Kimberly Walker, PhD

Associations

• Health Outcomes & Behavior Program

Education & Training

Graduate:

• Indiana University, PhD - Mass Communication/Minor Public Health
• Ball State University, MA - Journalism

Broadly, I am interested in how the media in combination with interpersonal communication are harnessed to improve health behaviors and health behavior-decision making. I look at the communication and educational needs of vulnerable populations, in order to tailor communications that can affect positive change.Most of my work is concentrated on communication and understanding of oral health, oral cancer and HPV-related cancers among at-risk populations. Primary theories used in research include the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Theory of Reasoned Action.

• Walker KK, Kasting ML, Head KJ, Sturm L, Zimet GD. Indiana Parental Perceptions of the Acceptability of General and HPV-Specific State Vaccine Requirements. J Community Health. 2023 Jun.48(3):528-538. Pubmedid: 36745356. Pmcid: PMC9900532.
• Walker KK. Shining the Light on Altruism and Its Potential Impact for Behavior Change Strategies Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Health Commun. 2022 Jun.37(7):919-921. Pubmedid: 33427513.
• Hagen L, Fox A, O'Leary H, Dyson D, Walker K, Lengacher CA, Hernandez R. The Role of Influential Actors in Fostering the Polarized COVID-19 Vaccine Discourse on Twitter: Mixed Methods of Machine Learning and Inductive Coding. JMIR Infodemiology. 2022 Jan.2(1):e34231. Pubmedid: 35814809. Pmcid: PMC9254747.
• Hernandez RG, Hagen L, Walker K, O'Leary H, Lengacher C. The COVID-19 vaccine social media infodemic: healthcare providers' missed dose in addressing misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021 Sep.17(9):2962-2964. Pubmedid: 33890838. Pmcid: PMC8381841.
• Walker KK, Head KJ, Owens H, Zimet GD. A qualitative study exploring the relationship between mothers' vaccine hesitancy and health beliefs with COVID-19 vaccination intention and prevention during the early pandemic months. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021 Oct.17(10):3355-3364. Pubmedid: 34187310. Pmcid: PMC8437482.
• Walker KK, Owens H, Zimet G. The role of the media on maternal confidence in provider HPV recommendation. BMC Public Health. 2020 Nov.20(1):1765. Pubmedid: 33228674. Pmcid: PMC7684709.
• Walker KK, Owens H, Zimet G. "We fear the unknown": Emergence, route and transfer of hesitancy and misinformation among HPV vaccine accepting mothers. Prev Med Rep. 2020 Nov.20:101240. Pubmedid: 33294312. Pmcid: PMC7689543.
• Walker KK, Burns K. #13ReasonsWhy Health Professionals and Educators are Tweeting: A Systematic Analysis of Uses and Perceptions of Show Content and Learning Outcomes. Health Commun. 2019 Sep.34(10):1085-1094. Pubmedid: 29702002.
• Walker KK, Jackson RD, Sommariva S, Neelamegam M, Desch J. USA dental health providers' role in HPV vaccine communication and HPV-OPC protection: a systematic review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019 Jan.15(7-8):1863-1869. Pubmedid: 30620632. Pmcid: PMC6746472.
• Daley EM, Vamos CA, Thompson E, Vázquez-Otero C, Griner SB, Merrell L, Kline N, Walker K, Driscoll A, Petrila J. The Role of Dental Providers in Preventing HPV-Related Diseases: A Systems Perspective. J Dent Educ. 2019 Feb.83(2):161-172. Pubmedid: 30709991.
• Walker KK, Martínez-Mier EA, Soto-Rojas AE, Jackson RD, Stelzner SM, Galvez LC, Smith GJ, Acevedo M, Dandelet L, Vega D. Midwestern Latino caregivers' knowledge, attitudes and sense making of the oral health etiology, prevention and barriers that inhibit their children's oral health: a CBPR approach. BMC Oral Health. 2017 Mar.17(1):61. Pubmedid: 28253872. Pmcid: PMC5335721.
• Walker KK, Jackson RD. Lay public's use of a support group for general dental problems. Community Dent Health. 2016 Sep.33(3):189-194. Pubmedid: 28509514.
• Walker KK, Jackson RD, Maxwell L. The Importance of Developing Communication Skills: Perceptions of Dental Hygiene Students. J Dent Hyg. 2016 Oct.90(5):306-312. Pubmedid: 29118183.
• Walker KK. Cognitive and Affective Uses of a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Facebook Support Group. Health Commun. 2014 Sep.29(8):773-781. Pubmedid: 24171492.
• Walker KK. Bytes, and pixels and pieces of information. Health Commun. 2013 Dec.28(3):314-316. Pubmedid: 22823507.
• Walker K, Jackson R. College Students' Knowledge Concerning Oropharyngeal Cancer, Human Papillomavirus, and Intent Toward Being Examined. Health Care Manag (Frederick). 37(3):250-261. Pubmedid: 29933253.