The journal, Health Education & Behavior named Dr. Rachel Shelton, assistant professor of sociomedical sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, as an associate editor. Dr. Shelton will join the editorial board this summer.

[Photo: Dr. Rachel Shelton]

Dr. Shelton is a social and behavioral researcher with expertise in cancer prevention and control and health disparities. Her current research focuses on understanding aspects of social context to improve population health and specifically relates to how interpersonal, structural, and sociocultural factors influence preventive health behaviors that are associated with cancer and obesity; and developing, disseminating and sustaining community-based and health systems interventions to reduce the risk of cancer and obesity. She was recently awarded a five-year Mentored Research Scholar Grant through the American Cancer Society to examine how interpersonal relationships and communication between patients, providers, and family members influence treatment decisions and health outcomes among colon cancer patients. Dr. Shelton teaches courses in Intervention Mapping and Dissemination/Implementation Science.

The journal, which is published bi-monthly, provides empirical research, case studies, program evaluations, literature reviews, and discussions of theories of health behavior and health status, as well as strategies to improve social and behavioral health.