Thomas J Songer, PhD

Dr. Songer's research interests focus on applying epidemiologic methods to the evaluation of the economic, social, and health consequences of youth-onset diabetes, youth-onset obesity, and injuries. Dr. Songer's current work focuses on examining the costs and benefits of interventions in childhood diabetes treatment, and diabetes prevention.  Past projects have focused on identifying the contribution of health and disability to motor vehicle crashes and injuries, identifying the medical costs related to diabetes, the costs associated with child maltreatment, and evaluating the influence of economic factors in the lives of persons with diabetes.
Dr. Songer is an active teacher at the University of Pittsburgh.  He is the primary instructor for the graduate courses; Principles of Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2110) and Injury Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2670), and the undergraduate courses; Health Research Methods (PUBHLT 0431) and Intro to Epidemiology (PUBHLT 330).  Dr. Songer has also been an integral member of two groups setting the guidelines for training initiatives in injury and highway safety.
Dr. Songer has served on several NIH and CDC review panels, and is currently a steering committee member for the Injury Community Planning Group for the State of Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

1983    University of Notre Dame          BS
1986    University of Pittsburgh              MPH
1990    University of Pittsburgh              PhD
1991    London School of Economics  MSc

• Songer TJ, Haymond MW, Cuttler L, Glazner JE, Klingensmith GJ, Laffel LM, Zhang P, Hirst K.  Healthcare and associated costs related to type 2 diabetes in youth and adolescence: the TODAY clinical trial experience.  Pediatric Diabetes 20(6):702-711, Sep 2019.
• Shafer G, Songer TJ, Arena V, Kramer MK, Kriska A.  Participant food and activity costs in a translational diabetes prevention program. Transl Behav Med. Mar 2021, 11(2):351-358.
• Songer T, Stephens-Stidham S, Peek-Asa C, Bou-Saada I, Hunter W, Lindemer K, Runyan C.  Core Competencies for Injury and Violence Prevention.  Amer J Public Health  99:600-606, 2009
• Songer TJ, Dorsey RR.  High risk characteristics for motor vehicle crashes in persons with diabetes by age.  Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med  50:335-351, 2006   PMCID: PMC3217477
• Songer TJ, Fitzgerald SG, Rotko KA.  The Injury Risk to Wheelchair Occupants using Motor Vehicle Transportation.  Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med  48:115-129, 2004
• Songer TJ, Lave JR, Kamlet MS, Frederick S, Ness RB.  Preferences for Fertility in Women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.  Fertility & Sterility  81(5):1344-50, 2004
• Lave LB, Songer TJ, LaPorte RE.  Should Persons with Diabetes be Licensed to Drive Trucks? -- Risk Management.  Risk Analysis  13(3):327-334, 1993