Personal information

United States

Biography

Dr. Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez is a clinician scientist and health services researcher with a primary focus on improving health outcomes for Latinx and other vulnerable populations. Her work spans various aspects of health equity, community engagement, and community-informed interventions.

Following her medical degree and post-doctoral clinical training in Family Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Castellon-Lopez completed a fellowship in health services research with the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at UCLA. During this time, she earned a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

Dr. Castellon-Lopez’s NIH funded research focuses on addresses barriers to engagement in the Diabetes Prevention Program among low-income Latino patients, designing interventions for implementation in community health centers. Dr. Castellon-Lopez's research interests center around community-informed lifestyle interventions, cancer prevention, and promoting healthy lifestyles, all with a focus on addressing health equity. She is part of the Community Engagement Core for the UCLA-UCI Center for Eliminating Cardio-Metabolic Disparities in Multi-Ethnic Populations (UC-END DISPARITIES), that focuses on improving cardiometabolic risk factors in under-served communities.

Through collaboration with community organizations, safety-net clinics, patients and diverse stakeholders, I strive to develop and implement interventions that positively impact health outcomes and reduce disparities among vulnerable populations.

Activities

Employment (2)

Cedars-Sinai Health System: Los Angeles, CA, US

2023-02-28 to present | Clinician Researcher (Department of Medicine, Division of Population Science)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA: Los Angeles, California, US

2017-08-01 to present | Assistant Professor (Family Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Education and qualifications (6)

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2015 to 2018 | Masters of Science in Public Health Policy and Management (Fielding School of Public Health)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2015 to 2017 | Fellowship (Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2013 to 2015 | Resident (Department of Family Medicine)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2008 to 2012 | Doctor of Medicine
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2009 to 2009 | Internship Chief Fellow (Department of Medicine)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

1999 to 2006 | Bachelor of Arts
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Professional activities (21)

National Medical Fellowships: New York City, US

2024 | Scholar for Diversity in Clinical Trials Research Program
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

National Institutes of Health: Bethesda, US

2024 | Research Scholar (24th NIH Summer Institute for Randomized Trials of Behavioral Interventions)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

AcademyHealth: Washington, D.C., US

2023 | Best Poster in Child and Family Health (2023 Annual Research Meeting)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles, US

2022 | Southern California Rising Star (Super Doctors Recognition)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles, US

2021 | Southern California Rising Star (Super Doctors Recognition)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2019 | Impact Fellowship Recipient Recognition (Lester Breslow Distinguished Lecture/Fielding School of Public Health)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine: Leawood, US

2019 | New Faculty Scholar Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities: Bethesda, US

2019 | Research Scholar (Health Disparities Research Institute)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles, US

2019 | Southern California Rising Star (Super Doctors Recognition)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles, US

2018 | Southern California Rising Star (Super Doctors Recognition)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

National Institutes of Health: Bethesda, US

2017 | Academic Career Development Travel Award (National Medical Association)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Los Angeles Magazine: Los Angeles, US

2017 | Southern California Rising Star (Super Doctors Recognition)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

American Academy of Family Physicians: Leawood, US

2014 | Family Medicine Care Resident Service Award (Family Medicine)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2012 | Bloom-Satcher Award for Excellence in Family Medicine (Department of Family Medicine)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: Los Angeles, US

2012 | Carlos Juan Finlay Award for Excellence in Community Service (Medicine and Science)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

UniHealth Foundation: Los Angeles, US

2011 | Scholarship (UniHealth Foundation)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

California Legislature Assembly: Los Angeles, US

2011 | Certificate of Recognition for Founding Spring into Health, a health and wellness community event in South Los Angeles (Health and Wellness)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2010 | Letter of Distinction in the UCLA Primary Care Longitudinal Test (Department of Medicine)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Kaiser Permanente: Oakland, US

2010 | Oliver Goldsmith MD Scholarship for the Promotion and Advancement of Culturally Responsive Care (Kaiser Permanente)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Metropolitan Life Foundation: Los Angeles, US

2009 | Academic Excellence in Medicine (Metropolitan Life Foundation Award)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

University of California, Los Angeles: Los Angeles, US

2006 | Outstanding Research in Women's Health (Department of Women Studies Highest Honor)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Funding (6)

National Center for Engagement in Diabetes Equity Research: National CEDER: Stakeholder Engagement Studio Core

2023-09 to 2028-08 | Grant
National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

U2CDK137135-01

Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

A Multi-Level Evaluation of California’s New Medicaid Coverage for the Diabetes Prevention Program

2023-07 to 2025-06 | Grant
National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

R18DK122372-01A1

Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Understanding Barriers to Engagement in the Diabetes Prevention Program among Low-Income Latino Patients: Design and Implementation of an Intervention in Community Health Centers

2022-06-01 to 2023-03-02 | Grant
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: K23DK129828
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez via DimensionsWizard

Understanding Barriers to Engagement in the Diabetes Prevention Program Among Low-Income Latino Patients: Design and Implementation of an Intervention in Community Health Centers

2022-05 to 2027-03 | Grant
National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

1K23DK129828-01A1

Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

UCLA-UCI Center for Eliminating Cardio- Metabolic Disparities in Multi-Ethnic Populations (UC END- DISPARITIES)

2021-09 to 2026-06 | Grant
National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Engagement in the Diabetes Prevention Program among Low-Income Latino Medicaid Beneficiaries

2021-07 to 2024-07 | Grant
National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

L32 MD011958-02A2

Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Works (26)

Achieving health equity in bladder cancer care: Addressing disparities through collaborative research and evidence-based strategies

Bladder Cancer
2024-12 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Patricia A Thompson
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Identifying pre-diabetes 'hotspots' in Northern California using geospatial analysis: opportunities to target diabetes prevention strategies and improve health equity.

BMJ open
2024-12-20 | Journal article
Contributors: Tainayah Thomas; Duru OK; Yassin M; Rodriguez LA; Moin T; Castellon-Lopez Y; Schmittdiel J
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

MivacunaLA (MyshotLA): A Community-Partnered Mobile Phone Intervention to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Behaviors among Low-Income, Spanish-Speaking, and Immigrant Latino Parents or Caregivers

Vaccines
2024-05-08 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez; Alexandra M. Klomhaus; Cruz Garcia; Denise Marquez; Hilda Avila; Hannah Gravette; Ray Lopez-Chang; Brenda Ortega; Keith C. Norris; Arleen F. Brown et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Racial (In)Equity in South Los Angeles—Community Centered Experiences with COVID-19 Syndemics

Health Equity
2024-05-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Dilara K. Üsküp; Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez; Oluwadamilola Jolayemi; Cheryl A. Branch; Oladunni Adeyiga; Steve Shoptaw
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Outcomes: Insights from the Prediabetes Informed Decisions and Education Study

Health Equity
2024-05-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; O. Kenrik Duru; Norman Turk; Gerardo Moreno; Keith C. Norris; Amanda Vu; Rintu P. Saju; Chi-Hong Tseng; Kia Skrine-Jeffers; Carol M. Mangione et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Understanding the implementation and sustainability needs of evidence-based programs for racial and ethnic minoritized older adults in under-resourced communities with limited aging services

BMC Health Services Research
2024-04-13 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1472-6963
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Savanna L. Carson; Katherine T. Ward; Karina D. Ramirez; Lynn Phan Vo; Tony Kuo; Teresa Seeman; Stefanie D. Vassar; Laura Trejo; Ellen Eidem et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

A community-partnered approach for diversity in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials

Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
2023 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Raphael Landovitz; Ejiro Ntekume; Courtney Porter; Rachelle Bross; Robin Hilder; Aziza Lucas-Wright; Eric S. Daar; Pedro Chavez; Christopher Blades et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref
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Preferred source (of 2)‎

The Effectiveness of Shared Decision-making for Diabetes Prevention: 24- and 36-Month Results From the Prediabetes Informed Decision and Education (PRIDE) Trial.

Diabetes care
2023-12-01 | Journal article
Contributors: O. Kenrik Duru; Mangione CM; Turk N; Chon J; Fu J; Cheng G; Cheng F; Amanda Vu; Frosch D; Jeffers KS et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Using Digital Technology to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence: A Qualitative Study among Latinx Parents of Children Aged 5–11 in Under-Resourced Communities across Los Angeles County

Vaccines
2023-05-30 | Journal article
Contributors: Michael Panameno; Luisa R. Blanco; Ann Marie Hernandez; Renato Escobar; Brittney Zendejas; Susana Rafaela; Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez
Source: check_circle
Crossref
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Preferred source (of 3)‎

Differences in Weight Loss by Race and Ethnicity in the PRIDE Trial: a Qualitative Analysis of Participant Perspectives

Journal of General Internal Medicine
2022-11 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0884-8734
Part of ISSN: 1525-1497
Contributors: Rintu Saju; Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Norman Turk; Tannaz Moin; Carol M. Mangione; Keith C. Norris; Amanda Vu; Richard Maranon; Jeffery Fu; Felicia Cheng et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Exploring Perspectives on Establishing COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Black Communities.

Ethnicity & disease
2022-10-20 | Journal article
Contributors: Mansfield LN; Carson SL; Castellon-Lopez Y; Casillas A; Morris D; Ntekume E; Barron J; Norris KC; Arleen Brown
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

A qualitative study of COVID-19 vaccine decision making among urban Native Americans.

Vaccine: X
2022-08-30 | Journal article
Contributors: Epperson AE; Carson SL; Garcia AN; Casillas A; Castellon-Lopez Y; Arleen Brown; Garrison NA
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Predictors of online vs. in-person preference for lifestyle change programs among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Obesity Medicine
2022-08-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

“The System Doesn’t Let Us in”—A Call for Inclusive COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Rooted in Los Angeles Latinos’ Experience of Pandemic Hardships and Inequities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
2022-05 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Savanna L. Carson; Lisa Mansfield; Nanibaa’ A. Garrison; Juan Barron; D’Ann Morris; Ejiro Ntekume; Stefanie D. Vassar; Keith Norris; Arleen F. Brown et al.
Source: check_circle
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Association of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Perception With Interest in Diabetes Prevention Strategies Among Women With a History of Gestational Diabetes.

Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association
2022-03-23 | Journal article
Contributors: Amanda Vu; Turk N; Duru OK; Mangione CM; Panchal H; Amaya S; Castellon-Lopez Y; Norris K; Moin T
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

COVID-19 Vaccine Decision-making Factors in Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities in Los Angeles, California.

JAMA network open
2021-09-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Savanna Carson; Casillas A; Castellon-Lopez Y; Mansfield LN; Morris D; Barron J; Ntekume E; Landovitz R; Vassar SD; Norris KC et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Choice of Intensive Lifestyle Change and/or Metformin after Shared Decision Making for Diabetes Prevention: Results from the Prediabetes Informed Decisions and Education (PRIDE) Study.

Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making
2021-04-03 | Journal article
Contributors: Moin T; Jacqueline M. Martín; Mangione CM; Grotts J; Turk N; Norris KC; Tseng CH; Jeffers KS; Castellon-Lopez Y; Frosch DL et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Ethnic and Racial Differences in Adoption of Evidence-based Diabetes Prevention Strategies and Weight Loss Outcomes in a Shared Decision-Making Intervention

2021-02-26 | Preprint
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; O. Kenrik Duru; Norman Turk; Gerardo Moreno; Keith Norris; Amanda Vu; Rintu Saju; Chi Hong Tseng; Kia Skrine-Jeffers; Carol Mangione et al.
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Psychometric Properties of the Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure of Activation in Patients with Prediabetes

Journal of General Internal Medicine
2020-11 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Kia Skrine Jeffers; O. Kenrik Duru; Gerardo Moreno; Tannaz Moin; Jonathan Grotts; Carol M. Mangione; Keith C. Norris; Ron D. Hays
Source: check_circle
Crossref
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Preferred source (of 2)‎

Diabetes Prevention Program attendance is associated with improved patient activation: Results from the Prediabetes Informed Decisions and Education (PRIDE) study

Preventive Medicine Reports
2019-12 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2211-3355
Contributors: Kia Skrine Jeffers; Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Jonathan Grotts; Carol M. Mangione; Tannaz Moin; Chi-Hong Tseng; Norman Turk; Dominick L. Frosch; Keith C. Norris; Christopher C. Duke et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Effectiveness of Shared Decision-making for Diabetes Prevention: 12-Month Results from the Prediabetes Informed Decision and Education (PRIDE) Trial

Journal of General Internal Medicine
2019-11 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0884-8734
Part of ISSN: 1525-1497
Contributors: Tannaz Moin; O. Kenrik Duru; Norman Turk; Janet S. Chon; Dominick L. Frosch; Jacqueline M. Martin; Kia Skrine Jeffers; Yelba Castellon-Lopez; Chi-Hong Tseng; Keith Norris et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Emotional well-being and public health: A model initiative.

Public Health Reports
2018 | Journal article
Contributors: Yelba Castellon-Lopez
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

The impact of patient assistance programs and the 340B Drug Pricing Program on medication cost.

The American journal of managed care
2014-02-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Castellon YM; Bazargan-Hejazi S; Masatsugu M; Contreras R
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Relation of brain natriuretic peptide to myocardial performance index in adults with congenital heart disease.

The American journal of cardiology
2007-05-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Perlowski AA; Aboulhosn J; Castellon Y; Miner P; Child JS
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Regression of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations after transcatheter reconnection of the pulmonary arteries in patients with unidirectional Fontan.

Congenital heart disease
2007-05-01 | Journal article
Contributors: AboulHosn J; Danon S; Levi D; Castellon Y; Child J; Moore J
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez

Fontan operation and the single ventricle.

Congenital heart disease
2007-01-01 | Journal article
Contributors: AboulHosn JA; Shavelle DM; Castellon Y; Criley JM; Plunkett M; Pelikan P; Dinh H; Child JS
Source: Self-asserted source
Yelba Castellon-Lopez