Cheryl Healton
Cheryl Healton
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Founding Dean of School of Global Public Health
Professor of Public Health Policy and Management
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Professional overview
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For the last ten years, Dean Healton has devoted herself to building GPH’s academic, service, and research programs. The School has been accredited by CEPH, increased the size of its student body and research funding, recruited top faculty, added doctoral-level programs, and made diversity, equity and inclusion a priority.
Previously, as the founding President and CEO of Legacy, a leading organization dedicated to tobacco control, Dean Healton guided the national youth tobacco prevention campaign, which has been credited with reducing youth smoking prevalence to record lows, and launched programs for smoking cessation, public education, technical assistance, and a broad range of grant making.
Prior to joining Legacy, Dean Healton held numerous roles at Columbia University including Associate Dean of its Medical School, Assistant Vice President for the Health Sciences and Chairman of Sociomedical Sciences, and Associate Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health. She is an Emeritus Professor of Columbia University.
Dean Healton has authored over 120 peer-reviewed articles and has been awarded multiple grants in AIDS, tobacco control and higher education. She was the founding chair of the Public Health Practice Council of the Association of Schools of Public Health. As an active member of the public health community she has given presentations around the world and is a frequent contributor to national and local coverage of public health issues.
She holds a DrPH from Columbia University's School of Public Health (with distinction) and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at NYU.
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Education
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MPA, Health Policy and Planning, New York University, New York, NYDrPH, Sociomedical Sciences (with distinction), Columbia University, New York, NY
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Areas of research and study
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Public Health LawPublic Health PolicyTobacco Control
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Publications
Publications
Adverse Reactions to Public Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Lessons Learned
AbstractHealton, C., Fairchild, A., Jones, M., & del Rio, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Page(s)
naAbstract~AI integrations with lung cancer screening : Considerations in developing AI in a public health setting
AbstractMulshine, J. L., Avila, R. S., Sylva, M., Aldige, C., Blum, T., Cham, M., de Koning, H. J., Fain, S. B., Field, J., Flores, R., Giger, M. L., Gipp, I., Grannis, F. W., Gratama, J. W., Healton, C., Kazerooni, E. A., Kelly, K., Lancaster, H. L., Montuenga, L. M., … Yankelelvitz, D. F. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
European Journal of CancerVolume
220AbstractLung cancer screening implementation has led to expanded imaging of the chest in older, tobacco-exposed populations. Growing numbers of screening cases are also found to have CT-detectable emphysema or elevated levels of coronary calcium, indicating the presence of coronary artery disease. Early interventions based on these additional findings, especially with coronary calcium, are emerging and follow established protocols. Given the pace of diagnostic innovation and the potential public health impact, it is timely to review issues in developing useful chest CT screening infrastructure as chest CT screening will soon involve millions of participants worldwide. Lung cancer screening succeeds because it detects curable, early primary lung cancer by characterizing and measuring changes in non-calcified, lung nodules in the size-range from 3mm to 15 mm in diameter. Therefore, close attention to imaging methodology is essential to lung screening success and similar image quality issues are required for reliable quantitative characterization of early emphysema and coronary artery disease. Today's emergence of advanced image analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting many aspects of medical imaging including chest CT screening. Given these emerging technological and volume trends, a major concern is how to balance the diverse needs of parties committed to building AI tools for precise, reproducible, and economical chest CT screening, while addressing the public health needs of screening participants receiving this service. A new consortium, the Alliance for Global Implementation of Lung and Cardiac Early Disease Detection and Treatment (AGILEDxRx) is committed to facilitate broad, equitable implementation of multi-disciplinary, high quality chest CT screening using advanced computational tools at accessible cost.Multiple chapters in addition to serving as corresponding lead Editor1-Global Women's Health Overview Zephyrin, Beddoe, VandeVanter and Healton2-Women and Substance Use- Healton and Naegle3-Hope for the Future: Driving Systems and Policy Change to Advance the Health and Human Rights of Women
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Abstract~Paradigm shift in early detection : Lung cancer screening to comprehensive CT screening
AbstractMulshine, J. L., Pyenson, B., Healton, C., Aldige, C., Avila, R. S., Blum, T., Cham, M., de Koning, H. J., Fain, S. B., Field, J. K., Flores, R., Giger, M. L., Gipp, I., Grannis, F. W., Gratama, J. W., Kazerooni, E. A., Kelly, K., Lancaster, H. L., Montuenga, L., … Oudkerk, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
European Journal of CancerVolume
218AbstractLarge-scale lung cancer screening implementation combined with improvements in early detection techniques for three major tobacco-related diseases presents a rare opportunity to markedly improve population health outcomes for millions of people. Chest CT enables routine detection of early lung cancer as well as characterizing coronary calcium and detecting early emphysema in the course of lung cancer screening. Integrated preventive care centered on comprehensive chest CT screening has the potential to bring large benefits across co-morbid diseases with a common etiology. The current one-disease/ silo paradigm of medical practice is an obstacle to maximizing chest CT screening's benefits. The large potential for improved health outcomes across the world demands careful public health, quality assurance, and health policy considerations. A systematic analysis of imaging and health data from ongoing chest CT screening could accelerate this paradigm shift through sustained optimization of screening detection, quantitation and management for the three most lethal tobacco-related co-morbidities. To coordinate this effort to advance progress with implementing the full benefit of comprehensive chest CT screening, a new multi- disciplinary professional and advocacy consortium has been developed to foster collaboration to realize the future of multi-disease chest CT screening.Backlash: The War on Public Health, Editors Amy Fairchild, Cheryl Healton, Marian Jones, Ron Bayer, Georges Benjamin (accepted in contract in 2023, anticpated publication 2024Healton Chapters lead and contributor:1-Introduction: The War on Public Health, Then and Now (with Bayer, fairchild, Jones, Benjamin) 2-Backlash in the System: The Experience within Governmental Public Health Healton (lead) with Benjamin, Juliano, Pagan3-The Case for a Truth Campaign for Public Health Healton (lead) Jack Leslie
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Abstract~North American Drug Dialogue Public Health Sumit, June 6, 2023 White House Offcie on Drug Conrol Policy"Preventing Substance Use through Public Education" C. Healton
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2023Page(s)
N/A public power pointAbstract~Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment in the Dominican Republic : Perspectives of Focus Group Participants in the Santo Domingo Area
AbstractLiebermann, E. J., VanDevanter, N., Shirazian, T., Frías Gúzman, N., Niles, M., Healton, C., & Ompad, D. C. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Transcultural NursingVolume
31Issue
2Page(s)
121-127AbstractIntroduction: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the Dominican Republic, and high rates persist despite existing Pap smear screening programs. The purpose of this study was to explore Dominican women’s knowledge and attitudes regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening practices, and perceived barriers and facilitators to early detection of cervical cancer. Method: Six focus groups (N = 64) were conducted in Spanish in urban, suburban, and rural locations, in private and public school settings, community and workplace settings, in or near Santo Domingo, as part of a larger study on barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccine implementation. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and translated from Spanish to English. Qualitative data analysis used inductive and deductive approaches. Results: Knowledge regarding HPV and cervical cancer varied across groups, but all agreed there was significant stigma and fear regarding HPV. Most women reported having Pap screening at least yearly. Follow-up of abnormal Pap testing was less consistent, with cost and uncertainty about provider recommendations identified as barriers. Discussion: Broader examination of provider-level and health system barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer prevention in the Dominican Republic is essential, in order to inform interventions to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening and treatment programs and reduce preventable deaths.Parent-Level Barriers and Facilitators to HPV Vaccine Implementation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
AbstractLiebermann, E., Devanter, N. V., Frías Gúzman, N., Ompad, D. C., Shirazian, T., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Community HealthVolume
45Issue
5Page(s)
1061-1066AbstractCervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the Dominican Republic. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) could reduce mortality from cervical cancer globally by as much as 90%. The purpose of our study was to explore multi-level barriers and facilitators to implementation of a national HPV vaccine program in the Dominican Republic; this article focuses on parent-level barriers and facilitators. In this qualitative study, we conducted six focus groups (N = 64) with parents of school-age children in the Santo Domingo area of the Dominican Republic, representing diverse socioeconomic groups and geographic settings. Thematic content analysis, using inductive and deductive approaches, was done following transcription and translation of audio-recordings from focus group discussions. Among this group of parents in the Santo Domingo area, facilitators to vaccine uptake were favorable attitudes towards vaccines in general and concern about cervical cancer as a health issue. Barriers found were low to moderate knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, especially in the rural and suburban groups, and cost and lack of public awareness of the vaccine. This study identified key barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccine implementation in the Dominican Republic. Health messaging, incorporating specialist providers as opinion leaders, will need to be tailored to broad audiences with varying levels of information and awareness, anticipating misinformation and concerns, and will need to emphasize HPV vaccine as a method to prevent cancer.Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Academic Public Health : 20-Year Update
AbstractGoodman, M. S., Plepys, C. M., Bather, J. R., Kelliher, R. M., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Public Health ReportsVolume
135Issue
1Page(s)
74-81AbstractObjective: This study is a follow-up to an examination of the racial/ethnic composition of public health students (1996) and faculty (1997) at schools of public health that was conducted 20 years ago. We examined data on the race/ethnicity of students, graduates, and faculty among Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)–member institutions during 2016-2017 and how these data have changed in the past 20 years. Methods: We obtained data on the race/ethnicity of students (in 1996 and 2016), graduates (in 1996 and 2016), and faculty (in 1997 and 2017) at ASPPH-member institutions from the ASPPH Data Center. We tabulated frequencies, percentages, and 20-year percentage-point changes by race/ethnicity. We examined data for all current ASPPH-member institutions and for comparable subcohorts of 1996 and 1997 member institutions that are current ASPPH members. Results: In graduate student enrollment, the 20-year increase in each nonwhite racial/ethnic subgroup was ≤5 percentage points. Among tenured faculty, the 20-year increase was greatest among Asians (8 percentage points) but wasEvidence, alarm, and the debate over e-cigarettes
AbstractFairchild, A., Healton, C., Curran, J., Abrams, D. S., & Bayer, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2019Journal title
ScienceVolume
366Issue
6471Page(s)
1318-1320Abstract~The Opioid Crisis, Corporate Responsibility, and Lessons from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
AbstractHealton, C., Pack, R., & Galea, S. (n.d.).Publication year
2019Journal title
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical AssociationVolume
322Issue
21Page(s)
2071-2072Abstract~The tobacco master settlement agreement - Strategic lessons for addressing public health problems
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2018Journal title
New England Journal of MedicineVolume
379Issue
11Page(s)
997-1000AbstractThe 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the tobacco industry and 46 state attorneys general (AGs), five U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C., remains the largest legal.Pedagogical Scholarship in Public Health : A Call for Cultivating Learning Communities to Support Evidence-Based Education
AbstractMerzel, C., Halkitis, P. N., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2017Journal title
Public Health ReportsVolume
132Issue
6Page(s)
679-683AbstractPublic health education is experiencing record growth and transformation. The current emphasis on learning outcomes necessitates attention to creating and evaluating the best curricula and learning methods for helping public health students develop public health competencies. Schools and programs of public health would benefit from active engagement in pedagogical research and additional platforms to support dissemination and implementation of educational research findings. We reviewed current avenues for sharing public health educational research, curricula, and best teaching practices; we identified useful models from other health professions; and we offered suggestions for how the field of public health education can develop communities of learning devoted to supporting pedagogy. Our goal was to help advance an agenda of innovative evidence-based public health education, enabling schools and programs of public health to evaluate and measure success in meeting the current and future needs of the public health profession.The US Cancer Moonshot initiative
AbstractAelion, C. M., Airhihenbuwa, C. O., Alemagno, S., Amler, R. W., Arnett, D. K., Balas, A., Bertozzi, S., Blakely, C. H., Boerwinkle, E., Brandt-Rauf, P., Buekens, P. M., Chandler, G. T., Chang, R. W., Clark, J. E., Cleary, P. D., Curran, J. W., Curry, S. J., Roux, A. V., Dittus, R., … Ying, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
The Lancet OncologyVolume
17Issue
5Page(s)
e178-e180Abstract~Tobacco control : How are we doing?
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
106Issue
7Page(s)
1164-1166Abstract~Robbing Peter to Pay Paul with our Lives, Huffington
AbstractHealton, C., & El-Mohandes, A. (n.d.). In The Huffington Post.Publication year
2015Abstract~To be ready for Ebola, hospitals need proper equipment, training and a plan
AbstractHealton, C., & Ogedegbe, O. (n.d.). In The Huffington Post.Publication year
2015Abstract~Tobacco control since the 1964 Surgeon General's Report : Reflecting back and looking forward
AbstractMulshine, J. L., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
ONCOLOGY (United States)Volume
28Issue
3Abstract~What would it really take to halt Ebola and prevent future epidemics?
AbstractHealton, C., & Dickey, C. (n.d.). In The Huffington Post.Publication year
2014Abstract~Public attitudes regarding banning of cigarettes and regulation of nicotine
AbstractConnolly, G. N., Behm, I., Healton, C., & Alpert, H. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
102Issue
4Page(s)
e1-e2AbstractKnowledge of current public opinion is important as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies the best scientific evidence available to tobacco product regulation. Based on a nationally representative survey of the US adult population, we report 43% support for banning of cigarettes, 65% for reducing nicotine, and 77% for reducing nicotine if such an action could cause fewer children to become addicted to cigarettes. The FDA should consider protecting children by removing all but nonaddictive cigarettes from the marketplace.Who will deliver on the promise?
AbstractNorthridge, M. E., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
102Issue
1Page(s)
17-21AbstractThe Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Core CompetencyModel aspires to rigorously train future leaders of public health practice to direct and advance societal efforts that address socially rooted causes of health and illness. Although there is no proven formula for success, 3 principles derived from practice may guide the way forward: (1) institutionalize mutual learning and reciprocity between schools of public health and public health agencies and organizations, (2) capitalize on the full resources of the larger university to enrich the educational experiences of DrPH candidates and public health leaders, and (3) globalize the search for model DrPH programs that may be adapted for US schools. Schools of public health must ensure that DrPH programs gain the status and resources needed to fulfill their societal mandate.Butt really? The environmental impact of cigarettes
AbstractHealton, C., Michael Cummings, K., O'Connor, R. J., & Novotny, T. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Tobacco controlVolume
20Issue
1 SUPPLPage(s)
1Abstract~Depictions of tobacco use in 2007 broadcast television programming popular among US youth
AbstractCullen, J., Sokol, N. A., Slawek, D., Allen, J. A., Vallone, D., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineVolume
165Issue
2Page(s)
147-151AbstractObjectives: To determine the quantity of tobacco use in network television programming popular among US youth and to examine variation in tobacco depictions by TV Parental Guidelines system rating and television network. Design: A content analysis was conducted of broadcast network television programming popular among youth. Nielsen viewership rating data were used to identify a sample of top-rated television series for youth aged 12 to 17 years during the fall 2007 television season. Depictions of tobacco use per television episode were examined by TV Parental Guidelines rating and television network. χ2 testing was used to examine differences in proportions of tobacco depictions across television episode ratings and networks. Setting: Data collection and analysis were conducted at the American Legacy Foundation (now known as Legacy). Subjects: Broadcast television viewers in 2007. Main Outcome Measure: Tobacco use depictions on broadcast television were examined. Results: Forty percent of television episodes examined had at least 1 depiction of tobacco use. Of these depictions, 89% were of cigarettes. Among episodes rated TV-PG (ie, parental guidance suggested) (N=73), 50% showed 1 or more incidents of cigarette use, in contrast to 26% of TV-14 (ie, parents strongly cautioned) episodes. The percentage of episodes with any tobacco use depictions was highest on the FOX network (44%; n=32), followed closely by The CW (CBS-Warner Brothers) (41%; n=30). Conclusions: Substantial tobacco use was observed in television shows popular among youth. It is projected that almost 1 million youth were exposed to tobacco depictions through the programming examined. Tobacco use on television should be a cause for concern, particularly because of the high volume of television viewing among younger audiences.The Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium : a foundation-university partnership to reduce tobacco use.
AbstractHealton, C., & Curran, J. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Health promotion practiceVolume
12Issue
6 Suppl 2Page(s)
112S-3SAbstract~Tobacco : An equal-opportunity killer?
AbstractCurry, L. E., Vallone, D. M., Cartwright, J., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Tobacco controlVolume
20Issue
4Page(s)
251-252Abstract~