Michigan Medicine, aiming to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within clinical care, research, and intervention development for chronic pain and fatigue conditions. Her work includes collaboration with local agencies such as the Detroit Area Agency on Aging and the United Auto Workers to provide education on non-pharmacological pain treatments. Her research interests also encompass community and stakeholder engagement in research, family caregiving, cultural influences on chronic disease management, and physical activity among chronically ill older adults.

Research topics

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Gender studies
• Business
• Social psychology
• Advertising

Selected publications

• A Qualitative Exploration of Multilevel Factors Affecting Sleep Quality Among Minoritized Older Adults

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Poor sleep is a risk factor for dementia and other chronic conditions, and disproportionately affects African American and economically marginalized older adults. Drivers of sleep inequities exist at the individual, household/neighborhood, and structural levels. We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with adults aged 50 to 74, 77% African American, who reported persistent “poor” or “very poor” sleep quality over 2+ months. We sought to identify the multilevel factors that impact sleep and elicit feedback on potential components of a behavioral sleep intervention tailored for this community. Using a rapid qualitative analysis approach, we first developed a template reflecting domains of interest (e.g., factors hindering sleep), and then extracted data from transcripts for each domain. We aggregated and reviewed data for main findings. Results revealed that sleep impediments were multilevel. Individual level factors included feeling worried/anxious and being disturbed by pain. Household/neighborhood factors were needing to be “on alert” at night due to security concerns or to care for elderly parents, noise from adult children or pets, and sleeping in a too-warm room. Most participants did not have difficulty falling asleep but woke up repeatedly and had trouble going back to sleep. Appealing features of an intervention included improving sleep without medications; having regular contact with a community health worker; wearing a watch to track sleep; and resources such as videos and podcasts. Findings suggest that a behavioral sleep intervention tailored to the specific needs of older adults in a marginalized community has the potential to be both acceptable and efficacious.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Using Multi-Method Insights to Develop a Novel Chronic Pain Self-Management Intervention for Black Older Adults

  Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · 2025-12-22

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prevalence and Correlates of Poor Sleep Quality in a Sample of Minoritized Older Adults with Chronic Pain

  Journal of Pain · 2025-04-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• The Optimal Health Weight and Lifestyle (OHWL) Clinic: Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary and Geriatric-Focused Care for Multimorbid Older Adults With Obesity

  Current Developments in Nutrition · 2025-08-14

  articleOpen access

  Background: The prevalence of obesity among older adults is increasing, and care is complicated by comorbidities. Objectives: This study describes the baseline cohort of the Optimal Health, Weight, and Lifestyle clinic, designed to address weight management using geriatric principles with focus on comorbidities, function, and quality of life. It also highlights the need for multidisciplinary, coordinated care for this population. Methods: referred for weight management. Assessments included obesity-related comorbidities; self-reported measures for pain, physical health, and mental health using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores; grip strength using an in-clinic dynamometer; and specialist care. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the 58 patients was 73.4 (4.8) y, and they were predominantly female (76%) and White (81%). With a mean of over 12 comorbidities, common comorbidities included chronic kidney disease (98%), hypertension (97%), osteoarthritis (93%), obstructive sleep apnea (83%), prediabetes (42%), and diabetes (42%). Patients were comanaged by an average of 4 specialists. PROMIS physical and mental health scores were low at 40 and 45 y, respectively, and worsened with increasing BMI. Thirty-six percent had physical activity limitations, and 30% were dissatisfied with social activities and relationships. Grip strength was below age/gender norms in most patients. Conclusions: Older adults with obesity have multiple comorbidities, low strength, and high pain interference, and receive care from multiple specialists, placing them at risk of fragmented care. A person-centered, geriatric-focused approach incorporating the Medication, Mentation, Mobility, and What Matters (4Ms) framework is needed, along with comprehensive obesity care provided by a team-based approach. Further evidence-based interventions adapting lifestyle and medication management to this cohort are also needed.

  PublisherDOI

• Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes (ISSHOOs) in pain research: consensus recommendations for the collection and reporting of equity-relevant data

  EClinicalMedicine · 2025-10-25 · 8 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: The aspiration to improve health equity is fundamental to scholarly focus and action in public health, and highly relevant to addressing the global burden of pain-the leading contributor to disability worldwide. There is potential for advancement towards health equity to be facilitated by greater access to data that identifies the role of socio-demographic factors in pain and health outcomes. Methods: The 'Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes (ISSHOOs) in Pain Research' project was a multi-stage process that aimed to reach consensus on the most important equity-relevant items to include in all human adult pain research. Conducted April 2022-May 2025, it incorporated two scoping reviews (published 2023), an international Delphi study (published 2025), consensus meetings and focus groups; prioritising global participation, patient perspectives, and interdisciplinary expertise throughout. Findings: Three hundred and four individuals from 45 countries, across six continents, contributed to developing two sets of items. Set A, the 'minimum dataset', is a globally relevant set of eight standardised socio-demographic items (age, sex, gender identity, place, race/ethnicity/cultural identity, education, financial position, work status), accompanied by concise guidance to assist implementation and setting-specific tailoring; Set B is an 'extended dataset' of optional items from which researchers can select items consistent with their study population and research questions. The ISSHOOs recommendations offer a culturally sensitive, cross-culturally relevant, practical and highly useful resource. Interpretation: Routine adoption and clear reporting of the ISSHOOs datasets across all human adult pain research will lead to improved and harmonious descriptions of research participants across health equity domains. Our goal is to promote equity-relevant awareness and understanding, and ultimately drive progress towards reducing avoidable disparities in health for people with pain, with potential for broader application to other fields of health. Funding: NHMRC (Australia); MAYDAY Fund; IASP; Canada Research Chair Program; European Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme; ZonMw programs.

  PublisherDOI

• Joint call to action paper—Pain disparities special issues: Why this, why now? A unified call at a critical time.

  Health Psychology · 2025-12-15 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  As the gatekeepers of scientific knowledge, journal editors, reviewers, and study section members hold a profound responsibility for shaping what is valued and disseminated in our field. Achieving equity in pain science requires a critical reevaluation of how rigor is defined and applied, as well as a commitment to dismantling the biases embedded in academic publishing and peer review. The priorities described in this joint call to action paper outline a path toward a more inclusive and representative scientific record. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• Joint call to action paper—Pain disparities special issues: Why this, why now? A unified call at a critical time

  Journal of Pain · 2025-11-05

  editorialOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Emerging approaches to addressing longstanding inequities: Insights from the Journal of Pain special issue on pain disparities

  Journal of Pain · 2025-07-29 · 1 citations

  editorial
  PublisherDOI

• Feasibility of a Chronic Pain 101 Workshop for Community Health Workers in a Federally Qualified Health Center

  Journal of Pain · 2025-04-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• 157 Development of a skills assessment for the formative evaluation of clinical research professionals working in behavioral and social science research contexts

  Journal of Clinical and Translational Science · 2025-03-25

  articleOpen access

  Objectives/Goals: To support the growing number of clinical research professionals (CRP) working in behavioral and social science contexts, relevant formative assessments of research skills are needed. This study examines the development of an objective formative assessment designed to assess skills relevant to conducting social and behavioral research. Methods/Study Population: A multidisciplinary group at the University of Michigan was convened to develop the assessment. Case studies depicting clinical and translational research conducted in behavioral and social science contexts were used to measure proficiency in seven of the eight ECRPTQ competencies: Scientific Concepts & Research Design, Ethical & Participant Safety Concerns, Clinical Trial Operations (Good Clinical Practice), Study & Site Management, Data Management & Informatics, Leadership & Professionalism, Communication, and Teamwork & Team Science. Three difficulty levels of questions were developed: basic, intermediate, and advanced. To reinforce knowledge and skill development, the assessment was designed to give respondents formative feedback after responding to each question. Results/Anticipated Results: A preliminary “pre-pilot” test was conducted with three postdoctoral scholars to ensure that the assessment items were understandable. The assessment was then pilot tested with a larger group of 40 clinical research professionals (CRP) to test for the clarity and difficulty level of the items. A smaller group of 20 of these CRPs agreed to participate in focus groups to obtain feedback on their user experience. Data regarding years of experience as a CRP, types of studies engaged with, and information regarding professional certification were collected and used in the analyses. Demographic data collected were not connected to user responses. Results of the pilot test and focus groups were used to revise the questions on the final version of the assessment. Discussion/Significance of Impact: To our knowledge, this is the first objective assessment of research skills for CRP working in behavioral and social science contexts. We will discuss how other institutions can use this instrument to evaluate the training needs of their social and behavioral research workforce.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• A low-intensity, cognitive-behavioral self-management intervention for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older adults

  NIH · $580k · 2016–2021

• An Efficacy Trial of Community Health Worker-Delivered Chronic Pain Self-Management Support for Vulnerable Older Adults

  NIH · $3.3M · 2021–2026

• Improving Physical and Psychosocial Functioning in Older Adults: A Community Health Worker-Led Intervention

  NIH · $1.0M · 2021–2026

Frequent coauthors

• John D. Piette

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  55 shared

• Justin M. List

  United States Department of Veterans Affairs

  49 shared

• Claireta Thomas

  49 shared

• Lee Anne Roman

  49 shared

• Katherine Mitchell

  49 shared

• Nicholas Yankey

  VA Center for Clinical Management Research

  49 shared

• Gloria Palmisano

  49 shared

• Caitlin G. Allen

  Medical University of South Carolina

  49 shared