Dr. Andrew Owusu is a professor in the Department of Health & Human Performance (HHP) at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and the current graduate program director for the public health area at HHP. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) with a BA in Biology. Post-graduation from Alabama, he pursued an MS.Ed. in Sports Administration and Management before completing his Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Health Promotion.

Over the years, he has taught courses including, but not limited to Foundations in Health Education, Community and Public Health, Epidemiology, Bioethical Issues,  Measurement and Evaluation, Data Management in Public Health, Health Promotion and, Nation’s Health. His research interests include adolescent health risk behaviors such as bullying, sexual risk-taking, substance use and, implementation of school health policies and practices.

In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Owusu served as Ghana’s country coordinator for the following initiatives between 2007-2020: 1) Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey [Ghana GSHS] and 2) Ghana Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey [Ghana G-SHPPS]. The GSHS focuses on the assessment of health risk behaviors and protective factors among junior and senior high school students. The G-SHPPS focuses on the assessment of health policy implementation at the school level. MTSU, Ghana Education Service (GES), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) carry out the latter initiatives in a collaborative manner.

Outside of academics, Dr. Owusu is a United States of America Track and Field (USATF) certified coach and has assisted MTSU's Track and Field teams as a coach since 2004, under MTSU's legendary coach, Dean Hayes (RIP 2021). MTSU athletes coached by Owusu have earned a total of 16 NCAA D1 All-American honors. Outside the context of the university, Owusu served as a national team coach for Ghana at multiple Olympic Games; 2012 (London, UK), 2016 (Rio, Brazil), and, 2020 (Tokyo, Japan). At the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, Owusu helped coach Ghana's 4X100m men's relay team to the finals while setting a new national record in the process. Ghana was the only African team to reach the final in the men's 4X100m relay. Dr. Owusu's accomplishments as an athlete are equally as impressive. He is a 3-Time Olympian (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004); a 2-Time World Championships finalist (Athens 1997, Paris 2003); the 1996 NCAA Division I National Champion in the long jump (indoor); an 8-Time All American in the long and triple jump (1992-1996); the 1998 Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist; 4-Time African Champion in the Triple Jump (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003); the current African Championships Triple Jump Record Holder (1998-present). In 2006, Dr. Owusu was awarded the Grand Medal of the Republic of Ghana for service to the nation.

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Selected Peer Reviewed Publications:

• F. Baiden, J. Amankwah & A. Owusu (2020) Sexting among high school students in a metropolis in Ghana: an exploratory and descriptive study, Journal of Children and Media, 14:3, 361-375, DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2020.1719854.
• Noerper, T., Colson, J., & Owusu, A. (2020). P13 Social Network Analysis of Urban Church Food Pantries. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(7, Supplement), S21-S22. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.04.058.
• Bowman, AS, Owusu, A, Trueblood, AB, Bosumtwi-Sam, C. Impact of school health management committees on health services delivery in Ghana: A national level assessment. Int J Health Plann Mgmt. 2018; 33: e821–e832. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2540.
• Osei, M., Ali, M., Owusu, A., & Baiden, F. (2018). Skin-lightening practices among female high school students in Ghana. Public Health, 155, 81-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2017.11.016.
• Asiseh, F., Owusu, A., & Quaicoe, O. (2017). An Analysis of Family Dynamics on High School Adolescent Risky Behaviors in Ghana. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 26(5), 425-431. doi: 10.1080/1067828X.2017.1322019.
• Ohene S.O., Johnson K., Atunah-Jay S., Owusu A., Borowsky I. Sexual and physical violence victimization among senior high school students in Ghana: Risk and protective factors. (Journal of Social Science and Medicine) Published Dec 2015.  
• Dune M., Bosumtwi-Sam C., Sabates R., Owusu A. Peer relations, Violence and School Attendance: Analyses of Bullying in Senior High Schools in Ghana. (Journal of Development Studies) Published July, 2012.  
• Owusu A., Hart P., Oliver B., Kang M. The Association Between Bullying and Psychological Health Among Senior High School Students In Ghana, West-Africa. (Journal of School Health) Published May 2011.  
• Dune M., Bosumtwi-Sam C., Sabates R., Owusu A. School Violence and School Attendance:  Analyses of Bullying in Senior High Schools in Ghana. Create Pathways to Access Research Monograph No. 41. July 2010  
• Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P., & Weatherby N. Measuring Nutritional Intake of Adolescents in Ghana, West Africa (International Electronic Journal of Health Education) Published July 2007.  
• Stultz, E., N. Weatherby, A. Owusu and A. Weaver. Pre-1950s Housing in Tennessee Counties Puts Children at Risk for Lead Poisoning. Tennessee Medicine 95 (10): 425-428, 2002

Selected Technical Reports:

• Kwankye S., Badasu D., & Owusu A. (2012). Country Report: Examining Barriers to Condom Use in Ghana, West Africa. Submitted to Ghana AIDS Commission. (Partnership: Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) and Middle Tennessee State University [MTSU])  
• Owusu A. Country Report: 2009 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey. Published December 2009 at http://www.cdc.gov/gshs/countries/africa/ghana.htm.    
• Owusu A., Kann L., & Riley L. 2008 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey Results –  Senior High School Students. Published Jan 2009. Data Files: http://cdc.gov/gshs/countries/africa/ghana.htm Partnership: Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO).
• Owusu A., Kann L., & Riley L. 2007 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey Results – Junior High School Students. Published Jan 2008. Data Files: http://cdc.gov/gshs/countries/africa/ghana.htm Partnership: Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO).  

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Selected Presentations:

• Owusu, A., Bowman, A. S., Bosumtwi-Sam, C., Prairie, T., Trueblood, A., & Flores, K. (2016). Adoption rates of guidelines for minimum health services delivery among schools in Ghana*. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Denver CO. *Project/Study recognized by APHA as part of “Innovative Global Health Programs” https://apha.confex.com/apha/144am/meetingapp.cgi/Session/48466  
• Owusu A., Bosumtwi-Sam C. (November 2014). A Different Kind of Partnership: Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS). Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.  
• Harvey M. & Owusu A. (November 2014). Relationship Between Bullying and Substance Use Among Senior High School Students in Ghana, West-Africa. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.  
• Oliver B., Owusu A., Bates, D., & Hamilton G. (November 2014). Post-resettlement health services: An exploration of perceptions and behaviors of women in the Bhutanese refugee community. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.  
• Sowah S., Owusu A., Kwakye S., & Badasu D. (November 2013). Ghana, West-Africa: National level data on barriers to condom use. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts.    
• Owusu A., Cole R., Oliver B. D., & Dorsey A. (November 2013). An Examination of Predictors of Barriers to Condom use Among Ghanaians. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts.  
• Sowah S., Owusu A., Oliver BD., Wright R., Cole AR., Dickson P., et al. (2012). Malaria infection and Bed net efficacy among Ghanaian high school students. Paper presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.  
• Cole, AR, Owusu, A., Mahoney-Dickson, P., Oliver, BD, Sowah, S. (2012)  The Association       Between Perception of Health Status and the Use of the Internet for Health Research (2012). Presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention and Exposition, Boston, MA.  
• Mahoney-Dickson P., Sowah S., Owusu A., Cole A.R., Oliver B.D., Thomason-Shrader L., et al. (2012). Negative Outcomes Associated with Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking Among College Students Paper presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.  
• Oliver BD., Owusu A., Dickson P., Cole AR., & Sowah S. (November 2011). Examining the Relationship between Substance Use and Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors Among High School Students in Ghana, West-Africa. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.  
• Owusu A., Ohene S., Wright R., & Oliver BD., (November, 2011). My Parents Use Tobacco and/or Drink: What about Me? Examining Parental Substance Use Behavior and that of Senior High School Students in Ghana, West Africa. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.  
• Oliver BD. & Owusu A. (March, 2011). Flu/H1N1: Does Perceived Severity of Personal Infection Really Matter? Poster presentation at American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.   
• Oliver BD. & Owusu A. (March, 2011). An Analysis of Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Ghanaian Adolescents. Poster presentation at American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.   
• Cole A., Owusu A., Mahoney-Dickson P., Sowah S &. Oliver B.D. (April, 2011). The Effect Of Bullying on Mental Health When Considering Weight Status Among Tennessee High School Students. Poster presentation at the 2011 MTSU Scholars Week, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Owusu A., Hart P., Oliver B., Kang M. (Nov, 2010). Association Between Bullying and Psychological Health Among Senior High School Students In Ghana, West-Africa. Paper presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.  
• Hart, P. D., Owusu, A., Barreira, T. V., & Kang, M. (May, 2010). Recommended levels of physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among adolescents in Ghana. Presented at the 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada.  
• Oliver B., Owusu A., & Anders M. (April, 2010). Examining the Association Between Loneliness and Protective Factors Among Ghanaian Adolescents. Paper presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Conference, Indianapolis, IN.  
• Castillo A., Hart P., Oliver B., Lee B., White K., & Owusu A. (March, 2010). H1N1: Knowledge-Attitudes-Behaviors-Barriers Among MTSU Students. Poster presentation at the MTSU Annual Scholars Week, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Lee B., Oliver B., Hart P., Castillo A., White K., & Owusu A. (March, 2010). H1N1 Flu: Effect of Perceived Severity/Susceptibility on Hand-Washing Habits. Poster presentation at the MTSU Annual Scholars Week, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Campbell K., Weatherby N.L., & Owusu A. Examining intention to use condoms among adolescents in Ghana. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.  
• Owusu A., Weatherby N.L., & Campbell K. Evaluation of the School Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE) Program in Ghana, West-Africa. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.  
• Oliver B., Owusu A., & Anders M.(November, 2009). Examining the Association Between Loneliness and Protective Factors Among Ghanaian Adolescents. Poster presentation at the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Owusu A., Anders M., & Oliver B. (November, 2009). Relationship Between Protective Factors and Suicidal Ideation in Ghanaian Adolescents. Poster presentation at the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Owusu A., Alexander R., Weatherby N. L., Kang M (October, 2008). The Effect of Parental Monitoring on High Risk Sexual Activity Among Middle School Students in Four African Countries. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA..  
• Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P., Bosumtwi-Sam C., Campbell K., Kann L., & Riley L (November 2008). HIV/AIDS Risk Behaviors & Prevention Factors among Junior Secondary School Students in Ghana: Baseline Data from the 2007 Ghana GSHS. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA.  
• Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P., Bosumtwi-Sam C., Campbell K. (March, 2008) Hiv/Aids Risk Behaviors & Prevention Factors Among Junior Secondary School Students In Ghana. Poster presentation at Middle Tennessee University (MTSU) Annual Scholars Week. Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Owusu A. & Bosumtwi-Sam. Harmonizing the Implementation of the Global School-Based Student Health Survey with DANIDA School Hygiene Program. Presented at the Water Supply, Sanitation and Health in local communities and schools in West Africa Conference. Sogakofe, Ghana.  
• Owusu, A., Kang, M., Barreira, T. V., & Weatherby, N. L. (May, 2007). Reliability of performance score: Addressing the ideal number of attempts during Triple Jump Competition. Paper presented at the ACSM National Conference, New Orleans, LA.  
• Owusu, A., Weatherby, N. L., Otto, S., & Kang, M. (March, 2007). Validation of a classroom response system for use with a health risk assessment survey. Paper presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Conference, Baltimore, MD.   Owusu A. & Whitehill B. (February 2007). Track and Field: Keeping the Sport Honest: IAAF Anti-Doping Program. Presented at the Health, Science, and Sport in Africa Conference. Athens, OH.  
• Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P. & Weatherby N. (February 2007). Global School-Based Student Health Survey: Monitoring Health and Physical Activity Behavior of Africa’s Youth. Presented at the Health, Science, and Sport in Africa Conference. Athens, OH.
• Owusu A. and Hayes J. (October 2006). Using Brain Based Principles of Learning to Maximize the impact of a response System. Presentation at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual International Convention, Dallas, TX.  
• Owusu A. and Hayes J. (April 2006).  Classroom Response Systems: A Clear Solution for Making Your Classroom Interactive and Grading Easier. Presentation at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Salt Lake City, UT.  
• Owusu A. and Hayes J. (April 2006).  Beyond “Jeopardy”: Getting the most out of Classroom Response Systems. Presentation at the National Instructional Technology Conference, Murfreesboro, TN.  
• Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P., Weatherby N., and Colson J. (June 2005).  Assessing Reliability and Validity of an Acculturated Food Frequency Questionnaire with McNemar’s Test. (June, 2005). Poster presentation at the annual ACSM Annual Meeting, Nashville TN.
• Weatherby, N., Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P. (June 2004). Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Program: Evaluation. Presented at the Advisory Committee meeting of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Nashville, TN.
• Weatherby, N., Owusu A., O’Hara Murdock P. (February 2004). Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (TNCLPPP) Risk Assessment . TN State Health Department Conference, Nashville, TN. 2004 ().
• Stultz, E.S., Owusu A., Weaver A., Weatherby N. L. (November 2001). Evaluation of the Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Poster presentation at the annual TAPEHRD meeting, Jackson, TN, Nov. 9, 2001.

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• MTSU President Recognition (2008): Recognized university President during annual faculty meeting as a faculty member engaged in significant international research/partnership
• Featured in the 2006-2008 MTSU President’s Biennial Report (pg.11)
• National [Ghana] Award: Presidential Award, Ghana, West Africa. Grand Medal recipient for service to country in the area of sports

Track and Field:

• 8-Time All-American (Long Jump & Triple Jump)
• 2012 London Olympic Games, Team Ghana Leader and Track and Field Coach (Long jump)
• 3-Time Olympian as a competitor (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004)
• 2-Time Track and Field (Triple Jump) World Championships Finalist (1997, 2003)
• 1998 Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist (Triple Jump)
• 1996 NCAA D1 National Indoor Champion (Long Jump)
• 4-Time African Champion (Triple Jump)
• Current African Championships [1998] Triple Jump Record Holder (17.23m)

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