About

Kimberly M Nelson, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Community Health Sciences department at Boston University School of Public Health. She earned her MPH in epidemiology and her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Washington. Dr. Nelson also serves as faculty of the Fordham University Research Ethics Training Institute and is a Society of Behavioral Medicine Fellow. Her research focuses on understanding and intervening on psychological and structural determinants of health inequities, with a particular emphasis on sexual and mental health inequities among marginalized adolescents and young adults. She also explores ethical and legal issues involved in sexual health research, practice, and interventions with adolescents, as well as the use of technology for data collection and health promotion. Dr. Nelson co-directs the Healthy and Empowered Youth (HEY!) Lab at BUSPH and is the Director of the Community Health Sciences PhD Program.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Psychiatry
• Medicine
• Gerontology
• Social psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Family medicine

Selected publications

• Awareness of State-Level Abortion Policy Climates among Young Adult Black Women: Examining Agreement between State Classifications and Participant Perceptions

  Sexuality Research and Social Policy · 2026-02-24

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• School-Based Sex Education Experiences Among Young Adult Black Women Ages 18 to 22: Does State-Level Sex Education Policy Matter?

  American Journal of Sexuality Education · 2026-02-03

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Evidence-based sex education is critical for youth wellbeing, yet Black girls receive low-quality school-based instruction. This study examines sex education experiences (content learned, perceived quality), environment (grade level, instruction amount), and state-level policies mandating curriculum. Young adult Black women (18-22 years; N = 415) completed a cross-sectional survey on 31 topics potentially covered in sex education and the perceived quality of their sex education. Fourteen topics were endorsed as 'discussed, a lot.' Topics learned and perceived quality differed by grade level and instruction amount; state mandates showed limited associations with topics learned or perceived quality. Policy implementation requires improvement.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Unmet Sex Education Needs among Young Adult Black Women in the United States: a Qualitative Exploration of Perceived Informational Gaps in School-Based Sex Education

  Sexuality Research and Social Policy · 2026-04-20

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Consistency of Adolescent Self-Report of Age at First Engagement in Five Sexual Behaviors

  The Journal of Sex Research · 2026-01-26

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  = 1,300). At each timepoint, participants reported the age they first consensually engaged, if ever, in: penetration of the vagina or anus with fingers (digital penetration), oral sex, sex with a toy, penile-vaginal sex, and penile-anal sex. We assigned response patterns as consistent or inconsistent over follow-up. To evaluate whether reports more proximal to the age of initiation were more consistent, we evaluated the proportion of inconsistent responses stratified by whether first engagement was prior to versus during study follow-up. Consistency was high: 81-94%, depending on the type of sex. Nineteen percent of participants had inconsistent reports for digital penetration versus 15% for oral sex, 12% for penetration with toys, 9% for penile-vaginal sex, and 6% for penile-anal sex. Reports collected more proximal to initiation were more consistent. In a diverse cohort of adolescents, we report high consistency of self-report data. Initiating data collection prior to first sex may improve consistency.

  PublisherDOI

• Presence and Knowledge of Minor Consent Laws and STI Testing in US Adolescents

  PEDIATRICS · 2026-05-18

  article1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adolescents' legal capacity to consent independently to sexually transmitted infection (STI) and/or HIV services, and accurate knowledge of their ability, are positively associated with past-year STI/HIV testing. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 5888; aged 13-17 years) from all 50 US states and DC completed an online survey about minor consent laws and STI/HIV services. Legal capacity to consent independently to STI/HIV services was established using existing policy data. Youth were asked which STI/HIV services they could receive without guardian permission in their state, and whether they had been tested for HIV and STI in the past year. We used generalized linear models to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs to estimate associations between legal capacity to consent, accurate knowledge of legal capacity, and STI/HIV testing behavior. RESULTS: Ability to consent independently to STI services was positively associated with past-year STI testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10-1.72). Similarly, ability to consent independently to HIV services was positively associated with past-year HIV testing (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.02-1.53). Accurate knowledge of legal capacity to consent independently to STI and HIV testing was positively associated with past-year STI and HIV testing, respectively (aOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 2.01-3.36; aOR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.78-2.92). CONCLUSION: Given the relative magnitude of the associations, adolescents' accurate knowledge of minor consent laws may be more important to their STI/HIV testing than the laws themselves. Ensuring that adolescents know about their ability to consent independently to STI/HIV services may increase adolescent STI/HIV service use.

  PublisherDOI

• History of Minor Consent Laws for Mental Health Treatment in the US

  JAMA Health Forum · 2026-04-24

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Importance: To facilitate access to mental health treatment for minors who are unwilling to involve parents or guardians in their care, states have enacted statutes granting minors the legal capacity to independently consent (ie, without parental/guardian consent) to mental health services. Understanding changes in these laws over time may facilitate research that assesses whether these laws increase access to care, and support legal and clinical interventions to advance minors' access to mental health care. Objective: To analyze the adoption and amendment of minor consent laws for mental health services in all 50 states and Washington, DC, from 1950 to 2024 while focusing on the capacity of minors to independently consent and the confidentiality protections that apply to the mental health information of independently consenting minors. Design and Setting: This study used legal epidemiological methods to code state statutes, state regulations, and relevant case law regulating the legal capacity of minors in all 50 US states and Washington, DC, from 1950 to 2024 to consent independently to (1) general health care (inclusive of mental health care), (2) outpatient talk therapy, (3) mental health medications, and (4) residential treatment. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was the youngest age of capacity to consent to general health care, outpatient therapy, mental health medications, and residential treatment, respectively, as well as confidentiality protections that prohibit, enable, or require disclosure of minors' mental health treatment information to parents or guardians. Results: From the 1950s to 2019, there was steady growth in the number of states that allowed minors to consent independently to mental health treatment, with outpatient therapy being the most common. In 2024, for the first time since states started allowing minor consent, multiple states revoked the capacity for minors to consent independently to mental health treatment. Few laws protect minors' mental health treatment records against disclosure to their parents or guardians. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this study suggest that research that assesses the effect of these laws (and their revocation) on clinical practice, access to care, and mental health outcomes for minors is needed to inform practice and policies that increase access to mental health care for minors in the US.

  PublisherDOI

• Survey Research with Adolescents and Young Adults Using Online Social Media Recruitment: Best Practices Identified Through Systematic Review and Case Study (Preprint)

  2026-01-05

  articleOpen access

  <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> There are several benefits associated with online survey research methodology in sensitive research areas with adolescents and young adults (AYAs). For example, geographic reach, including rural communities; larger sample sizes, increased participant access; increased privacy; cost saving; time; access to hidden, marginalized or stigmatized populations; and use of fewer resources for both participants and researchers. With these benefits, however, come challenges: intentionally fraudulent or duplicate entries are particularly concerning and are the focus of this systematic review. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This review seeks to assess the state of the literature on online survey research using social media recruitment among AYAs by reviewing studies that discuss best practices for this methodology. We then use examples from studies conducted by our research team to situate the findings of this review and provide additional recommendations for online survey research with AYAs. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> The following databases were searched: PubMed, APA PsycInfo on EBSCOhost, APA PsycArticles on EBSCOhost, and Web of Science. In each database, the following search terms and Boolean operators were used: (Adolescen* OR young adult*) AND (online survey OR online recruit* OR social media recruit*) AND (fraud OR best practices OR scam* OR lessons learned). We applied filters for date of publication (2015-2025) and language (English). Searches were first completed in January 2025, with additional searches in March, September, and November 2025 to check for new publications. Selection Criteria Only original, peer-reviewed studies were included in this review. Additional criteria included language (English), location (United States) and date (published during or after 2015). Only studies with adolescent or young adult (AYA) subjects were included. Data Collection and Analysis We extracted the following items from each study: Participants, Methodology, Recruitment platforms, Survey platforms, Research topic area (i.e., suicide, health behaviors, sexual abuse), and Recommendations. After reviewing the full text and extracting data, we summarized each study and then synthesized the “best practices” for survey research among AYA using online social media recruitment as recommended in these studies. We used NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational and Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies to assess risk of bias. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Our review included a final sample of n=4 studies. Records included in this review suggest a variety of fraud detection/prevention methods when collecting online data from children, adolescents, and young adults. The methods mentioned include utilizing built-in Qualtrics features (n=2), tracking IP address (n=3), reviewing data for unusual or extreme responses (n=2), honesty and grammar checks (n=1), a multi-phased screening approach utilizing personally-identifiable information (n=1), monitoring email (n=2), reviewing time to completion (n=1) and checking zip code (n=1). </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> There is limited research examining best practices for conducting online surveys with adolescent and young adult populations using social media recruitment strategies despite advantages with this methodology and risk for fraud. Common recommendations for fraud detection and prevention include recording IP addresses to track and flag duplicate responses and manually reviewing the data for email address, demographic, or survey item response anomalies. Fraudulent data collected on critical public health concerns among AYA populations provides an inaccurate picture of the problem and may result in inadequate spending, awareness, training, policy and prevention efforts which, at best, mask the extent of the issue or, at worst, exacerbate these health concerns among young people. Understanding the etiology and impact of complex public health problems affecting AYAs is critical for informing innovative and effective prevention and intervention services and programs. </sec>

  PublisherDOI

• Trends in Suicidal Behaviors among Hispanic Individuals: Differences by Sexual Orientation, 2015–2019, USA

  Hispanic Health Care International · 2026-02-10

  articleSenior author

  Suicide is the 11th-leading cause of death in the U.S., contributing significantly to healthcare burdens. Recent data indicate alarming increases in suicidal behaviors among Hispanic individuals, with a 38.6% rise in suicide rates from 2011 to 2021. This study utilizes pooled data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine trends in suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Hispanic adults, stratified by sexual orientation identity. Our analysis reveals higher odds of suicidal behaviors among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Hispanic individuals, particularly bisexual Hispanic adults, compared to their heterosexual peers. Significant associations were found between alcohol use and increased suicidal behaviors across all groups. These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally competent mental health services and targeted interventions that address the unique stressors faced by those with multiple marginalized identities. Addressing these disparities is crucial for effective suicide prevention strategies within Hispanic and, and particularly among those who are also LGB.

  PublisherDOI

• Gathering Insights About Sexual Health Promotion From Adolescents’ Adoption of COVID-19-Protective Behaviors

  Health Education & Behavior · 2026-03-22

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  This study aimed to understand how adolescent adoption of behaviors protective against different health risks relate to each other, as well as the role family and friends might play in the adoption of protective behaviors. We used data from adolescents ( N = 1,803; age 13–17 years) who were recruited between April 2022 and June 2023 for the QuaranTeen Health study, an online, longitudinal survey assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent sexual health. We used data from the baseline questionnaire to calculate weighted correlations between friend and family norms about masking and vaccination and adolescents’ COVID-19 protective behaviors, defined as 1) participant masking in the past two weeks and 2) receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot. We used weighted logistic regression models to estimate associations between COVID-19-protective behaviors and sexual health-protective behaviors (i.e., condom use and hormonal contraception use at the most recent sex). We found that increased friend and family norms for COVID-19-protective behaviors were associated with participant masking (friends: ρ = .40, p &lt; .01; family: ρ = .34, p &lt; .01) and vaccine uptake (friends: ρ = .40, p &lt; .01; family: ρ = .56, p &lt; .01). Both behaviors were positively associated with condom use (masking: OR = 1.63, 95% CI = [1.05, 2.52]; vaccination: OR = 2.20, 95% CI = [1.32, 3.69]). Neither was associated with hormonal contraception use. Our findings suggest that family and friend norms for health-protective behaviors appear to be associated with health-protective behaviors among adolescents, at least when examining COVID-19-protective behaviors. Integrating friend and family norms may increase the effectiveness of future sexual health interventions designed to increase sexual health-protective behaviors among adolescents.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring State- and Individual-Level Characteristics Associated with Perceived Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Among Young Adult Black Women

  The Journal of Sex Research · 2025-09-12

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  = .98, SD = .96). Perceived barriers varied by individual-level characteristics. Promoting healthy sexuality in YABW requires addressing perceived barriers to care.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Na Wang

  Boston University

  173 shared

• Emelia J. Benjamin

  Boston Medical Center

  172 shared

• Patrick T. Ellinor

  170 shared

• Jared W. Magnani

  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

  170 shared

• Michael G. Shlipak

  University of California, San Francisco

  169 shared

• Erik B. Schelbert

  University of Pittsburgh

  169 shared

• Caroline L. Phillips

  National Institute on Aging

  169 shared

• Nicolas Rodondi

  University of Bern

  169 shared

Labs

• Healthy and Empowered Youth (HEY!) LabPI

Awards & honors

• Society of Behavioral Medicine Fellow