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Research Interests: Health Communication; Persuasion; Message effects; Campaign design and evaluation; Information seeking
E-mail: nlewis@com.haifa.ac.il
Room: Rabin Complex 9305
Nehama Lewis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication at the University of Haifa, where she has been a faculty member since 2012. From March 2023 through October 2024, she served as the Vice Dean (Research) of the Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa. She is the elected Vice-Chair of the Health Communication division of the International Communication Association (since 2023).
Prof. Lewis received her B.A. (2002) and M.A. (2006) from the Hebrew University and an M.A. (2008), and her Ph.D. (2010) from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, under the supervision of Prof. Robert Hornik (https://www.asc.upenn.edu/).
Prof. Lewis was a visiting assistant professor at Florida International University’s Community Based Intervention Research Group (C-BIRG - https://cbri.fiu.edu/) from 2010-2012, and a visiting scholar at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) in fall, 2019, and at San Diego State University's School of Communication (Spring 2025). She has served as an elected member of the board of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) from 2018-2020. Her research interests focus on health communication, message and campaign effects, information seeking, and persuasion.
Her articles have been published in leading communication journals including the Journal of Communication, Journal of Health Communication, New Media and Society, Science Communication, Health Communication, Human Communication Research, as well as the International Journal of Drug Policy, Communication Methods and Measures, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and Patient Education and Counseling. Prof. Lewis is also an editorial board member for Health Communication, Science Communication, and the European Journal of Health Communication.
Courses taught: Introduction to Health Communication; Persuasion: Theory and Research; Campaign Design and Evaluation; Theories of Strategic Communication.
Publications
Publications
Har-Even, A., Lewis, N., Eliash-Fizik, H., & Sznitman, S. (2024). Haven't I waited long enough? The role of wait times and subjective impairment in cannabis-related driving behavior. International Journal of Drug Policy, 135, 104654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104654
Lewis, N, Andrews, E, Keefe, D, & Walter, N (2024). A Meta-Analytical Review of the Relationship, Antecedents and Consequences of Information Seeking and Information Scanning. Hunan Communication Research, 50(4), 468-479. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqae012
Lewis, N., & Atad, E. (2023). Effects of message framing and narrative format on promoting persuasive conversations with others about the flu vaccine. Health Communication, 39(10), 2110-2122. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2023.2257427
Connelly, Y., Lewis, N., Talmud, I., & Giora, K. (2023). Information processing likelihood, eHealth literacy and complexity of search strategies as predictors of health decision-making quality. New Media and Society. Epub ahead of print: https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231189856
Lewis, N., Eliash-Fizik, H., Har-Even, A., & Sznitman, S. (2023). Media framing of causes, risks, and policy solutions for cannabis-impaired driving: Does medical vs. non-medical cannabis context matter? Health Communication, 39(4), 828-837.. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2023.2187956
Lewis, N., & Martinez, L (2022). Information scanning impacts nonmedical drug use among college students: A longitudinal study of scanning effects. Health Communication, 38(10), 2035-2046. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2051269
Lewis, N., Connelly, Y., Henkin, G., Leibovich, M., & Akavia, A. (2022). Exploring factors that affect the adoption of advanced cryptographic techniques for data protection of patient medical records. Healthcare Informatics Research, 28(2), 132-142. https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2022.28.2.132
Sznitman, S., & Lewis, N. (2022,). Israeli News media coverage of COVID-19 and use of cannabis and tobacco: A case study of inconsistent risk communication, International Journal of Drug Policy, 103, 103648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103648
Lewis, N., Rossman, C., de Bruijn, G-J, & Martinez, L. S. (2022). Dual Process Models and Information Engagement: Testing Effects of Seeking, Scanning and Trust in Sources on Attitudes toward Marijuana. Journal of Communication, 72, 59-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqab024
Lewis, N., & Sznitman, S. (2022). Too much information? Excessive media use, maladaptive coping, and increases in problematic cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 54(3), 207-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2022.2031355
Lewis, N., & Eliash, H. (2022). Exposure to Risk Information Detail (RID) in News Coverage of Anorexia Increases Self-Efficacy to Perform Risky Behaviors. Health Communication, 37(6), 708-716.. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1864890
Sznitman, S., Rosenberg, D., & Lewis, N. (2021): Are COVID-19 health-related and socioeconomic stressors associated with increases in cannabis use in individuals who use cannabis for recreational purposes? Substance Abuse, 43(1), 301-308. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2021.1941513
Chodick, G., Rosenfeld Teper, G., Levi, S., Kopel, H., Kleinbort, A., Khen, E., Schejter, A., Shalev, V., Stein, M., & Lewis, N. (2021). The Impact of a Facebook Campaign among Mothers on HPV Vaccine Uptake among their daughters: A Randomized Controlled Study. Gynocologic Oncology, 160(1), 106-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.10.037
Lewis, N., & Martinez, L. S. (2020). Information Seeking as a Predictor of Risk Behavior: Testing A Behavior and Risk Information Engagement Model (BRIE). Journal of Health Communication, 25(6), 474-483. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2020.1797247
Lewis, N., & Sznitman, S. (2019). Engagement with medical cannabis information from online and mass media sources: Is it related to medical cannabis attitudes and support for legalization? International Journal of Drug Policy, Special Issue on ‘Online Data and Methods’, 73, 219-227. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30799152
Lewis, N., Pelled, A., & Tal-Or, N. (2019). The effect of exposure to thin models and digital modification disclaimers on women’s body satisfaction. International Journal of Psychology, 55(2), 245-254. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30779351
Sznitman, S. R., & Lewis, N. (2018). Examining effects of medical cannabis narratives on beliefs, attitudes, and intentions related to recreational cannabis: A web-based randomized experiment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 1(186), 219-225. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29471226
Cheng, Y., Ahn, J., Martinez, L., S., & Lewis, N. (2017). A cross-comparative survey of information seeking and scanning about drug-related sources and topics among U.S. and Israeli college students. Journal of Health Communication, 22(8), 692-701. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28759320
Lewis, N., Martinez, L, & Carmel, O. (2017). Measures of information seeking: A validation study in the context of nonmedical drug use behaviors. Communication Methods and Measures, 11(4), 266-288. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19312458.2017.1326021
Lewis, N., & Sznitman, S. (2017). You brought it on yourself: The joint effects of message type, stigma and responsibility attribution on attitudes toward medical cannabis. Journal of Communication, 67(2), 181-202. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12287
Martinez, L., & Lewis, N. (2016). The moderated influence of perceived behavioral control on intentions among the general U.S. population: Implications for public communication campaigns. Journal of Health Communication, 21(9), 1000-1015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27565188
Lewis, N., Martinez, L., Agbarya, A., & Piatok-Vaisman, T. (2016). Examining patterns and motivations for drug-related information seeking and scanning behavior: A cross-national comparison of American and Israeli college students, Communication Quarterly, 64(2), 145-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2015.1103282
Martinez, L, & Lewis, N. (2016). A mediation model to explain the effects of information seeking from media and interpersonal sources on young adults' intention to use marijuana. International Journal of Communication, 10, 1-24. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/4402/1622
Gibson, L., Freres, D., Tan, A., Lewis, N., Martinez, L. S., & Hornik, R. C. (2016). Non-medical information seeking amid conflicting health information: Negative and positive effects on prostate cancer screening. Health Communication, 31(4), 417-424. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703373
Lewis, N., Sznitman, S., & Broitman, D. (2015). A framing analysis of medical cannabis in Israeli newspaper coverage. Science Communication, 37(6), 675-702. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547015608507
Lewis, N. (2015). Examining normative influence in persuasive health messages: The moderating role of identification with other parents. International Journal of Communication, 9, 3000-3019. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/3669
Sznitman, S. R., & Lewis, N. (2015). Is cannabis an illegal drug or a medicine? A quantitative framing analysis of Israeli newspaper coverage. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(5), 446-452. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25661483
Moldovan-Johnson, M., Martinez, L. S., Lewis, N., Freres, D., & Hornik, R. (2014). The role of patient clinician information engagement and information seeking from nonmedical sources in fruit and vegetable intake among cancer patients. Journal of Health Communication, 29(10), 974-983. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4250474
Lewis, N., & Martinez, L. S. (2014). Does the number of cancer patients’ close social ties affect cancer-related information seeking through communication efficacy? Testing a mediation model. Journal of Health Communication, 19(9), 1076-1097. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242844/
Lewis, N. (2013) Priming effects of perceived norms on behavioral intention through observability. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 43, E97-E108. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12038
Ramirez, A.S., Freres, D., Martinez, L.M., Lewis, N., Bourgoin, A., Kelly, B., Lee, C.J., Nagler, R., Schwartz, J. S., Hornik, R. C. (2013). Information seeking from media and family/friends increases the likelihood of engaging in healthy lifestyle. Journal of Health Communication, 18(5), 527-542. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4254799/
Lee, C. J., Ramirez, S., Lewis, N., Gray, S. W., & Hornik, R. C. (2012). Looking beyond the internet: Examining socioeconomic inequalities in cancer information seeking among cancer patients. Health Communication, 27(8), 806-817. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22356137
Lewis, N., Martinez, L. S., Freres, D., Schwartz, J. S., Armstrong, K., Gray, S. W., Fraze, T., Nagler, R., Bourgoin, A., & Hornik, R. C. (2012). Information seeking from media and family and friends increases fruit and vegetable consumption among cancer patients. Health Communication, 27(4), 380-388. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21932985
Lee, C. J., Gray, S. W., & Lewis, N. (2010) Internet use leads cancer patients to be active health care consumers. Patient Education and Counseling, 81(1), 723-734. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20889279
Lewis, N., Gray, S. W., Freres, D., & Hornik, R. C. (2009). Cross source engagement with cancer-related information and its impact on doctor-patient relations. Health Communication, 24(8), 723-734. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950967/
Martinez, L. S., & Lewis, N. (2009). The role of direct-to-consumer advertising in shaping public opinion surrounding prescription drug use to treat depression or anxiety in youth. Journal of Health Communication, 14(3), 246-261. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730902805820
Annenberg Media Exposure Research Group: Arnold, A. K., Bigman, C., Brechman, J., Fishman, J., Lee, C., Lewis, N., Martinez, L., Verrochi, N., Wainwright, D., & Fishbein, M. (2008). Linking measures of media exposure to sexual cognitions and behaviors: A review. Communication Methods and Measures, 2(Issues 1 and 2), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312450802063180
Book chapters
Lewis, N. (2025). Information seeking, scanning and processing. In G.J. de Bruijn, & H. Vandebosch (Eds.), Handbook of Health, Media, and Communication (Chapter 27). In P. Schultz, & P. Cobley (Series Eds.) Mouton de Gruyter Handbook of Communication Science.
Lewis, N., Shekter-Porat, N., & Nasir, H. (2021). Health Information Seeking. In T. L. Thompson, & N. Harrington (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication (3rd edition) (pp. 399-411). Routledge Press.
Sznitzman, S., Lewis, N., & Taubman, D. (2014). Analysing Twitter as an opportunity to understand substance use, In Potter, J., Wouters, M., & Fountain, J. (Eds.), Drugs in Europe: Change and Continuity, European Society for Social Drug Research (pp. 103-122). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.
Wagner, E. F., & Lewis, N. (2019). Targeted prevention approaches. In S. Brown, R. Zucker., & C. Zimmerman (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Adolescent Substance Abuse. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Encyclopedia entries
Lewis, N., & Sznitman, S. (2022). Cannabis. In Ho, E., Bylund, C., & van Weert, J. (Eds.) The Wiley-Blackwell International Encyclopedia of Health Communication (IEHC). Malden, MA: Blackwell & the International Communication Association (ICA)
Lewis, N. (2017). Information seeking and scanning (2017). In Rössler, P. (Ed.) The Wiley-Blackwell International Encyclopedia of Media Effects (pp. 745-754), Malden, MA: Blackwell & the International Communication Association (ICA).
Articles in Conference Proceedings
Lisowska, A., Lewis, N., Gabanelli, P., Fraterman, I., Sacchi, L., Quaglini, S., Wilk, S., & Peleg, M. (2025). Does Personalization of Motivational Messages Enhance Adherence to Walking Interventions Among Cancer Patients? In Kondylakis, H., & Triantafyllidis, A. (eds) Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare. PervasiveHealth 2024. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 611. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-85572-6_6
Other Scientific publications
Lachter, J., Pahk, E., Shackelford, E., Asulin, R., & Lewis, N. (2016). Movie instructions can improve preparation for colonoscopy. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 111(9), 1367. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2016.270
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