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Jennifer Piatt.
IU Bloomington

Jennifer Piatt

School of Public Health

Expert Bio

Jennifer Piatt is an associate professor at the School of Public Health-Bloomington and Kinsey Institute Research Fellow. Her research focuses on empowering individuals to lead healthy lives through evidence-based and community-based wellness initiatives.

After completing a successful research fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at the University of Utah, Piatt shifted her line of research to examining sexual health for adults living with disabling conditions. To achieve excellence in research,  Piatt combines research interests with training and mentoring future scholars. This has led to the engagement in interdisciplinary meaningful research disseminated to scholars, practitioners and consumers.

She has authored over 50 scientific journal publications, 30 peer-reviewed research abstracts, 8 book chapters, delivered over 100 scientific research presentations, while securing over $1,000,000 in internal and external research funds. Piatt is consistently invited as a keynote speaker on the topic of sexual health and disability.

The World Health Organization defines community-based rehabilitation as comprehensive rehabilitation (outside of the traditional clinical hospital setting) that promotes maximum independence and full inclusion in all aspects of life. Piatt’s research is grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health bio-psycho-social model. The classification provides a conceptual framework that examines the individual’s health within a variety of contexts, including personal and environmental factors, body functions and structure, as well as activity and participation. Piatt’s research focuses on the participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health within community-based rehabilitation environments. 

Areas of Expertise

Sexual health for adults living with disabling conditions, social inclusion, specialized camps, adaptive sports, spinal cord injury.

Other Information

For more information about Piatt’s research team, visit the Community-Based Rehabilitation Team.

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