Janine M. Jurkowski,Ph.D.,M.P.H. Assistant Professor Social Behavior and Community Health Address: Department of Health Policy, Management, & Behavior School of Public Health One University Place Rensselaer, New York 12144 Phone: (518) 402-0420 Fax: (518) 402-0414 E-mail: jjurkowski@albany.edu

HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

“I went to college with the goal to study biology, but eventually petitioned the university academic committee to create my own interdepartmental major of health and nutrition, which gave me a multidisciplinary perspective of health. Once in my MPH program, I realized my interests were more focused on the social and behavioral aspects of public health and community-based public health.”

WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH?

“I am passionate because I believe in working towards equality through health. Health plays a central role in human life and society. It influences opportunities for improving social conditions. There are many historical and current issues of health disparities that I believe need to be addressed in public health with the idea for justice in mind.”

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN YOUR FIELD?

“I was motivated to go into this specific career path by my interest in the cultural, social and environmental aspects of public health and the fact that I enjoy conducting research. I am fascinated by the methodological challenges of this type of research.”

Education:

• Post-Doctoral Fellow, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003-2004
• Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences 2003
• M.P.H., Boston University School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Promotion, 1998
• B.A., University of Rochester, Health and Nutrition, 1995
  

Courses Frequently Taught:

• HPM 521: Family and Community Health
• HPM 525: Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
• HPM 620: Health Disparities

Research Interests:

Dr. Jurkowski's current research focuses on social and cultural factors’ influence health care utilization among Latinas, migrant seasonal farmworker health, and evaluation of a stroke awareness media campaigns. Dr. Jurkowski uses both quantitative and qualitative and community-based research methods to study the factors that contribute to disparities in health and health care among minority populations.

Current Research:

Dr. Jurkowski's current research focuses on social and cultural factors influence health care utilization among Latinas and evaluation of a stroke awareness media campaign. Dr. Jurkowski uses both quantitative and qualitative and community based research methods as well as a participatory action research approach to study the factors that contribute to disparities in health and health care among minority populations.

Selected Publications:

Jurkowski J.M., Maniccia, D.M., Samuels, S., Spicer, D., Dennison, B. (Accepted). Factors vontributing to swareness of the necessity to vall 911 for dtroke dymptoms in Upstate, NY. Preventing Chronic Disease.

Heck, J.E.; Franco, R.; Jurkowski, J.M. Sheinfeld-Gorin, S. (Accepted). Awareness of genetic testing for cancer among United States Hispanics: the role of acculturation. Community Genetics.

Jurkowski, J.M. & Paul-Ward, A. Photovoice with vulnerable populations: addressing disparities in health promotion among people with intellectual disabilities. Accepted. Health Promotion Practice.

Jurkowski, J.M. (2006). Nativity and cardiovascular disease screening practices. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health,8(4), 339-46.

Jurkowski, J.M. (2006). Latino Health. In G. Albrecht (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Disability, 5 vols. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Jurkowski, J.M. and Johnson, T.P. (2005). Acculturation and cardiovascular disease screening practices among Mexican Americans living in Chicago. Ethnicity & Disease,15(3), 411-417.

Rimmer, J.H., Riley, B., Wang, E., Rauworth, A., and Jurkowski, J. M. (2004). Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities: barriers and facilitators. American Journal of Preventive Medicine,26(5), 419-425

Janine M. Jurkowski. (2003). Cardiovascular disease behaviors among Latinas, non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white women. Dissertation Abstracts International, DAI-B 64/03, p. 1206.

Levy, S.R., Baldyga, W., and Jurkowski, J.M. (2003). Developing community health promotion interventions: selecting partners and fostering collaboration. Journal of Health Promotion Practice,4(3), 314-322

Selected Invited Presentations:

Jurkowski, JM. Latino Health Disparities: Social and Cultural Dimensions of Health Care Utilization. March 26, 2006. Center for Social and Demographic Analysis. Lecture Series. University at Albany. Albany, NY.

Jurkowski, JM. Social and Cultural Determinants of Health and Health Care Utilization. March 15, 2007 17 th Annual Diversity Conference. Division of Counseling Psychology, SUNY Albany.

Jurkowski, JM. Results from a Qualitative Study: Social and Cultural Determinants of Health. March 5, 2007 SUNY Albany. Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities Retreat.

Jurkowski, JM Health Care Disparities. Albany Medical College Public Health Lecture Series January 17, 2007 Albany Medical College

Jurkowski, JM. Latino Immigrant Health. T2B2 November 17, 2005. SUNY Albany School of Public Health. Albany, NY. Live national satellite broadcast.

Jurkowski, JM. Latino Health. CSDA invited presentation November 11, 2005. SUNY Albany. Albany, NY.

Jurkowski, JM. Health Disparities from an Academic Researcher's Perspective. New York State Minority Health Council meeting. August 25, 2005. Albany, NY.

Jurkowski, JM. Using Focus Groups and Photovoice to Understand Health Beliefs and Priorities among Latino Adults with I/DD. Mary E. Switzer Seminar. National Institute for Disability Research and Rehabilitation. Washington, DC. May 2-3, 2005.

Jurkowski, JM Addressing Health Disparities through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Participatory Action Research Workshop, NIH Export Center for Health Disparities in Small Cities. Workshop Series. SUNY Albany. Albany, NY February 17, 2005.

Selected Conference Presentations:

Ramos, B.M., Rodriguez R, Friedlander, M.L., Rodriguez- Albert, I.V., Lenz, P, & Jurkowski, J.M. (November 8, 2006). Enhancing cultural competence to address healthcare disparities in Latino communities: A culture immersion program for future healthcare professionals. American Public Health Association’s 134th Annual Meeting. Boston, MA.

Jurkowski, J.M. Ramos, B.M., Smith, D., Dorch, E. Williams, D., Rodriguez, R. De La Camara, M., Walston, B. Williamson, E (November 6, 2006). Building Community Capacity to Address Racial/Ethnic Disparities. American Public Health Association’s 134th Annual Meeting. Boston, MA

Ramos, B., Betancourt, D., Jurkowski, J., Dewar, D. Addressing Health Disparities for Older Latinos in a Rural Community: Strategies to Overcome Systemic and Cultural Barriers to Health Education. Paper presented at the 59 thAnnual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. Dallas, TX. November 2006.

Jurkowski, J.M. & Rivera, Y. (December 12, 2005) Health Beliefs among urban Latina Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities. American Public Health Asssociation’s 133 rd Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.

Jurkowski, J.M. & Rivera, Y. (December 13, 2005) Health Beliefs and Knowledge of Aging Latino Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. American Public Health Asssociation's 133rd Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.

Jurkowski, J.M. & Rivera, Y. (December 12, 2005) Health Beliefs among urban Latina Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities. American Public Health Asssociation's 133rd Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.

Jurkowski, J.M. (May 5-7, 2005) Use of Qualitative Methods and Participatory Research for Understanding Health among Urban Latinos with Disabilities. First International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. Urbana, IL.

Jurkowski, J.M. (March 1-3, 2005). Health Perceptions and Knowledge of Health Choices among Adult Mexican Americans with Intellectual Disabilities. Center for Disease Control and Prevention Chronic Disease Conference. Atlanta, GA.

Grants:

Role: Principal Investigator
Project: Psychometric Properties of a Survey on Factors that Influence Latina Health Care Utilization
Source: Center for Social and Demographic Analysis Junior Faculty Award
Time Period: December 1, 2006-September, 2007.
Total Funding: $6,267

Role: Principal Investigator
Project: Social and Cultural Determinants of Health Care Utilization among Latinos
Source: Faculty Research Awards Program.
Time Period: April 13, 2006-April 14, 2007.
Total Funding: $9,964

Role: Principal Investigator
Project: Evaluation of a NY State Department of Health Stroke Awareness Media Campaign.
Source: CDC via Health Research Inc.
Time Period: January 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.
Total Funding: $272,310

Role: Principal Investigator
Project: A Qualitative Study of Latina Social and Cultural Beliefs Related to Health Care Utilization.
Source: Research Development Award. NIH Export Center, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities for Health Disparities in Small Cities
Time Period: April, 2005-June, 2006.
Total Funding: $6,500.

Role: Principal Investigator
Project: In Their Own Words: Social Ecological Approach to Understanding Health among Latinos with I/DD, their Caregivers, Agency Staff and Community Leaders.
Source: National Institute for Disability Research and Rehabiliation, Mary E. Switzer Merit Fellowship.
Time Period: July 2004-September, 2005
Total Funding: $45,000

Awards:

2006-2007 CSDA Junior Researcher Award for $6,267 for research titled: “Psychometric Properties of a Survey on Factors that Influence Latina Health Care Utilization”.