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
Tobacco and NIH : More than addiction
AbstractSeffrin, J. R., Brown, N. A., Connor, C. D., Myers, M. L., Healton, C., & Richland, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Tobacco controlVolume
20Issue
3Page(s)
175-177Abstract~US attitudes about banning menthol in cigarettes : Results from a nationally representative survey
AbstractWinickoff, J. P., McMillen, R. C., Vallone, D. M., Pearson, J. L., Tanski, S. E., Dempsey, J. H., Healton, C., Klein, J. D., & Abrams, D. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
101Issue
7Page(s)
1234-1236AbstractMenthol is a cigarette flavoring that makes smoking more appealing to smokers. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority to ban mentholated cigarettes to reduce youth uptake and encourage adult cessation. Survey findings indicate that more than half of all Americans (56.1%) and of Blacks alone (68.0% in one sample and 75.8% in another) support banning menthol. Endorsement of a ban-especially by Blacks, who have the highest rates of menthol cigarette use-would support FDA action to ban menthol to protect the public's health.Camel No. 9 cigarette-marketing campaign targeted young teenage girls
AbstractPierce, J. P., Messer, K., James, L. E., White, M. M., Kealey, S., Vallone, D. M., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
PediatricsVolume
125Issue
4Page(s)
619-626AbstractCONTEXT: The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) restricted tobacco industry advertising practices that targeted teens. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether cigarette-advertising campaigns conducted after the MSA continue to influence smoking among adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were a national longitudinal cohort of 1036 adolescents (baseline age: 10-13 years) enrolled in a parenting study. Between 2003 and 2008, 5 sequential telephone interviews were conducted, including the participants report of brand of "favorite" cigarette advertisement. The fifth interview was conducted after the start of RJ Reynolds' innovative "Camel No. 9" advertising campaign in 2007. Smoking outcome reported from the fifth survey. RESULTS: The response rate through the fifth survey was 71.8%. Teenagers who reported any favorite cigarette ad at baseline (mean age: 11.7 years) were 50% more likely to have smoked by the fifth interview (adjusted odds ratio: 1.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.3]). For boys, the proportion with a favorite ad was stable across all 5 surveys, as it was for girls across the first 4 surveys. However, after the start of the Camel No. 9 advertising campaign, the proportion of girls who reported a favorite ad increased by 10 percentage points, to 44%. The Camel brand accounted almost entirely for this increase, and the proportion of each gender that nominated the Marlboro brand remained relatively stable. CONCLUSIONS: After the MSA, adolescents continued to be responsive to cigarette advertising, and those who were responsive were more likely to start smoking. Recent RJ Reynolds advertising may be effectively targeting adolescent girls.Home and workplace smoking bans in Italy, Ireland, Sweden, France and the Czech Republic
AbstractHealton, C., Heck, J. E., Stücker, I., Allwright, S., Gritz, E. R., Haglund, M., Healton, C. G., Kralikova, E., Sanchez Del Mazo, S., Tamang, E., Dresler, C. M., & Hashibe, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
European Respiratory JournalVolume
35Issue
5Page(s)
969-979AbstractThe purpose of this study was to report predictors and prevalence of home and workplace smoking bans in five European countries. We conducted a population-based telephone survey of 4,977 females, ascertaining factors associated with smoking bans. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were derived using unconditional logistic regression. A complete home smoking ban was reported by 59.5% of French, 63.5% of Irish, 61.3% of Italian, 74.4% of Czech and 87.0% of Swedish females. Home smoking bans were associated with younger age and being bothered by secondhand smoke, and among smokers, inversely associated with greater tobacco dependence. Among nonsmokers, bans were also related to believing smoking is harmful (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11-1.30) and having parents who smoke (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.73). Workplace bans were reported by 92.6% of French, 96.5% of Irish, 77.9% of Italian, 79.1% of Czech and 88.1% of Swedish females. Workplace smoking bans were reported less often among those in technical positions (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.82) and among skilled workers (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.88) than among professional workers. Workplace smoking bans are in place for most workers in these countries. Having a home smoking ban was based on smoking behaviour, demographics, beliefs and personal preference. CopyrightMenthol Cigarettes are Harmful
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.). In The Wall Street Journal.Publication year
2010Abstract~Misinformation about tobacco
AbstractMalone, R. E., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
100Issue
1Page(s)
6Abstract~Prohibiting menthol in tobacco products : A policy whose time has come
AbstractHealton, C., Beck, S. E., Cartwright, J., & Vallone, D. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
AddictionVolume
105Issue
SUPPL.1Page(s)
5-7Abstract~The truth® Campaign: Using Countermarketing to Reduce Youth Smoking
AbstractHealey, B. J., Zimmerman, R. S., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Page(s)
195 - 215Abstract~Why we should make menthol cigarettes history
AbstractHealton, C., Bullock, A. T., Robinson, W. S., Beck, S. E., Cartwright, J., & Eubanks, S. Y. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
12Issue
SUPPL. 2Page(s)
S94-S97Abstract~Cost-Utility Analysis of the National truth® Campaign to Prevent Youth Smoking
AbstractHoltgrave, D. R., Wunderink, K. A., Vallone, D. M., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
American journal of preventive medicineVolume
36Issue
5Page(s)
385-388AbstractBackground: In 2005, the American Journal of Public Health published an article that indicated that 22% of the overall decline in youth smoking that occurred between 1999 and 2002 was directly attributable to the truth® social marketing campaign launched in 2000. A remaining key question about the truth campaign is whether the economic investment in the program can be justified by the public health outcomes; that question is examined here. Methods: Standard methods of cost and cost-utility analysis were employed in accordance with the U.S. Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine; a societal perspective was employed. Results: During 2000-2002, expenditures totaled just over $324 million to develop, deliver, evaluate, and litigate the truth campaign. The base-case cost-utility analysis result indicates that the campaign was cost saving; it is estimated that the campaign recouped its costs and that just under $1.9 billion in medical costs was averted for society. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the basic determination of cost effectiveness for this campaign is robust to substantial variation in input parameters. Conclusions: This study suggests that the truth campaign not only markedly improved the public's health but did so in an economically efficient manner.Increasing youths' exposure to a tobacco prevention media campaign in rural and low-population-density communities
AbstractDuke, J. C., Vallone, D. M., Allen, J. A., Cullen, J., Mowery, P. D., Xiao, H., Dorrler, N., Asche, E. T., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
99Issue
12Page(s)
2210-2216AbstractObjectives. We examined the effectiveness of a program to increase exposure to national "truth" tobacco countermarketing messages among youths in rural and low-population-density communities. Methods. A longitudinal survey of 2618 youths aged 12 to 17 years was conducted over 5 months in 8 media markets receiving supplemental advertising and 8 comparison markets receiving less than the national average of "truth" messages. Results. Confirmed awareness of "truth" increased from 40% to 71% among youths in treatment markets while remaining stable in comparison markets. Over 35% of all youths who were unaware of the campaign at baseline became aware of it as a direct result of the increased advertising. Youths living in rural and low-population-density communities were receptive to the campaign's messages. Conclusions. Through purchase of airtime in local broadcast media, the reach of a national tobacco countermarketing campaign was expanded among youths living in rural and low-population-density areas. This strategy of augmenting delivery of nationally broadcast antitobacco ads can serve as a model for leveraging limited tobacco control resources to increase the impact of evidence-based tobacco prevention campaigns.Issues, priorities, and political implications for cancer : An organization's perspective
AbstractHealton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
Journal of Cancer EducationVolume
24Issue
SUPPL. 2Page(s)
S24-S25Abstract~The Strategic Dialogue on Tobacco Harm Reduction: a vision and blueprint for action in the US
AbstractZeller, M., Hatsukami, D., Healton, C., Backinger, C., Benowitz, N., Biener, L., Burns, D., Clark, P., Djordjevic, M., Eissenberg, T., Govino, G., Hecht, S., Henningfield, J., Husten, C., Kobus, K., Leischow, S., Levy, D., Marcus, S., Meyers, M., … Warner, K. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
Tobacco ControlVolume
18Issue
4Page(s)
324-332Abstract~Unintended Consequences of Tobacco Policies. Implications for Public Health Practice
AbstractHealton, C., Vallone, D., & Cartwright, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
American journal of preventive medicineVolume
37Issue
2 SUPPL.Page(s)
S181-S182Abstract~A Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update
AbstractHealton, C., & Fiore, M. C. (n.d.).Publication year
2008Journal title
American Journal of Preventive MedicineVolume
35Issue
2Page(s)
158-176Abstract~Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 update U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline executive summary
AbstractHealton, C., Fiore, M. C., & et, al. (n.d.).Publication year
2008Journal title
Respiratory CareVolume
53Issue
9Page(s)
1217 - 1222Abstract~A closer look at smoking among young adults : Where tobacco control should focus its attention
AbstractGreen, M. P., McCausland, K. L., Xiao, H., Duke, J. C., Vallone, D. M., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
97Issue
8Page(s)
1427-1433AbstractObjectives. We sought to fill gaps in knowledge of smoking behaviors among college-educated and non-college-educated young adults. Methods. We used data from the 2003 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey to analyze smoking behaviors among young adults aged 18-24 years and older young adults aged 25-34 years by college status (enrolled, or with a degree, but not enrolled) and other measures of socioeconomic position. Results. Current smoking prevalence among US young adults aged 18-24 years who are not enrolled in college or who do not have a college degree was 30%. This was more than twice the current smoking prevalence among college-educated young adults (14%). Non-college-educated young adults were more likely than were college-educated young adults to start smoking at a younger age and were less likely to have made a quit attempt, although no differences were found in their intentions to quit. Higher rates of smoking in the non-college-educated population were also evident in the slightly older age group. Conclusions. Non-college-educated young adults smoke at more than twice the rate of their college-educated counterparts. Targeted prevention and cessation efforts are needed for non-college-educated young adults to prevent excess morbidity and mortality in later years.Building a united front : Aligning the agendas for tobacco control, lung cancer research, and policy
AbstractGritz, E. R., Sarna, L., Dresler, C., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and PreventionVolume
16Issue
5Page(s)
859-863AbstractOur society bears a tremendous public health burden from tobacco-related disability and death, particularly in the realm of cancer. Yet research in lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases research is dramatically underfunded when compared to the number of people affected. Persuading policy makers to increase funding for tobacco-related research, treatment, and policy initiatives will require considerable cooperation among the researchers, clinicians, and advocates who focus on tobacco control and those who concentrate on tobacco-related disease. Traditionally, these groups have battled over resources, expending precious energy competing for scarce funding. We propose a new way forward: these forces should come together in support of a common agenda that includes both increased tobacco control efforts and additional funding for disease-related research and treatment. Speaking with a unified voice in support of a full continuum of tobacco-related policy initiatives would significantly increase the size and influence of the coalition working to address this public health epidemic. Working together offers our nation the best chance of significantly reducing the scourge of disease and death caused by tobacco use.Do tobacco countermarketing campaigns increase adolescent under-reporting of smoking?
AbstractMesseri, P. A., Allen, J. A., Mowery, P. D., Healton, C., Haviland, M. L., Gable, J. M., & Pedrazzani, S. D. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Addictive BehaviorsVolume
32Issue
7Page(s)
1532-1536AbstractThis study assesses whether a national anti-tobacco campaign for youth could create a social context that would elevate social desirability response bias on surveys, as measured by an increase in under-reporting of smoking. This could give rise to data that falsely suggest a campaign-induced decline in youth smoking, or it could exaggerate campaign effects. Data were obtained from a national sample of 5511 students from 48 high schools that were matched to schools sampled for the 2002 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Self-reported smoking was compared with biochemical indicators of smoking, measured using saliva cotinine. The rate of under-reporting detected was 1.3%. Level of truth® exposure was not related to under-reporting. This study suggests that for high school students, anti-tobacco campaigns are not an important cause of social desirability responses on surveys, and that in general under-reporting smoking is not a major source of error in school-based surveys.Hollywood quits - Behind the scenes of a Hollywood-based smoking cessation program
AbstractNides, M., Hund, L. M., Carothers, S., McCausland, K. L., Duke, J. C., Xiao, H., Balaoing, M., Dale, L. C., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
31Issue
6Page(s)
705-718AbstractObjectives: To develop, implement, and assess the efficacy of a comprehensive, evidence-based smoking cessation program for entertainment industry workers and their families. Methods: Study participants were recruited from 5 outpatient medical clinics and a worksite setting. Tobacco use data were collected during the initial counseling visit and at 6-month follow-up. Univariate and multivariate regressions were used in analysis. Results: More than 50% of participants (n=470) self-reported 7-day abstinence at follow-up. The majority of participants used combination cessation medications, with more than 50% still using at least 1 medication at 6 months. Conclusions: This evidence-based smoking cessation program using behavioral counseling and combination pharmacotherapy was successful with entertainment industry workers.Reducing carcinogen levels in cigarette smoke [4]
AbstractGritz, E. R., Sarna, L., Dresler, C., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and PreventionVolume
16Issue
10Page(s)
2171Abstract~Women's knowledge of the leading causes of cancer death
AbstractHealton, C., Gritz, E. R., Davis, K. C., Homsi, G., McCausland, K., Haviland, M. L., & Vallone, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
9Issue
7Page(s)
761-768AbstractThis paper describes adult women's knowledge of the leading causes of cancer mortality among women. Exposure to antismoking advertisements or media messages also is examined as a potentially effective mechanism for changing inaccurate beliefs. We used data from the 2002 and 2003 American Smoking and Health Survey (ASHES), a national telephone survey of adults, to measure women's knowledge about cancer mortality. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihoods of women indicating either breast or lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. The independent influence of individual characteristics such as race, smoking status, education, and awareness of antismoking messages or advertising on women's knowledge of cancer mortality was assessed. Overall, 66.7% of women inaccurately indicated breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women, whereas 29.7% of women correctly indicated lung cancer. Black women were 43% less likely than White women to indicate lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Current smokers were 35% less likely than noncurrent smokers to state that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Awareness of antismoking messages or advertisements was associated with a higher probability of correctly indicating lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Our evidence suggests that antismoking media messages may help to correct inaccurate beliefs about the leading causes of cancer death among women.Findings and implications from a national study on potential reduced exposure products (PREPs)
AbstractHund, L. M., Farrelly, M. C., Allen, J. A., Chou, R. H., St. Claire, A. W., Vallone, D. M., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2006Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
8Issue
6Page(s)
791-797AbstractTobacco companies have recently introduced products that they claim have reduced toxins and carcinogens, and that they say may be less harmful to smokers. These are potential reduced exposure products, or PREPs. This study measured smokers' awareness of PREPs, use of PREPs, interest in trying PREPs, and beliefs about the regulation of PREPs. This study was based on nationally representative data collected in 2002 and 2003 through the American Smoking and Health Survey. The final sample included 1,174 adult smokers. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted to produce estimates and explore potential correlates of the outcomes. A total of 41.9% of adult smokers reported having heard of at least one of the PREPs measured, and 11.0% reported having tried one of these products. Half of adult smokers (49.9%) said they would like to try PREPs. Interest in trying PREPs was associated with having made a quit attempt, being concerned about the effect of smoking on one's health, and having a household income of less than US$20,000. About half of adult smokers (49.1%) incorrectly believed that PREPs are evaluated for safety by the government before being placed on the market, and 84.2% believed that the government should evaluate the safety of PREPs before they are sold to consumers. This study provides new and timely information on the use of, interest in trying, and beliefs about the regulation of PREPs among a nationally representative sample of adult smokers. With half of adult smokers interested in trying PREPs, the need for concrete scientific evidence on the potential impact of these products is critical.Perspectives from the front lines of tobacco control
AbstractBurrus, B., Northridge, M. E., Hund, L., Green, M., Braithwaite, K., Sabol, B., Healton, C., & Treadwell, H. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2006Journal title
Journal of health care for the poor and underservedVolume
17Issue
1 SupplPage(s)
124-142AbstractThis research is designed to share valuable experiences and transferable principles from program staff of the Legacy/Community Voices initiative who have been involved in planning, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining tobacco control activities in underserved communities. Interviews were conducted with 13 front line staff from 9 sites: Alameda County, California; Detroit, Michigan; El Paso, Texas; Ingham County, Michigan; Miami, Florida; New Mexico; North Carolina; Northern Manhattan; and West Virginia. A model emerged from these interviews that places the life cycle of a program in a central position, with many of the identified themes (working with local champions, obtaining support from multiple partners, increasing organizational capacity) repeated throughout, albeit in different forms at different stages. Reflecting upon wisdom gained and identifying best processes for such work may help ensure that tobacco control programs are developed that are culturally safe and effective in meeting the needs of diverse communities throughout the United States.Public Health Reports : Foreword
AbstractMartin, K., & Healton, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2006Journal title
Public Health ReportsVolume
121Issue
5Page(s)
487-489Abstract~