Sarah Britney Maness

Dr. Sarah Britney Maness is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion at East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance. A Certified Public Health scholar, she earned dual B.A./B.S. degrees from North Carolina State University, an MPH from Emory University, and a PhD in Public Health from the University of South Florida.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Public Health, University of South Florida
• MPH, Emory University
• B.S. in Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University
• B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, North Carolina State University

Research Focus:
Dr. Maness’ scholarship centers on social determinants of health and health equity, with concentrated expertise in reproductive health (adolescent pregnancy prevention, contraceptive decision-making, HPV vaccination) and community gun-violence prevention. Her work blends quantitative and qualitative methods to design, implement, and evaluate interventions for rural, minority, and faith-based populations across the southeastern United States.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a trajectory that integrates cancer prevention, vaccine hesitancy, mental-health impacts of COVID-19, and system-level strategies for inter-professional HPV prevention. Studies repeatedly emphasize community-engaged research, systematic reviews, and longitudinal analyses using national datasets.

Grants & Professional Service:

• Principal Investigator, EOSA Scholars Pilot Funding (ECU Office of Engaged Research, 2024)
• Co-Investigator, Neighborhood environments and heart failure outcomes (AHA, 2025-2026)
• Fulbright Specialist, Escuela Superior Politecnica Del Litoral, Ecuador (2025) — led six workshops on crisis management and psychological preparedness for high-risk community situations.

Labs & Teams:
While no dedicated lab name is provided, Dr. Maness maintains an active community-engaged research portfolio, collaborating with academic–community partnerships, clinic networks, and faith-based organizations to translate findings into practice.