2022 Judy K. Black Award Winning Paper
"Reasons for Purchasing Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Online"
Authors: Jessica King Jensen, Anna Bilic, Kayla Rebentisch, Julie W Merten
Jessica King Jensen, PhD
Department of Health & Kinesiology
University of Utah
Jessica King Jensen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health & Kinesiology at the University of Utah and an Affiliate Member of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Dr. Jensen received her BS (2007) and MS (2008) in Health Education and PhD in Public Health (2016) from the University of Florida, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in tobacco regulatory science at Wake Forest School of Medicine (2019).
Dr. Jensen’s research evaluates tobacco policies and interventions, motivated by themes of social justice and equity. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death; a legal substance that, when used as intended, kills half of those who use it. Rates of use and the associated health outcomes are disproportionately high among people with disabilities, people living in poverty, LGBTQ+ populations, and racial and ethnic minority populations. Dr. Jensen’s goal is to inform policies that equitably reduce tobacco use and the associated negative health outcomes.
Dr. Jensen has been awarded over $1M in extramural funding as PI to support her research. Ongoing studies include examining how cigar pack policies influence use among sociodemographic and use groups and evaluating the impact of a peer health coaching program designed to prevent e-cigarette and cannabis use among college students.
Outside of work, Dr. Jensen enjoys exploring the outdoors, keeping her plants alive, and cheering for the Florida Gators.
