Elizabeth A. (Libby) Richards, PhD, MSN, RN, CHES
Education
- BSN, University of Saint Francis
- MSN, Indiana University
- PhD, Purdue University
Biography
Dr. Richards’ research efforts focus on understanding and intervening on the individual, interpersonal, and environmental influences on physical activity behavior. Past studies have focused on the use of dog walking to increase physical activity and included the implementation and evaluation of two randomized controlled trials (funded by the American Kennel Club and the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative). These interventions demonstrated effectiveness in a similar manner and led to examining the impact of this intervention strategy in new settings and in new populations. A larger scale of this intervention, funded by Purdue Extension and named Get WalkIN’, was delivered through Purdue Extension Educators in sixteen Indiana counties. Due to this program success, Purdue Extension has implemented Dr. Richards’ intervention across the state of Indiana.
Dr. Richards’ research also involves examination of dyadic relationships in physical activity promotion. Findings from Dr. Richards’ dog walking studies highlight the importance of external support for increasing physical activity which led to development of a research team to examine other types of social partnering that could support behavior change. This interdisciplinary team conducted a pilot intervention (funded by the Kinley Foundation) examining the effectiveness of a couple-focused collaborative goal setting intervention to increase physical activity among older adults in committed relationships. This intervention increased activity an average of 60 min/wk while leveraging the strong association between couples’ physical activity behavior.
In addition, she serves in several leadership positions in the field of public health, including as a Board Member for the Indiana Public Health Association and past member of the American Public Health Association Action Board. She is one of seven individuals hired by Purdue University to promote research across disciplines in public health. Dr. Richards’ is a faculty associate for Purdue’s Center for Aging and the Life Course. In addition, she is a faculty partner for Purdue’s Center for Families. She actively mentors students interested in population health and public health nursing. She currently teaches Population Health and Public Health Nursing.
In the News
- CNN: Why winter weather makes it easier to catch a cold or the flu (Jan. 4, 2021)
- Wall Street Journal: The benefits of sticking to New Year’s resolution to work out more (subscription required) (Jan. 1, 2021)
- Washington Post: Will going out in the cold give you a cold? (Dec. 20, 2020)
- WLFI: Experts express importance in receiving flu vaccination (Sept. 1, 2020)
- The Conversation: Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever because of COVID-19 (Aug. 19, 2020)
- WISH: COVID-19 and herd immunity, your questions answered (Aug 5, 2020)
- WXIN: Social distancing during COVID-19 (April 21, 2020)
- The Healthy: These people are at the highest risk from coronavirus (March 29, 2020)
- Orlando Sentinel: Can you hire movers during the coronavirus outbreak? Yes, but it’s more complicated (March 26, 2020)
- Chicago Tribune: Coronavirus questions: National medical experts have your answers (March 25, 2020)
- Fox News: Coronavirus concerns rise over past month--but 3 in 10 still not worried, poll finds (March 19, 2020)
- WIBC (Indianapolis):Expert on Population Health: 'Tremendous change' required to gain control of COVID-19 pandemic (March 17, 2020)
- WXIN/WTTV Indianapolis: Full Steam Ahead Podcast - Resolutions and Exercise (Jan. 1, 2020)
- San Antonio Express-News: Hate exercise? Small increases in physical activity can make a big difference (Dec. 23, 2019)
- Wall Street Journal: One with the flu shot? Not enough people get it. (Nov. 15, 2019)
- The Conversation: Why the flu shot cannot give you the flu (and why you should get one now) (Sept. 27, 2019)
- WXIN (Fox Indianapolis): Full Steam Ahead Podcast Episode 13 – Back to School Tips (Aug. 13, 2019)
- Lafayette Journal & Courier: With school right around the corner, here are 6 ways parents can prepare for a great year (Aug. 2, 2019)
- Outbreak News Podcast: The importance of vaccines with Dr. Libby Richards (February 2019)
- WLFI: After 14-flu-related deaths in Indiana, health experts make the case that vaccination is effective (Feb. 1, 2019)
- WLFI: Could weather be a reason why you can’t seem to get over that nasty cold? Health experts say absolutely (Jan. 8, 2019)
- WLFI: Local health officials encouraging revaccination (Dec. 13, 2018)
Area(s) of Specialization
- Population Health
- Public Health Nursing
Current CV (PDF)
Associate Professor
Director, PhD. Program
Fellow of the Purdue University Teaching Academy
Faculty Associate, Center on Aging and Life Course
Faculty Partner, Center for Families
Phone: 765-494-1392
Office: JNSN 247C
E-mail: earichar@purdue.edu