Jill Denson, PhD

Education

BSW, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
MSW, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
PhD, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Professional Activities

Dr. Jill Denson is a research assistant professor at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She serves as director of the UW Prevention Research Center, engaging researchers, community members, and translational partners in expanding community-based prevention research and health promotion to improve the health of women, infants, and families. Dr. Denson is passionate about maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and health equity, with a focus on examining how social and structural drivers affect health outcomes. Dr. Denson’s research interests are rooted in collaborating with community partners to address health disparities through community-engaged research. She is particularly interested in building robust community partnerships and centering the voices of those who are marginalized through capacity building and innovative research strategies.

Clinical Interests

Denson is interested in maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and health equity. She is particularly interested in developing programs, in building robust community partnerships, and in empowering the voices of those who are marginalized.

Research Interests

Denson’s research interests are rooted in collaborating with community partners to address health disparities through community-based participatory research. Her research utilizes group concept mapping to understand how social and structural determinants affect health in community settings. In her role as director and principal investigator of the UWPRC, she leads efforts to conduct high-quality applied health promotion and disease prevention research in maternal and child health with a focus on health equity.