Dr. Joey Lightner is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master of Public Health with an emphasis in physical activity, and PhD in Kinesiology from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Lightner presents locally and nationally on topics related to public health and physical activity. Dr. Lightner’s research is focused on increasing physical activity for large populations. His current projects attempt to understand how to improve social relationships that may lead to improvements in physical activity behavior. In the past, Dr. Lightner has conducted studies on community capacity building, active transportation, LGBT health, health inequity, and several other areas. Dr. Lightner enjoys improv, Sporting KC matches, hiking, kayaking, SUP boarding, skydiving, and, of course, anything that has to do with physical activity.
Youth Engagement in Sport (2019), PI: Lightner, J.S. & Grimes, A.
Health and Human Services funded a multi-site physical activity and nutrition intervention to understand how social influences impacts physical activity and nutrition behavior. This two-year project was conducted at middle schools in Kansas City.
Outcome: Funded Amount: $769,902 Role: Co-PI
AIDS Education and Training Centers Program – Integrating the National HIV Curriculum e-Learning Platform into HC Provider Professional Education (2019), PI: Witt, J.
Health and Human Services funded a multi-site program to integrate the National HIV Curriculum into university curriculum.
Outcome: Funded Amount: $20,000 Role: Coordinator
University of Missouri Hypertension ECHO (2019)
Dr. Lightner serves as the physical activity expert to treat hypertension in Missouri.
Outcome: Funded Amount: $16,000 Role: Expert
Grimes, A., Chrisman, M., & Lightner, J.S. (2020). Barriers and Motivators of Bicycling by Gender Among Older Adult Bicyclists in the Midwest. Health Education and Behavior. Doi: 10.1177/1090198119879731
Lightner, J.S. (2019). A Nationally-Representative Study of Sexual Orientation, Coupling, and Physical Activity for Men. Journal of Homosexuality.
Lightner, J.S., Irwin, B.C., & Chrisman, M. (2018). Social Integration Predicts Physical Activity over 25 Years. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Doi: 10.1123/jpah.2017-0009
B.S., Kansas State University
M.P.H., Kansas State University
Ph.D., Kansas State University