Carolyn T. Halpern, PhD

Dr. Halpern is professor and chair of the Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is also a developmental psychologist and deputy director/co-investigator of the Waves IV and V National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) program project.

Dr. Halpern’s research interests center on improving understanding of healthy sexual development and the implications of adolescent experiences for developmental and demographic processes into adulthood, particularly as these relate to sexual and romantic relationships.

Dr. Halpern has nearly 30 years of research experience in the study of adolescent and young adult sexuality and risk-taking in both U.S. and global settings, and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications on these topics. She has received multiple university-wide and national awards for mentoring and academic leadership.

Honors and Awards

Recipient John E. Larsh Jr. Student Mentorship Award

2016, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nominated for Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2014, UNC-CH

Nominee for the John Larsh Student Mentorship Award

2014, UNC-CH

Recipient Loretta Lacey Academic Leadership Award

2010, National Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health

Recipient National Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health Loretta Lacey Academic Leadership Award

2010, UNC-CH

Recipient Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring

2009, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Delta Omega

2007, Honorary Public Health Society

Nominated for Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2007, UNC-CH

Nominated for the Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2007, UNC-CH

Nominated for the Graduate School Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2006, UNC-CH

Nominee for the Bernard G. Greenberg Alumni Endowment Award

2004, UNC-CH

Nominee for the John Larsh Student Mentorship Award, Spring

2001, n/a

Nominee for McGavran Excellence in Teaching Award, Spring

2000, n/a

Representative Courses

MHCH 685 Human Sexuality | Syllabus

Teaching Interests

Research Activities

Dr. Halpern’s research interests center on improving understanding of healthy sexual development and the implications of adolescent experiences for developmental and demographic processes into adulthood. Her early research focused on the hormonal underpinnings of pubertal change and how the interactions of physical, psychological and social changes contribute to adolescent sexual initiation and behavior. Her current research examines comprehensive sexual initiation patterns among youth, and the implications of those patterns for later sexual behavior and adult health. Most of her research uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), for which Dr. Halpern serves as Deputy Director.

Service Activities

2017 – present NIH CIHB - Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section, Standing Member

2016 – present Member of Unintended Pregnancy Priority Working Group, NC State Health Improvement plan

2016 - present Member Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for NIDDK funded clinical consortium titled Adolescent Bariatrics: Assessing Health Benefits and Risks (Teen-LABS) study

2016 – Present Chair, Resource Development Committee, Sexual Health Initiatives for Teens, North Carolina (SHIFT NC); [Formerly Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina]

2015 – present Associate Editor for Public Health and Policy, Journal of Adolescent Health

2014 – present Member, Dean’s Council

2014 – present Member, Chairs’ Committee

2013 - present Advisory Board Member, Future of Sex Education (FoSE) Collaboration

2013 – Present Member, Board of Directors, Sexual Health Initiatives for Teens, North Carolina (SHIFT NC); [Formerly Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina]

Practice Activities

Program Committee Member for the 2018 Meeting of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Organizer and chair for the session “Adolescent Risk Behaviors and Health” for 2018 meeting of the Population Association of America.

Key Publications

Minimizing Attrition in The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health: Solutions and Ongoing Challenges. C Tischner, K Considine , C Carson, B Burke, K Harris, C Halpern (2019).

The Depths of Despair Among US Adults Entering Midlife. L Gaydosh, R Hummer, T Hargrove, C Halpern, J Hussey, E Whitsel, N Dole, K Harris (2019). American journal of public health, 109(5), 774-780.

Transitioning from in-person mode to web-mail mixed mode in a panel survey. D Liao, P Biemer, K Harris, B Burke, C Halpern (2019).

Intergenerational effects of mass incarceration: Parental incarceration and children’s earnings in young adulthood. M Turner, C Halpern (2019).

Is developmental change in gender-typed behavior associated with adult sexual orientation? N Kahn, C Halpern (2019). Developmental psychology, 55(4), 855-865.

Effects of Two Educational Posters on Contraceptive Knowledge and Intentions: A Randomized Controlled Trial. S Anderson, L Frerichs, A Kaysin, S Wheeler, C Halpern, K Lich (2019). Obstetrics and gynecology, 133(1), 53-62.

Metabolic Syndrome and Economic Strain Among Sexual Minority Young Adults. S Goldberg, K Conron, C Halpern (2019). LGBT health, 6(1), 1-8.

Variations in the timing of first sexual experiences among populations with physical disabilities in the United States. N Kahn, C Suchindran, C Halpern (2019). Disability and health journal, 12(2), 155-163.

Cognitive interviews to improve a patient-centered contraceptive effectiveness poster. S Anderson, M Barry, L Frerichs, S Wheeler, C Halpern, A Kaysin, K Lich (2018). Contraception, 98(6), 528-534.

Sexual orientation and sex differences in socioeconomic status: a population-based investigation in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. K Conron, S Goldberg, C Halpern (2018). Journal of epidemiology and community health, 72(11), 1016-1026.

Implications of adolescent sexual behavior for adult sexual health: Lessons learned from the Add Health study. C Halpern (2018).

Relationship between child maltreatment and adolescent body mass index trajectories. Sokol R, Gottfredson N, Shanahan M, Halpern CT (2018). Children and Youth Services Review, 93.

Two educational posters’ impact on contraceptive knowledge and intentions: A randomized control trial. Anderson SL, Freichs L, Kaysin S, Wheeler SB, Halpern CT, Hassmiller Lich K. (2018). Contraception, 98.

Does a parsimonious measure of Complex Body Mass Index Trajectories of BMI exist? Sokol R, Gottfredson N, Poti J, Halpern CT, Shanahan M, Fisher E, Ennett S. (2018). International Journal of Obesity.
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Sexual orientation and sex differences in socioeconomic status: A population-based investigation in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Conron KJ, Goldberg S, Halpern C. (1970). 2018.
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Associations between patterns of sexual initiation, sexual partnering, and reproductive health outcomes from adolescence to early adulthood. Kahn N, Halpern CT. (2018). Archives of Sexual Behavior.
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Experiences of vaginal, oral, and anal sex from adolescence to early adulthood among populations with physical disabilities in the United States. Kahn N, Halpern CT. (2018). Journal of Adolescent Health., 62(3), 294-302.
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School support as structural HIV prevention for adolescent orphans in western Kenya. Cho H, Mbai I, Luseno W, Hobbs M, Halpern C, Hallfors DD (2018). Journal of Adolescent Health., 62(1), 44-51.
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Our Buddies, Ourselves: The Role of Sexual Homophily in Adolescent Friendship Networks. S Trinh, J Lee, C Halpern, J Moody (2018). Child development.

Adherence to gender-typical behavior and high frequency substance use from adolescence into young adulthood. A Wilkinson, P Fleming, C Halpern, A Herring, K Harris (2018). Psychology of men & masculinity, 19(1), 145-155.