Departmental Affiliations
Vanya Jones, PhD ’06, MPH, a health education researcher, employs social and behavioral science methods to create, implement, and evaluate behavior change programs.
Contact Info
Research Interests
program development; program evaluation; injury prevention; violence; health education; youth fighting; health behavior; urban youth; mentoring; parents; school health; older adults; older driver
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Experiences & Accomplishments
I work at the nexus of research and practice to reduce injuries by applying social and behavioral science theories and research methods to create, implement, and evaluate behavior change programs. My program of research and practice activities addresses both unintentional and intentional injuries among vulnerable populations of children, adolescents, and older adults. I have specific expertise in older driver research, youth development and violence prevention, child injury prevention, and community-engaged research.
Honors & Awards
Delta Omega, Honorary Society in Public Health, Alpha Chapter, 2020
JHU Health, Behavior and Society Departmental Teaching Award, 2017-18, 2018-19
Excellence in Teaching Recognition for Winter Institute 2016 and 2021, Fall First Term 2016-20
JHU SOURCE November 2013 Service Champion of the Month
JHU SOURCE 2013 Mentoring and Teaching Service Award
SOURCE Service-Learning Faculty Fellow, 2012-2013
Select Publications
These are publications that highlight that context is important to addressing behavior change (e.g., access to services and safety devices), and goes beyond research (e.g., randomized trials) to improve established structures (e.g., schools) for improvements in health and social outcomes .
Jones, V., Becote-Jackson, M., Parnham, T., Lewis, Q., Ryan, L.M. (2021). Violence Prevention Through Mentoring for Youth with Emergency Department Treated Peer-Assault Injuries. Pediatric: X doi:10.1016/j.ympdx.2021.100064
Kennedy, H., Jones V., Gielen A. (2019). Reported fire safety and first-aid amenities in Airbnb venues in 16 American cities. Injury Prevention. 25:328-330. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2018-042740
Jones, V., Johnson, R., Rebok, G., Gielen, A., Molnar, L.J., Pitts, S., DiGuiseppi, C., Hill, L., Strogatz, D., Mielenz, T., Eby, D., Li, G. (2020). Social support moderates the negative association between reduced driving and life satisfaction in older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology.39(11):1258-1626. doi:10.1177/0733464819884266.
Jones, V., Spin, P., Connor, K., Johnson, S. (2019). Are no and “no thanks” the same for school-based health center enrollment? Health Behavior and Policy Review. 6(1):101-106. doi:10.14485/HBPR.6.1.9
Jones, V., Shields, W., Ayyagari, R., Frattaroli, S., Gielen, A.C. (2018). Parents’ Descriptions of Home Injuries to Young Children: Implications for Prevention. JAMA Pediatrics. 172(12):1189-1190. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2781.