Laurel Jacobs, DrPH, MPH

Research Assistant Professor and Team Lead
Laurel Jacobs Headshot
(520) 626-2216
jacobsl@arizona.edu

Documents

Laurel Jacobs CV

My Expertise

As principal investigator and team lead for the RISE Team, I lead a portfolio of research and evaluation contracts spanning food systems, behavioral health and substance use, financial education, early care and education, and school wellness. My work focuses on community-engaged programming, research and evaluation, looking at how public health systems and policies affect the lives of individuals and families across Arizona and nationwide.

My Approach

I believe that effective programming, research, and evaluation must be rooted in the communities they’re meant to serve. I work alongside partners to support and enhance evaluation capacity that strengthens both the programs and the systems running them. I'm drawn to applied, equity-focused work that connects evidence to practice and helps partners and communities meaningfully use their data. Over the last two decades, I've learned that rigorous evaluation and real-world usefulness are interdependent, which is a challenge that I find deeply meaningful in my work.

Outside of work…

I enjoy dancing, travelling (preferably to any ocean), and curling up with my family around a good movie, show or book.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications and Abstracts

  1. Orzech, K. M., LeGros, T. A., Jacobs, L., Goodman, G., & Lang, R. (2023). Evaluating Physical Activity Resources to Support Health Equity in Arizona. The Journal of Extension, 61(3), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.61.03.07
  2. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Goodman G, Orzech K, Holmes E. A Systems Approach Helps Explain Significant Improvements in Local Wellness Policies among SNAP-Ed-Supported School Districts. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2020; 52(8): 766-774.
  3. Jacobs L, Orzech K, Goodman G, LeGros T, Martinez SH. Evaluating Factors for Success in Community Coalitions. Journal of Extension, 2020;58(1).
  4. LeGros T, Jones B, Jacobs L, Orzech K, Torbert K, Martinez SH. A Case Study of a New State Model for Assessing Local Wellness Policies. Journal of School Health, 2019 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12728.
  5. LeGros, T, Hartz, V, Jacobs, L. (2016) Reliability of a Kid's Activity and Nutrition Questionnaire for School-Based SNAP-Ed Interventions as Part of a Tiered Development Process. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2016.10.003.
  6. Kerna A, Frisvold G, Jacobs L, Farrell V, Houtkooper L, Misner S. Application of IMPLAN to Extension Programs: Economic Impacts of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed Spending. Journal of Extension. In press.
  7. McCullough L, Farrell V, Hartz V, LeGros T, Jacobs L, Misner S. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Elementary School Students had self-reported and observed behavior changes. Experimental Biology Conference; San Diego, California. April, 2016.
  8. McCullough, Farrell V, Hartz V, LeGros T, Jacobs L, Misner S. Positive Results of Single Lessons with Adult Learners of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed). Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior; San Diego, California. July, 2016.
  9. Misner S, LeGros T, Farrell VA, Hartz V, Jacobs L, Armstrong Florian T. Nutrition and Physical Activity Education among SNAP-Ed Eligible Middle School Students Reveals Disconnect between Knowledge and Behavior. Experimental Biology Conference; Boston Massachusetts. March, 2015.
  10. Kerna A, Frisvold G, Jacobs L, Farrell V, Houtkooper L, Misner S. The Economic Contribution Of The University Of Arizona Cooperative Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Spending To The State Of Arizona. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publication. 2015; April (az1662).
  11. Jacobs L, LeGros T, McCullough L, Farrell VA, Misner S. Developing an Integrated Program Design for SNAP-Ed Programming and Evaluation. Childhood Obesity Conference; San Diego, California. June, 2015.
  12. Jacobs L, Kerna A, Farrell VA, Frisvold G, Misner S. Economic Impacts of the UA Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed Program: An Application of IMPLAN. Childhood Obesity Conference; San Diego, California. June, 2015.
  13. Schachter KS, Ingram M, Jacobs L, Hafter H, De Zapien JG, Carvajal S. Developing an Action Learning Community Advocacy/Leadership Training Program for Community Health Workers and Their Agencies to Reduce Health Disparities in Arizona Border Communities. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice. 2014; Vol. 7, No. 2: 34-49.
  14. Bea JW, Jacobs L, Waits J, Hartz V, Martinez S, Standfast R, Farrell VA, Bawden M, Geiger M, Whitmer E, Misner S. Need for Specific Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Lessons for 4th and 5th Graders. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2014; Vol. 47, Issue 1: 36-43.
  15. Armstrong TA, Jacobs L, Martinez S, Bea JW, Farrell VA, Hartz V, Misner S. Change in Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors Among SNAP-Eligible 4th and 5th Grade Students: A Multi-County Study. Journal for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2014; Vol 46, No. 4, S183–S184.
  16. Cler L, Jacobs L, Farrell VA, Bailey A, Misner S. Teachers’ Successes and Barriers Providing Evidence-based Nutrition Education in Limited Resource Schools: Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties. Arizona Public Health Association Annual Conference; Phoenix, Arizona. April, 2014.
  17. Sabo SJ, Ingram M, Reinschmidt K, Schachter K, Jacobs L, Guernsey de Zapien J, Robinson L, Carvajal S. Predictors and a Framework for Fostering Community Advocacy as a Community Health Worker Core Function to Eliminate Health Disparities. American Journal of Public Health. 2013; Vol. 103, No. 7: pp. e67-e73.
  18. Bea JW, Martinez SH, Farrell VA, Armstrong-Florian T, Bawden M, Jacobs L, Misner S. Sugary Beverage Consumption, Not Water, Increases in Springtime Among Low-income Arizona 4th and 5th graders. Journal for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2013; Vol 45, No. 4, S29.
  19. Nurss E, Jacobs L, Going S, Bea JW, Farrell VA. Strategies from Teachers to Increase Participation in School-based Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed): Excerpts from a Pilot Study. Childhood Obesity Conference; San Diego, California. June, 2011.
  20. Jacobs L, Farrell VA, Reeves J, Ottenbacher H, Houtkooper L, Going S, Misner S. Education for SNAP Eligible Children: A Model for Sustainable Partnerships to Reduce Childhood Obesity. Research Frontiers in Nutritional Sciences Conference; Tucson, Arizona. October, 2009.
  21. Jacobs J, Guthrie B, Avila G, Jacobs L, Mickey-Colman N, Wilson AR, DiGiacomo R. Homeopathic Combination Remedy in the Treatment of Acute Childhood Diarrhea in Honduras. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006; Volume 12, Issue 8: 723-732.