Dr. Adams focuses on human dynamics research: the intersection of behavioral economics, environmental design, technology, and temporal and spatial dimensions for the promotion of health behaviors linked to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. He follows the behavioral ecological model for understanding motivation of health behaviors, and is specifically interested in the dynamic intersection between built environments and behavioral economics for increasing physical activity.

For his current study, Dr. Adams will test for, within a multilevel framework, (a) synergistic and antagonistic interactions of neighborhood walkability and individual-level adaptive goal setting and reward interventions delivered via texting (SMS) over 12 months to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among healthy adults, and (b) will design for and evaluate maintenance of physical activity up to 24 months among adults residing in neighborhoods that are supportive or unsupportive of physical activity. The study will contribute to our understanding of the interactions between individual-level physical activity interventions and walkable neighborhoods and inform behavioral theory, ecological models, and public health practice for promoting adoption and maintenance of physical activity among healthy adults for chronic disease prevention.