Manoj Sharma

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Professor and Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Health
Expertise: Health behavior research, Stress-coping, Integrative health (mind-body interventions), Obesity prevention

Biography

Manoj Sharma is a professor and chair of the Social and Behavioral Health Department in UNLV's School of Public Health. His research interests are in developing evidence-based health promotion interventions, stress-coping, obesity prevention, integrative health, and community-based participatory research.

Sharma, a public health physician, is a master certified health education specialist with certification from the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing.  In his career, spanning over 30 years, he has trained or taught over 6,000 health professionals at 13 national and international universities. 

He is also a prolific researcher who has published more than a dozen books, over 340 peer-reviewed research articles, and over 450 other publications. Sharma is ranked in the top one percentile of scientists globally from 176 subfields by the prominent academic journal Elsevier. He has been awarded several prestigious honors, including the American Public Health Association’s J. Mayhew Derryberry Award, which honors outstanding contributions to health education research theory and recognizes outstanding behavioral scientists, as well as the organization's Mentoring Award and Integrative, Complementary and Traditional Health Practices Impact Award.

Education

  • MBBS, University of Delhi
  • Ph.D., Preventive Medicine (Public Health), The Ohio State University

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Manoj Sharma In The News

Practicing Moderation (Alobha) on the Spiritual Path
The Daily Guardian
We all know that excess (atishaya in Sanskrit) of anything is bad, yet we indulge in excessive pursuits of pleasurable activities. For example, excessive eating at a buffet, excessive accumulation of wealth, excessive work to get fame, excessive gossiping, and so on. What happens with excess? Eventually, it leads to pain either in the short term or the long term. For example, if we overeat, we may, in the short term, have abdominal discomfort. If we continue excessive eating, in the long term, it can lead to us becoming overweight and obese. Hence, all this excess is a barrier on the path of living a harmonious life with nature and thus in our spiritual journey. It ultimately robs us of peace of mind and causes dissatisfaction. Excess of anything leads to raga (likes) and dvesha (dislikes) which are detrimental to the path of the development of our consciousness. How to avoid excess in our actions?
Is taking daily aspirin a good idea?
Indica News
In 1988, a classic double-blind randomized controlled study of aspirin and carotene was conducted among 22,000 American male physicians of the ages 40-84 years. The study provided evidence for a 44% drop in heart attacks for participants who took aspirin. As a result, aspirin was taken by many people over the age of 40 years around the world for primary prevention of heart attacks, many of whom were not even prescribed this drug by their healthcare providers. However, 20 years later, in 2018, many studies reversed this recommendation and only advocated it for secondary prevention or for those who have had a heart attack or stroke.  This message needs to be conveyed to people who have not had a heart attack or stroke and still think that daily intake of aspirin is beneficial.
Transcending possessiveness (Aparigraha)
The Daily Guardian
Possessiveness (or parigraha in Sanskrit) has three dimensions. First, is the ownership of objects, things, money, and other materials. Second, is the controllability in relationships particularly close ones such as with spouse, children, friends, and so on. Third, is the controllability that also extends to possessiveness about power by those in positions of power. There is a rich literature in Indian philosophy on possessiveness and how to transcend it (aparigraha). It entails keeping the desire for possessions just appropriate to one’s life stage. It involves self-restraint so as not to harm others and developing a sense of charity (dana).
Is Stress Causing You Sleeplessness?
India Currents
Dr. Manoj Sharma, a Professor of Social and Behavioral Health answers queries on sleeplessness, its possible reasons and the ways to combat it.
All Manoj Sharma In The News

Articles Featuring Manoj Sharma

UNLV Newsmakers 2022: October
Scarlet and Gray, “REB's Glitter Squad”, Lester Cruz and Isabel Ferguson, take pictures and hype up students and families during the October 2022 homecoming football game.
Campus News | November 8, 2022

A collection of news stories highlighting UNLV students and faculty who made headlines locally, regionally, and internationally.

All Articles Featuring Manoj Sharma