JaNelle Ricks, DrPH, MPA

Dr. Ricks is a behavioral scientist and health equity advocate with training in health communication and policy. She seeks to understand and address social and structural influences on the sexual and reproductive health of racially minoritized, sexual and gender minority, adolescent and economically vulnerable populations. Across the sexual and reproductive health spectrum, her work is concentrated in three focal areas: STI/HIV prevention, the impact of trauma on engagement in health behavior and access to contraception and abortion care. She uses mixed methods, with an emphasis on qualitative methodology, to develop and test interventions. 

sexual and reproductive health, STI/HIV prevention, reproductive justice, contraceptive use, health equity, social determinants, sexual and gender minority health, racial/ethnic minority health, adolescent health

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Behavioral Science and Health Education, Emory University, 2016
• DrPH, Behavioral Health, University of Kentucky, 2013
• MPA, Health Policy, Ohio University, 2010
• BS, Public Relations, Ohio University, 2004

• PUBHHBP 3510: Role of Behavior in Public Health
• PUBHHBP 7520: Community Health Assessment
• PUBHHBP 7532: Program Evaluation in Public Health
• PUBHHBP 7542: Settings and Special Populations in Health Promotion
• PUBHHBP 7564: A Public Health Approach to Adolescent Health