About
Jennifer Richards, PhD, MPH is an Assistant Professor with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health. She is Diné (Ashiihi/Salt Clan) and Taos Pueblo on her mother’s side and Oglala Lakota on her father’s side. Since 2007, Dr. Richards has led various family and child health initiatives across the Great Plains and Southwest regions.
Dr. Richards’ research and service projects include early childhood home visiting, maternal and infant health surveillance, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention, youth diabetes prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, preconception health promotion, substance misuse prevention, and fatherhood empowerment. Dr. Richards’ research interests include the role of Indigenous birth support workers in improving maternal health outcomes in rural tribal communities. Jennifer obtained both her MPH in Maternal and Child Health and PhD in Health Behavior Health Promotion from the University of Arizona.
Active projects:
- Azhe’é Bidziil (Strong Fathers): Improving Outcomes Among Rural Fathers and their Families
- Hastiin Bidziil (Strong Man): A brief intervention to reduce substance use among young Native men
- Amá Bidziil (Strong Mothers): Developing a full circle doula program to improve maternal health outcomes
- Hozhó Horizons: Teen pregnancy/STI prevention
- Family Spirit Long Term Follow-Up