Amber Hromi-Fiedler, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)Cards
Additional Titles
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Contact Info
About
Titles
Research Scientist in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Biography
Dr. Amber Hromi-Fiedler is currently a Research Scientist in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the Yale School of Public Health. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler obtained her B.A. in Psychobiology from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, in 1994. In 2002, she obtained her M.P.H. from the University of Connecticut and in 2007 she obtained her Ph.D. from the same university. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler specializes in community nutrition with emphasis in maternal and child health (MCH) both domestically and internationally. Internationally, she participated in the implementation of an MCH project with Save the Children in Uganda. In Ghana, with funding from the NIH, she developed and taught an intensive course to build the capacity of local Ghanaian health professional by enhancing their knowledge and skill of analyzing nutritional data using a public domain software available through the Centers for Disease Control. In Ghana, she also collaborated in the training of nutrition staff and the development of nutrition education materials for Liberian refugee caretakers at Buduburam Refugee Camp. The nutrition education materials focused on child nutrition as well as food safety and are currently being used and distributed to caretakers to improve nutritional outcomes among Liberian refugee children. She also conducted a postdoctoral summer fellowship in Ghana examining dietary practices, food availability, and nutritional status among Liberian refugees and Ghanaians living in and around Buduburam Refugee Camp. She continues to work in Ghana on infant and young child feeding projects. Domestically, she has taken the lead on the adaptation of the U.S. Food Security Scale, a national instrument to measure food insecurity, among pregnant Latina women. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler implemented one of the first longitudinal studies in Hartford, CT, examining the association between food insecurity during pregnancy and infant outcomes among Latinas. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler has also conducted feasibility research to develop a community-based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income pregnant Latinas. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler has presented her work at national and international conferences. Dr. Hromi-Fiedler has authored or co-authored many research articles in the fields of interest.
Appointments
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly
- Maternal and Child Health Promotion (MCHP) Program
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Yale School of Public Health
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of Connecticut (2007)
- MPH
- University of Connecticut (2002)
- BA
- Wheaton College (1994)
Research
Overview
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0003-4603-2836
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD
Josefa L. Martinez, PhD, MHS
Kathleen O'Connor Duffany, PhD, MEd
Katie Doucet
Nicola Hawley, PhD
Carol Oladele, PhD, MPH
Publications
2025
Validation of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELSCA) for use in Samoa
Tanawattanacharoen V, Choy C, Anesi T, Hromi-Fiedler A, Naseri T, Reupena M, Duckham R, Wang D, Hawley N, Ulberg C. Validation of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELSCA) for use in Samoa. Journal Of Nutrition 2025 PMID: 40127734, DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.03.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCaribbean Food Security ScaleFood Security ScaleFood insecurityInternal consistencySecurity ScaleDegree of food insecurityChildren's dietary intakeLongitudinal cohort studyRasch modelProtective factorsItem infit statisticsFocus group discussionsObesity riskInfit statisticsContent validityMaternal educationConstruct validityHealthy foodSamoan mothersSamoan womenCohort studyDietary intakeHousehold incomeGroup discussionsCohort characteristicsCommunity-Engaged Codesign and Piloting of the FOOD4MOMS Produce Prescription Program for Pregnant Latina Women
Segura-Pérez S, Tristán Urrutia A, He A, Hromi-Fiedler A, Gionteris K, Duffany K, Rhodes E, Pérez-Escamilla R. Community-Engaged Codesign and Piloting of the FOOD4MOMS Produce Prescription Program for Pregnant Latina Women. Current Developments In Nutrition 2025, 9: 104572. PMID: 40145018, PMCID: PMC11938078, DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.104572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsListening sessionsPrescription programPilot participantsSpecial Supplemental Nutrition ProgramMaternal health programsSupplemental Nutrition ProgramPilot study participantsHigh levels of satisfactionAdult pregnant womenElectronic benefits transfer cardsLow-income individualsRatings of benefitVegetable consumptionLevel of satisfactionHealth programsNutrition classesNutrition ProgramEating plentyCodesign phaseLow-income familiesThematic analysisStudy participantsPregnancy trimesterPregnant mothersPregnant womenContent Analysis of Austrian Print and Online Newspaper Coverage of Breastfeeding Over Two Decades
Zuckerhut B, Naderer B, Eberl J, Tolochko P, Lercher L, Jirovsky‐Platter E, Winzer E, Hromi‐Fiedler A, Pérez‐Escamilla R, Wakolbinger M. Content Analysis of Austrian Print and Online Newspaper Coverage of Breastfeeding Over Two Decades. Maternal And Child Nutrition 2025, e13795. PMID: 39783777, DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13795.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNewspaper coverageCoverage of breastfeedingExtensive media coveragePrint newspapersAustrian newspapersAustrian mediaMedia coverageNewspapersContent analysisEvent announcementsCommercial milk formulaPrintingSocial normsMediumBreastfeeding advocatesJournalistsBroadsheetSocial environmentTabloidsHealth benefits of breastfeedingGenreExclusive breastfeeding ratesPortrayalBenefits of breastfeedingCoverage
2024
Clients’ experiences and satisfaction with produce prescription programs in California: a qualitative evaluation to inform person-centered and respectful program models
Rhodes E, Pérez-Escamilla R, Okoli N, Hromi-Fiedler A, Foster J, McAndrew J, Duran-Becerra B, Duffany K. Clients’ experiences and satisfaction with produce prescription programs in California: a qualitative evaluation to inform person-centered and respectful program models. Frontiers In Public Health 2024, 12: 1295291. PMID: 38572012, PMCID: PMC10990041, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1295291.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription programClient experiencePerson-centeredFederally Qualified Health CentersFramework analysis approachQualified Health CentersImprove client experienceFocus group discussionsTreated with respectVegetable consumptionPerson-centrednessProgram usabilityHealth centersParticipants' program experiencesPositive experiencesGroup discussionsLife courseGift cardsPrescriptionParticipantsProgram designSatisfactionThemesProgram demandsFresh fruits
2023
Risk factors for household food insecurity in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network cohort study
Martinez-Brockman J, Hromi-Fiedler A, Galusha D, Oladele C, Acosta L, Adams O, Maharaj R, Nazario C, Nunez M, Nunez-Smith M, Pérez-Escamilla R, Group O. Risk factors for household food insecurity in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network cohort study. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1269857. PMID: 38074748, PMCID: PMC10702572, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269857.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort StudyCohort studyRisk factorsHousehold food insecurityPrevalence of HHFIPopulation-based longitudinal cohort studyBivariate analysisCaribbean Food Security ScaleSex stratified analysisImportant risk factorLongitudinal cohort studyPotential risk factorsCohort study dataYears of ageSelf-rated physical healthEnvironmental risk factorsCross-sectional analysisHFI statusPrimary outcomeMultivariable analysisSmoking statusFood insecuritySevere food insecurityOrdinal logistic regressionStratified analysisConsensus-building during the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) initiative in Samoa: A qualitative content analysis
Daiy K, Arslanian K, Choy C, Manuele-Magele A, Soti-Ulberg C, Hromi-Fiedler A, Hawley N, Pérez-Escamilla R. Consensus-building during the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) initiative in Samoa: A qualitative content analysis. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0001725. PMID: 37093783, PMCID: PMC10124882, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolicy recommendationsContent analysisFriendly InitiativeQualitative content analysisNational policyEvidence-based toolboxGovernment ministriesCountry contextMeeting notesBreastfeeding environmentCommittee processEmergent wayInductive approachLactation roomsInitiativesSpecific waysPolicyOverarching methodTopic of breastfeedingBBF processSamoaThemesSubthemesCommittee meetingsCommittee
2022
Barriers and Facilitators to Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in the Central Region of Ghana: Perceptions of Heath Care Providers
Hromi-Fiedler A, Sandow A, Pérez-Escamilla R, Segbedji C, Addo-Lartey A, Aryeetey R. Barriers and Facilitators to Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in the Central Region of Ghana: Perceptions of Heath Care Providers. Current Developments In Nutrition 2022, 6: 576. PMCID: PMC9193413, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac060.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung child feeding practicesBarriers/facilitatorsChild feeding practicesFeeding practicesIYCF counselingOptimal infantCare providersComplementary feeding practicesHeath care providersIndividual-level barriersMulti-level interventionsCross-cutting barriersBreastmilk insufficiencyMaternal hygieneIYCF knowledgeBreast problemsHealth facilitiesHome visitsPolicies/guidelinesCommunity-level characteristicsProvider supportIll healthProvider perspectivesOptimal IYCFLevel barriersInfant and Young Child Feeding Perceptions and Practices Among Caregivers Living in Three Districts in the Central Region of Ghana
Addo-Lartey A, Aryeetey R, Sandow A, Pérez-Escamilla R, Segbedji C, Hromi-Fiedler A. Infant and Young Child Feeding Perceptions and Practices Among Caregivers Living in Three Districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Current Developments In Nutrition 2022, 6: 6009499. DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac060.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExclusive breastfeedingFeeding recommendationsCaregiver practicesFoods/snacksNon-responsive feeding practicesComplementary feeding recommendationsCaregivers of childrenNight feedsResponsive feedingCaregivers' knowledgePersistent cryingSixth monthMeal frequencyFeeding practicesMethods FiftyIYCF counselingComplementary foodsHunger cuesStomach acheNew foodsInfantsCaregiversResults CaregiversEarly foodFamily foodImpact of prelacteal feeds and neonatal introduction of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Pérez‐Escamilla R, Hromi‐Fiedler A, Rhodes EC, Neves PAR, Vaz J, Vilar‐Compte M, Segura‐Pérez S, Nyhan K. Impact of prelacteal feeds and neonatal introduction of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Maternal And Child Nutrition 2022, 18: e13368. PMID: 35489107, PMCID: PMC9113480, DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13368.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsBF outcomesBreast milkNeonatal periodSystematic reviewProspective studyRisk factorsSuboptimal breastfeeding outcomesLate neonatal periodOnly prospective studiesSignificant risk factorsEarly introductionDays of lifeWeb of SciencePrelacteal feedsBF durationBreastfeeding outcomesWeeks postpartumInclusion criteriaPrelactealsStudy designEffective interventionsObserved associationsOutcomesFeeding studyCessationRisk factors for self‐reported insufficient milk during the first 6 months of life: A systematic review
Segura‐Pérez S, Richter L, Rhodes EC, Hromi‐Fiedler A, Vilar‐Compte M, Adnew M, Nyhan K, Pérez‐Escamilla R. Risk factors for self‐reported insufficient milk during the first 6 months of life: A systematic review. Maternal And Child Nutrition 2022, 18: e13353. PMID: 35343065, PMCID: PMC9113468, DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13353.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRisk factorsCaesarean sectionInsufficient milkSystematic reviewMaternal overweight/obesityStage II laborOverweight/obesityUnnecessary caesarean sectionsMultifactorial risk factorsMonths of lifeIncome countriesBreastfeeding initiationFormula supplementationEpidural anesthesiaOnset of lactationHigh-income countriesMaternity facilitiesBiomedical factorsHospital practiceBaby's behaviorProtective factorsReview protocolTen StepsMental healthMothers' interpretations
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Yale College
CommitteesCommittee MemberDetailsYale College Fulbright Grants committee member09/01/2018 - Presenthonor Hecht-Albert Global Health Pilot Innovation Award
Yale University AwardGlobal Health Leadership InstituteDetails06/01/2017United States
News
News
- May 17, 2023
Jennifer Mandelbaum keeps a hand in academia as a lecturer
- May 02, 2022
Conversation with Focus
- July 20, 2021
Yale School of Public Health Partnership with Mexico Leads to New Online Implementation Science Course
- April 19, 2021
Yale School of Public Health Launches Maternal Child Health Promotion Track
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