MRC Epidemiology UnitVisiting Scientist
Population Health Interventions
Work and interests
Samantha Hajna’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of physical activity interventions among older adults. With expertise in the application of Geographic Information Systems and GPS monitoring to health research, Samantha leads several projects aimed at understanding the role that environments play in health behaviours and health outcomes.
Background and experience
Prior to joining the Population Health Interventions, Sam was a Research Associate in the Prevention of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders in high risk groups programme. Samantha completed her BSc and MSc degrees at Brock University (ON, Canada) and was awarded a PhD in Epidemiology from McGill University (QC, Canada). Some of the studies that Samantha was involved with include the EPIC-Norfolk Study, UK Biobank, and the Fenland Study.
Publications
Selected publications
- Hajna S, White T, Panter J et al. Driving status, travel modes and accelerometer-assessed physical activity in younger, middle-aged and older adults: a prospective study of 90 810 UK Biobank participants. International Journal of Epidemiology. (2019) 48(4): 1175–1186
- Hajna S, White T, Brage S et al. Descriptive epidemiology of changes in objectively measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity: Six-year follow-up of the EPIC-Norfolk cohort. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2018, 15(1):122.
- Hajna S, Ross N & Dasgupta K. Steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and cardiometabolic profiles. Preventive Medicine. 2018, 107:69-74.
- Hajna S, Dasgupta K & Ross N. Laboratory-assessed markers of cardiometabolic health and associations with street connectivity, land use mix, and population density. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018, 15(10), 2079.
- Hajna S, Ross NA, Griffin SJ & Dasgupta K. Lexical Neutrality in Environmental Health Research: Reflections on the Term Walkability. BMC Public Health. 2017, 17(1):940.